Country Albums Your Parents Had That You’ll Want to Hang Onto

In the 21^st  century we have become accustomed to listening  to music through non tangible means, on-air and on-line.

There was a time however when we were younger that music could be consumed and owned tangibly. Vinyl albums, cassettes and CD’s were purchased, shared and cherished.

Physical albums are becoming more desired again as everyone realizes that one coded attack, one corporate decision or even an artist dispute potentially could be a barrier between us and the music we love.

If you grew up in an era of physical music chances are your parents and or grandparents had copies of some seminal releases that helped burnish the country legends from our past into our memories and hearts.

Keep on the lookout for these old school releases from generations ago:

Johnny Cash – “At Folsom Prison” (1968)

Recorded over 2 shows this live effort of 17 tracks revitalized the career of the man in black. “At Folsom Prison” was such a hit that Cash recorded and released live albums from three other prisons over the next eight years. Also be on the lookout for the various Cash “American Recordings” releases

Willie Nelson – “Red Headed Stranger”

With well over 100 studio albums released starting in 1962 “Red Headed Stranger” from 1975 was Willie’s first to go platinum, stripped down, raw and authentic concept album it features the title track and “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain”, and “Remember Me”.  Also seek out Willie’s 1978 – “Stardust”

Dolly Parton – “Coat of Many Colors”

Her 1971 release is a touchstone of country credibility. Pure, honest and in some cases autobiographical, “Coat of Many Colors” was a country star bearing her soul. Ultimately allowing Dolly to become more than a product Nashville was selling. She bet on herself and won.  Also find Dolly’s “Jolene” from 1974

George Jones & Tammy Wynette – “Golden Ring”

Recorded over 16 months in Nashville while their marriage was falling apart (they divorced in 1975) the Country power couple that were stars individually were also the perfect storm of talent and volatility that the public couldn’t get enough of. Featuring “Near You” and the title track, both sides are full of palpable pain.

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Honorable mentions: Waylon Jennings – “Honky Tonk Heroes” (1973), Merle Haggard – “Mama Tried” (1968), and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band – “Will the Circle Be Unbroken” (1972)