Where To Watch
You've never heard these country albums, but they're classic gold!
Not even the biggest music fans have listened to all of these!
The Everett Collection
Sometimes, even the most ardent music fans miss a great album here or there. That's why we've stepped in to offer a few choice cuts that we think deserve more of a listen!
Whether you're a real music buff or just a casual listener, we hope you'll enjoy this list of overlooked country music albums. Chances are, some might be brand new to you! Give them a listen, and enjoy!
1. Steve Young— "No Place to Fall"
Highlights of this 1978 outlaw country album include covers of Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt classics. For fans of: Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Guy Clark.
2. Lefty Frizzell— "Listen to Lefty"
William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell is the definitive honky tonk singer, defining the sound for decades to come with his smooth, baritone vocals. Everyone from George Jones to Willie Nelson cited Lefty as an example, and this is his greatest album. For fans of: Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, Randy Travis, Ray Price.
3. Elizabeth Cotten— "Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar"
This one-time maid for the Seeger family is an absolute fingerpicking all-timer. Cotten is one of the most influential guitarists of the roots music revival era, and didn't even begin recording until she was in her 60s! Her track "Freight Train," which she wrote at just 12, became a hit in the UK. For fans of: Chet Atkins, Taj Mahal, Barbara Dane, Dock Boggs
4. Hayes Carll— "Lovers and Leavers"
With organs and a Memphis blues-inspired sounds, this album fits snuggly into the "alt country" category that was popularized well ahead of its 2016 release. “Hitchhiking, bus riding, rental cars, living rooms, coffee houses, run-down bars, 10,000 people or alone under the stars, it’s all for the sake of the song.” If that line ain't country, we don't know what is. For fans of: Shooter Jennings, Luke Bell, Chris Stapleton, Gillian Welch
5. Jerry Jeff Walker— "Viva Terlingua"
Recorded in Luckenbach, TX in August of 1973, "Viva Terlingua" is among the greatest live albums in country music history. The Lost Gonzo Band's loose, inspired playing gives the impression that life's a party for these musicians on the road. You might know him for writing "Mr. Bojangles," but here, Walker is at his all-time best singing Guy Clark's "Desperados Waiting for a Train." For fans of: John Prine, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Hank Williams, Jr.
6. Robbie Fulks— "Georgia Hard"
A fiercely intelligent singer songwriter, Fulks here channels his love for countrypolitan songsmiths like Shel Silverstein. The album both plays to Fulks' strengths and belies his interest in moving beyond his chosen genre. Snarky songs like "Countrier Than Thou" are sure to alienate some, but those who stick around are in for a clever, contemporary treat. For fans of: Dwight Yoakum, Charlie Robison, Buck Owens & His Buckaroos, Deke Dickerson, Bobby Bare, Jr.
7. Mickey Newbury— "Heaven Help the Child"
The rare country songwriter who meaningfully paired genuinely smart songcraft with commendable chart success, Newbury wasn't afraid to utilize some non-country influences in shaping his sound. While he doesn't get the accolades he deserves, his peers rightly recognize Mickey Newbury as one of the greats. For fans of: Tom T. Hall, Billy Joe Shaver, Lee Clayton, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson
