The Steel Guitar Forum

I guess what I should ask is, Roger who do you consider being great singers in country music? I know who my list is comprised of, but maybe it would be more pertinent to know who consider being best singers in country music. If you list Rockin' Sydney or some others of his caliber I won't consider your list valid.

As for Michael’s response about the talent of Dale Watson or Jim Lauterdale I would agree both men are super talented singers, but if I were going to clear off a portion of the airwaves to add a traditional country singer I wouldn’t do away with Strait, Chesnutt, or the others like them, I would hit the pop country singer list and get country radio back to being country radio again. Oops, now I did it, I have wicketed this subject off into a black-hole which if I am not careful will get this thread cancelled. <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Kenny Burford on 26 June 2006 at 01:59 PM.]</p></FONT>

In this small part of the state of Texas, whenever we see that folks are a bit shy to take to the dance floor, all we have to do is play a couple of G.S. tunes and the dance floor gets packed.

(Off topic, but another thing that packs the dance floor is to play "I Fall To Pieces".

Lee, from South Texas

Roger,
"Strait sounds pathetic when compared to the worst Merle Haggard record".

That statement is Objective. George is far from pathetic or mediocre, so we can agree to disagree.

Roger sounds like the kind of guy who would complain if he was hung with a new rope.

Roger must be a Kris Kristoffersen fan. Maybe William Hung.

I think G.S. is a good country singer, and I would cross the street to see him. I have a couple of his records, the early ones. His bands are great, it's a good package. There's also no question about whether or not it's "real" country music.

But I do, somewhat, understand the 'blandness' issue raised. He's a good middle-of-the-road country singer, but I have trouble getting excited about his music the way I do about Hank Sr., George Jones, Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Lefty Frizzell, and several other truly great - IMO - country singers. He doesn't evince the pain and soul of these older singers singing about hard times and suffering. But why should he?

To me, he carries the torch for real country singing for the boomer generation, IMO. He sings in a style that has produced amazing commercial success. Who's to say he couldn't put out the great chops and emotionality if that's what was called for? I've seen great musicians hold back their full prowess to garner commercial success. His voice has very good tone, but is very laid back. Sort of like the people of this generation - do you really expect boomers to authentically sing about the hard times and suffering growing up - in fairly comfortable middle-class surroundings? This is fairly good-time music about normal people living normal lives. I suppose if music always has to be gut-wrenching and emotional, that's a problem, but I think there's room for anything as long as it's good. As always, my opinions.

<SMALL>...do you really expect boomers to authentically sing about the hard times and suffering growing up - in fairly comfortable middle-class surroundings?</SMALL>

Not while they're wearing neatly-pressed jeans, I don't...

Who do I consider good singers in the country genre?

I've already mentioned Haggard. I know he was heavily influenced by Lefty Frizzell, but I consider Merle to have a better 'instrument'. I will also add George Jones - he has amazing dexterity and real style.

In the modern era, I'm impressed by Joe Nichols, and Joe Diffie (although I hate his southern rock-styled material); check out his 'Ships That Don't Come In'. Randy Travis has real ability, too, as does Lee Ann Womack. Mandy Barnett is another.

It makes little difference to me how many #1s these people have had - I'm talking about their technique.

Kristopherson? NO!!!! Good song-writer, but no voice to speak of.

Kenny: There's my list, but will you consider it 'valid' if it doesn't coincide with yours?

Erv: I don't think I was complaining - just expressing an opinion. I don't mind not liking Strait - and I have no need of his records.

It would certainly be a miracle if anyone's mind was ever changed by a Forum 'discussion'. We're all quick to endorse someone's view if it confirms our own, but that's about it.

If anyone's still reading this, please note that I'm talking about musicality here - not the number of hits, or air-plays that they might receive. I'm aware that Strait (and Alan Jackson - another artist who is enormously successful, but doesn't have a great voice - in my view) is something of an icon with country afficionados, but that shouldn't place him above reproach.

RR <font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Roger Rettig on 26 June 2006 at 11:36 PM.]</p></FONT>

Roger,

I for one have really appreciated your posts. Your tastes are more in line with my own.

It all comes down to ones personal taste and truly those mentioned by Roger above, I would have to agree with his choices.But it boils down to another reason GS is popular. He is a package of commercialism. Good looks,good songs,good band,good stage presence,Gigantic fan base,good enough voice with a great delivery,good lifestyle. A promoters marketable dream. Haggards and Jones voices were enough to cover all those bases as their lifestyles were somewhat different. Would I rate GS in the top three best country voices? No surely not, but I would rate him high certainly high enough for me to have bought and performed most of his hits. I just plain like George Strait. Whatever he may or not be, he is a total success. How did he get there? The old fashion way,he earned it.

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Florida:Where its not against the Law to get caught Steelin.

