There's always a problem when choosing 'The 10 Most...' of anything. What one person considers the best is not necessarily what another person considers the best. It's only an opinion.
That aside, and with due respect to any country singer or country song not mentioned, here are 10 of what are considered by many to be the most influential country albums of all time.
Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger (1975)
Not wanting to join the 'Nashville Set', Willie Nelson recorded this concept album 'as is' and flatly refused to polish it up to placate his music bosses at Columbia. 'Red Headed Stranger' became a crossover sensation and included classic tracks such as 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' and 'Time of the Preacher'. Willie Nelson at his very original and best.
Ray Charles - 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' (1962)
This 'Ray Charles sings country' album saw the singer combine a number of honky-tonk standards with a more conventional soul sound, and is considered one of the best albums he ever produced. It's hard to deny that 'I Can't Stop Loving You',' You Win Again' and 'You Don't Know Me' are not all-time favourites.
The Byrds - 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' (1968)
Said by many critics to be the most influential album of its time, 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' is alleged to have been responsible for the birth of Country-Rock. A strong input by the legendary Gram Parsons assured it of success, and the way they mixed the gospel song 'The Christian Life' with the R&B song 'You Don't Miss Your Water' made the album worth every penny.
The Dixie Chicks - 'Wide Open Spaces' (1998)
This album, their fourth, had something for everyone. A clever mix of bluegrass and contemporary country found favour with traditional and mainstream listeners alike. 'Wide Open Spaces' also saw the long awaited commercial breakthrough for the group and featured tracks such as 'There's Your Trouble', 'I Can Love You Better' and the title track 'Wide Open Spaces'.
Kris Kristofferson - 'Kristofferson' (1970)
Following the release of this album in 1970 Kris Kristofferson was soon dubbed 'the Bob Dylan of country music'. Generations of singer-songwriters were influenced by the lyrics and style of songs like 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' and 'Me and Bobby McGee'. If proof were ever needed as to the quality of Kris Kristofferson's work it came when songs from this album were later covered by artists such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Gordon Lightfoot. Praise indeed.
Dolly Parton - 'Coat of Many Colors' (1971)
Until the release of this album in 1971 it was not widely known just how good a songwriter, as well as a singer, Dolly Parton was. The majority of the albums songs were written by Dolly herself, including the title song 'Coat of Many Colors', which became her first solo hit. This album became the inspiration for Dolly to write even more, turning her into one of country music's finest singer-songwriters.
Waylon Jennings - 'Honky Tonk Heroes' (1973)
Believed by some to be one of the greatest country albums ever recorded, 'Honky Tonk Heroes' put Waylon Jennings right up there with the top country artists of the period. Many also believe this album launched the 'Outlaw Movement', but even if it didn't, it allowed Jennings to thumb his nose at Nashville and all it stood for. Billy Joe Shaver wrote all the songs (except one), and combined with Jennings wonderful baritone voice and some brilliant arrangements, 'Honky Tonk Heroes' began a new genre of country music.
Loretta Lynn - 'Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)' (1967)
A very accomplished album by one of country's leading female singers. Loretta Lynn's strong personality showed through on every track, and the way she dealt with the difficult subjects of sex and drink inspired other songwriters to do the same. This album included a number of her best songs 'Tomorrow Never Comes', 'There Goes My Everything' and the title track 'Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind).'
Clint Black - 'Killin' Time' (1989)
A major breakthrough in mainstream/country crossover was achieved with this debut album by Clint Black. Rising quickly to the top of the charts with the help of unprecedented FM radio airplay, 'Killin' Time' was a phenomenal success. It has been said that without the achievement of this album it would have taken other crossover artists, such as Garth Brooks, much longer to make the breakthrough.
Johnny Cash - 'At Folsom Prison' (1968)
'At Folsom Prison' was recorded as part of a series of 'Jailhouse Concert Tours' Johnny Cash did as part of his 'rebel outlaw' image. The tracks are recorded live, and with his rich voice accompanied by some wonderful guitar playing, Cash showed his social skills were never lacking. The influence these 'jailhouse tours' had on the inmates can be summed up by saying that one inmate in particular, having attended a concert at San Quentin, was so inspired he took up country music himself. His name? Merle Haggard.
So there you have it. The 10 Most influential Country Albums of All Time.
