This week's entry is another that is well-deserved in my opinion, and is certainly a departure from most of those listed before it. The Byrds - Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968)

At one inspired stroke, Sweetheart vanquished the cultural divide between acid-munching, peace-preaching long hairs and beer-swilling, flag-waving good old country boys by creating the enduring hybrid of country-rock. Allying rippling guitars and silky vocal harmonies with a mix of country tradition (I am a Pilgrim) and Gram Parsons originals, the record irrevocably altered the perspective of two previously averse streams of Americana. The group even cut their hair to play the Grand Ole Opry. Without this there would be no Hotel California, no Willie Nelson, no Shania Twain.

Boy, they had me right up until the "Without this" part. Hotel California? Please. Shania Twain? Give me a break! What about "real" country rock artists like Neil Young? Poco? New Riders of the Purple Sage? The Flying Burrito Brothers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Commander Cody, and more recently Uncle Tupelo, the Jayhawks, the Meat Puppets and Sun Volt?

Thoughts? Comments?

Swish