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So disappointed in today's Americana

I make it a habit of getting the Grammy nominated Americana albums from the library each year. Past years have introduced me to much new music, some good, some bad, some treasures (TajMo for example). This year I just listened to Brandi Carlile's cd 'By the way I forgive you', nominated for best Americana roots album. OMG it is unlistenable! You would think singer / songwriters would strive for a pristine recording that highlights their lyrics and mostly acoustic arrangements. No - it is a sonic mess, compressed all to hell. To quote my wife "Turn that crap off". End of rant. 
mcondo
reubent
6,935 posts
 
@mcondo - Like @slaw , I enjoy the music on "By the way, I forgive you....", but I don't love the SQ. Brandi Carlile sits on the periphery of pop music, so it's no wonder the album is compressed to heck.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,403 posts
 
I would put Rosanne Cash’ latest 3 lps in the Americana camp that should be listened to by all.
gpgr4blu
1,077 posts
 
For those of you who have Brandi's latest album (which I like but which is far from her best), check out "The Story". A truly great album. I always enjoy listening to her voice.
slaw's avatar
slaw
20,403 posts
 
@gpgr4blu ,

Thanks for mentioning "The Story". I own all of her stuff on vinyl except that one. Just ordered it.

( I thought her last showed a noticeable maturity in song writing)
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,412 posts
 

@mcondo, I don’t know your age, so am not going to assume you know about the album and the group of musicians who made it that are largely credited with being a primary source of inspiration and guidance in all things Americana; the one, the only, The Band and their 2nd, self-titled album, also known as the brown album. Absolutely essential listening!

The original Capitol pressing (look for the mastering engineer’s initials---RL, for Robert Ludwig---scratched into the run-out by the LP’s label) is good, as is the newest version (2013) on Mobile Fidelity LP (MFSL 1-419) and SACD (UDSACD 2129).

At least as good is their debut, Music From Big Pink. Original LP’s are plentiful (though finding a Mint or Mint- copy is not easy), and again there is a newish (2008) Mobile Fidelity pressing available on LP (MFSL 1-346) and SACD (UDSACD 2044). This past September Capitol Records did a 50th Anniversary reissue of MFBP on both LP and CD, and in a deluxe boxset. The boxset is more than all but the obsessed really need, but I'm hoping they do the same for The Band's second album this year!

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