Part Three: Country and Grieving Songs

There are so many country artists I have enjoyed, but I have two particular favourites amongst the men. The first is Vince Gill, a singer-songwriter and guitarist who was invited by Mark Knopfler to join Dire Straits. He declined but went on to have a very successful career as a balladeer. Less well known is that he is a very fine guitarist, as he shows in this video. Love the driving rhythm, and it also features other great guitarists, including Albert Lee, who we met as a singer in episode 2.

The other singer I think highly of is old-timer Merle Haggard. You would be hard put to find any sax input in country music—it just wasn’t done. Except on this track. A sax solo right at the end. Super!

Haggard had a troubled youth and early adulthood, in and out of prison for larceny and suchlike crimes. In 1958, he was in San Quentin prison when Johnny Cash came to give a concert. This was inspirational for Haggard, who vowed to quit his criminal ways. This next song was inspired by two inmates with whom he was friendly—both on death row and subsequently executed.

The eighties saw the rise of this young fella, once married for a short time to actress Julia Roberts. He was a very creative songwriter, and I love his voice.

Herewith, Mr Lyle Lovett.

The Eagles disbanded in 1980 because of infighting. Thankfully, they reformed in 1994. Looking for any band that sounded a little like them, I came across this country band, Restless Heart. Not at Eagles level, but enjoyable to listen to. The lead singer has a good voice.

I enjoy bluegrass music—an acoustic, folky, hillbilly sound. One of the most notable bands is Alison Krauss and Union Station. Check them out. Another one, which I am going to play, is Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. Love the harmonies.

A close ally of bluegrass, and perhaps one of the earliest country styles, is gospel music. Again, in Drifting Too Far from the Shore, I am entranced by the harmonies, and the ending sends shivers up my spine.

We kick off with Reba McEntire and Whoever's in New England.

My favourite country lady up next. She has a great voice—Trisha Yearwood. I have all her albums, so difficult to choose just one song, but am especially fond of this one.

Yet another distinctive voice, Wynonna Judd from this era. The writer of this song died in July of this year, so we should celebrate this story of devotion.

Martina McBride is a woman of small stature but with a pair of magnificent lungs. One can find songs in country on any subject. This one's about domestic abuse and women's empowerment—and very powerful it is too, aided by the evocative video.

Now a song by the "Queen of Country Music", Tammy Wynette—best known for her song Stand by Your Man. I much prefer this song, written by Kenny Rogers.

Now for a singer and writer of thoughtful, intelligent songs—Mary Chapin Carpenter. Again, a singer with a substantial repertoire. Simply love this song and her treatment of it.

Last but not least is a trio who were known as The Dixie Chicks. Whilst on stage in London, they cast aspersions on the then US President, George W. Bush. It did not go down too well back home in the traditional country music community, and they were roundly excoriated. This song is a retort to those criticisms. Great song, great delivery.

One of my favourite American folk/country artists is Slaid Cleaves. Elder daughter and I went to his gig at Hitchin Folk Club a few years back. Slaid wrote this song, "Without Her", not about a woman but about his dog who died at the age of 18. This always reminds me of the pain of losing a beloved pet.

Guitar legend Eric Clapton wrote this following the death of his 4-year-old son, who fell out of a window of an apartment block in New York. Cannot imagine the pain gets any worse than this. A truly beautiful tribute.

Beth Nielsen Chapman, yet another accomplished singer-songwriter, wrote this song just a few weeks after the death of her husband from cancer, leaving her with a young son. Beth later remarried, only for that husband to die of cancer also. To top it all, Beth herself recovered from cancer. Some people do not have things easy. Another song worth checking out is "No One Knows But You", written around the same time.

Now, if you were hoping for a classic tale of regret, then you are in the right place. Great lyrics and great vocal performance from my favourite British blues singer, Paul Carrack. I'm a sucker for choirs. Here we have two!

This song and singer are pretty obscure. No memory of how I discovered it. The singer is singing to her dead brother, telling him of the life she is now leading and how wonderful it is. I am not sure I believe her. Leave you to decide. So poignant it hurts.

"Go Rest High on That Mountain" is a tribute by Vince Gill to a friend and his brother who both died. There is a version of this at the funeral of country legend George Jones, when Vince breaks down and it is a real tear fest. I am sparing you from that. This version includes Alison Krauss and Ricky Skaggs, who sang "Drifting Too Far from the Shore". We can all take a deep breath and relax after this one.