I love Gearge Strait's music. I have been inspired by his early music to his latest, though the latest gets a little popish to me. I think he is real squared away. I think he is a family man, that invested his money well, and raised his family to be workers on their family ranch. George is a team roper, has fine quarter horses, and to me, lives a fine exemplary life. He sees his dreams, and goes after them. He has what he has, because he worked hard for it. And he built his country music career on good solid country music. He is loyal to his band members to a fault, and takes care of those who are close to him, family and friends. My heart went out to George several years ago when some stupe ripped off his blue heeler cowdog. It tore George's heart out to lose that dog, and I can relate to that. But that's what I think about George Strait and his music. I believe he's Cowboy as it get's, and Country as it gets, and George has CLASS. If anyone knows some dirt on George, keep it to your self. I like my little fantacy world just as it is!

As someone who sings this stuff week in and week out I'm a little bit surprised the side I'm taking in this debate. I'm a huge Merle, Buck, Waylon, Johnny Paycheck and George Jones fan and normally sing 4 hours plus of this material every week. And I would consider myself a middle of the road G. Straight fan and rarely cover his stuff.

But to me it is a lot harder to sing the G. Straight stuffs. Maybe it's the lack of emotion or lack of "drastic" dynamics in his singing. But maybe that is what makes him great. I know when it comes to playing steel it's not always what you play but what you don't(remember the quote from Jimmy Day about playing fast/showing off?).
Maybe that's the same way with GS's singing, or what people appreciate in it.

It's fun to show off singing, maybe its ringing the heck out of a song like Merle, or growl like Conway, or wail like Waylon. But it's also impressive to deliver a song the way George does(not my cup of tea, but I appreciate it still).

Just my 2 cents on it.

Roger, I don’t take exception to one person you have cited as being a great country singer the only difference between us is my list is longer. The best part about Haggard and Jones is when you listen to their recordings it is like a trilogy. You have the recording they made in their youth, those made during middle age and now during their aging years. Because of their vast experience and talent they can deliver a song with a presence that few other singers can match and I feel the same way about Mr. Price and Willie Nelson.

As for Joe Nichols, Joe Diffie, Lee Ann Womack and Randy Travis they are great singers too and I sincerely hope their recordings careers last as long as the four individuals I cited in the first paragraph. Unfortunately I am not aware of Ms. Barnett’s recordings, but I will make it a point to purchase some.

Also, I believe in everyone’s right to express their opinion about a performer, but in all fairness to Mr. George Strait, how many of his number 1 radio releases do you believe he actually got to pick? I would imagine that the majority of songs picked for release to the radio were done by the suits at the record company.

I brought my copy of “GEORGE 50 NUMBER ONES STRAIT,” album with me to work today so I could listen to it again and I will take my own turn at taking pot shots from the readers on the Steel Guitar Form. The only songs I just don’t care for are: Love Without End; If I Know Me; So Much Like My Daddy; and The Best Day. But they are well written songs and Strait sings them great, but they are just not to my taste.

OK now you can bast my taste how's that for fairness?

Kenny,

It's funny you mentioned "So Much Like my Dad"... While reading through this current thread, I thought about one from a couple of years back, where Buddy had listed that song as one of his two favorite he had recorded on as well as discussed some details of how he came up with his part. I don't think I ever really paid much attention to that song until I read his post and went back and really listened to the music. Actually, I'm quite fond of that song now as a result.

Just think about the thousands of songs Buddy has recorded on and the different artists he's recorded with... and "that" song is one of his two favorites. Wow! I like it if for no other reason than that.

http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum15/HTML/005380.html


Respectfully,
dBurr<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dave Burr on 27 June 2006 at 12:19 PM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Dave Burr on 27 June 2006 at 12:19 PM.]</p></FONT>

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica">quote:</font><HR><SMALL>
that shouldn't place him above reproach.
</SMALL><HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you for that, Roger. I agree.

There's alot of sanctification goes on in here sometimes. I think it's silly, and all it does is discourage people from voicing well-thought, articulate opinions. It also prevents the Steel Guitar Forum from being a source of meaningful opinions and information.
Perhaps we need a Cheerleading section.

-John
p.s. I like George Strait, but I understand when someone finds it a bit sterilized and airbrushed.

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www.ottawajazz.com

I agree and the same thing could be said about other artist mentioned.

Thanks to everyone who's responded to my opinions (and that's all they are - my opinions), and for keeping this discourse nice and civilized!

It's occasionally pointed out to me that I place too much emphasis on smoothness and professionalism, and that I find it hard to listen to stuff that's a bit 'rough around the edges'. I accept this criticism, and I'm aware that there's a danger of me missing some invigorating music as a result.

That's the 'flaw' in my judgement that won't allow me to enjoy Willie's singing, either - it's a bit amateurish for my taste.

In the end, it's all down to personal taste, isn't it?

As a last word (?), I can safely say that my favourite singer of ALL is Ray Charles. He had it all - powerhouse emotion, yet great chops, and a master piano-player to boot! He was also very fond of Buddy Emmons' playing, which is, in my book, the final stamp of approval ....

Mr Strait and Mr Jackson will continue to prosper, continue to make country records, and will do it all with a total disregard for my thoughts on the matter - and thank goodness for that!

A good discussion!

RR

George Strait is one of the few on so called "country" radio today who actually SOUNDS very much like country music.

Alan Jackson is right beside him in my book as far as sticking to a true country sound.


I dont listen to it enough to give everyone on the radio a fair shake, but no one else comes to my mind as sounding like country music on a so called "country" station.