That aside, and with due respect to any country singer or country song not mentioned, here are 10 of what are considered by many to be the most influential country albums of all time.
Willie Nelson: Red Headed Stranger (1975)
Not wanting to join the 'Nashville Set', Willie Nelson recorded this concept album 'as is' and flatly refused to polish it up to placate his music bosses at Columbia. 'Red Headed Stranger' became a crossover sensation and included classic tracks such as 'Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain' and 'Time of the Preacher'. Willie Nelson at his very original and best.
Ray Charles - 'Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music' (1962)
This 'Ray Charles sings country' album saw the singer combine a number of honky-tonk standards with a more conventional soul sound, and is considered one of the best albums he ever produced. It's hard to deny that 'I Can't Stop Loving You',' You Win Again' and 'You Don't Know Me' are not all-time favourites.
The Byrds - 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' (1968)
Said by many critics to be the most influential album of its time, 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' is alleged to have been responsible for the birth of Country-Rock. A strong input by the legendary Gram Parsons assured it of success, and the way they mixed the gospel song 'The Christian Life' with the R&B song 'You Don't Miss Your Water' made the album worth every penny.
The Dixie Chicks - 'Wide Open Spaces' (1998)
This album, their fourth, had something for everyone. A clever mix of bluegrass and contemporary country found favour with traditional and mainstream listeners alike. 'Wide Open Spaces' also saw the long awaited commercial breakthrough for the group and featured tracks such as 'There's Your Trouble', 'I Can Love You Better' and the title track 'Wide Open Spaces'.
Kris Kristofferson - 'Kristofferson' (1970)
Following the release of this album in 1970 Kris Kristofferson was soon dubbed 'the Bob Dylan of country music'. Generations of singer-songwriters were influenced by the lyrics and style of songs like 'Sunday Morning Coming Down' and 'Me and Bobby McGee'. If proof were ever needed as to the quality of Kris Kristofferson's work it came when songs from this album were later covered by artists such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Gordon Lightfoot. Praise indeed.
Dolly Parton - 'Coat of Many Colors' (1971)
Until the release of this album in 1971 it was not widely known just how good a songwriter, as well as a singer, Dolly Parton was. The majority of the albums songs were written by Dolly herself, including the title song 'Coat of Many Colors', which became her first solo hit. This album became the inspiration for Dolly to write even more, turning her into one of country music's finest singer-songwriters.
Waylon Jennings - 'Honky Tonk Heroes' (1973)
Believed by some to be one of the greatest country albums ever recorded, 'Honky Tonk Heroes' put Waylon Jennings right up there with the top country artists of the period. Many also believe this album launched the 'Outlaw Movement', but even if it didn't, it allowed Jennings to thumb his nose at Nashville and all it stood for. Billy Joe Shaver wrote all the songs (except one), and combined with Jennings wonderful baritone voice and some brilliant arrangements, 'Honky Tonk Heroes' began a new genre of country music.
Loretta Lynn - 'Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind)' (1967)
A very accomplished album by one of country's leading female singers. Loretta Lynn's strong personality showed through on every track, and the way she dealt with the difficult subjects of sex and drink inspired other songwriters to do the same. This album included a number of her best songs 'Tomorrow Never Comes', 'There Goes My Everything' and the title track 'Don't Come Home a Drinkin' (With Lovin' on Your Mind).'
Clint Black - 'Killin' Time' (1989)
A major breakthrough in mainstream/country crossover was achieved with this debut album by Clint Black. Rising quickly to the top of the charts with the help of unprecedented FM radio airplay, 'Killin' Time' was a phenomenal success. It has been said that without the achievement of this album it would have taken other crossover artists, such as Garth Brooks, much longer to make the breakthrough.
Johnny Cash - 'At Folsom Prison' (1968)
'At Folsom Prison' was recorded as part of a series of 'Jailhouse Concert Tours' Johnny Cash did as part of his 'rebel outlaw' image. The tracks are recorded live, and with his rich voice accompanied by some wonderful guitar playing, Cash showed his social skills were never lacking. The influence these 'jailhouse tours' had on the inmates can be summed up by saying that one inmate in particular, having attended a concert at San Quentin, was so inspired he took up country music himself. His name? Merle Haggard.
So there you have it. The 10 Most influential Country Albums of All Time.
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