Synopses & Reviews
Country music is hot, and this is the complete guide to its performers and their top recordings
-- Covers the entire spectrum of country -- from 1920s hillbilly yodelers to 1990s Nashville superstars
-- Country music constitutes one-sixth of current U.S. recorded music sales
-- With 70 million listeners each week, country radio is the largest radio format in the U.S.
Though country's roots are in 1920s Appalachian music, today its appeal extends worldwide. Performers like Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and Patsy Cline embody the essence of country, along with contemporary innovators like k. d. lang and Lyle Lovett.
The All Music Guide to Country leads country lovers to more than 4,000 first-rate recordings by over 700 artists. Readers can learn about traditionalists such as "Singing Brakeman" Jimmie Rodgers and contemporary crossover stars like Garth Brooks, second only to the Beatles in overall record sales.
Artists are listed alphabetically and briefly profiled. Their best CDs, albums, and tapes are then concisely reviewed and rated by noted critics.
More than 20 essays and "music maps" chart country's evolution, exploring hillbilly and string band styles; gospel influences; honky tonk; women of country; fiddle, banjo, steel guitar, mandolin, and more; western swing; cowboy music; contemporary and progressive country; country-rock, pop, blues, and folk crossover styles; bluegrass; Nashville and Music Row; the Grand Ole Opry; and country radio.
Synopsis
The only complete guide to country music, performers and first-rate recordings, this easy-to-use book leads country lovers to the cream of the crop in all styles, from the 1920s hillbilly music to today's crossover craze with rock and pop. Covers over 1,000 artists and more than 5,500 of their best albums.