I don’t follow mainstream country, so I have no idea what’s happening in Nashville. That said, I think there are many artists in the aughts who have made stellar country music. “Country,” in this case, refers to any music that has a twang, and that roughly falls into the general categories of country, alt-country, and roots music. If it sounds like country to me, it is, regardless of marketing demographics.
Favorite/Best Artist of the Decade
Buddy Miller, without a doubt. He’s been consistently excellent, whether recording solo albums, recording duets with wife Julie, or contributing as a sideman to the work of countless other artists. If Buddy’s involved, chances are it’s good-to-great. He’s got the Richard Thompson (another country artist, although his country is England) triple threat going: great songwriter, great guitarist, great singer.
Close, but No Honorary Stetson: Gillian Welch, Neko Case
Kids to Watch
Okay, some of them aren’t kids. But they’ve all emerged in the past ten years. Here are some upstarts who have contributed to a fine musical decade: Kathleen Edwards, Justin Townes Earle, The Avett Brothers, Devon Sproule, Hayes Carll, Kasey Anderson, Lori McKenna, Mando Saenz, Mary Gauthier, Ryan Bingham, Scott Biram, Southeast Engine, Holopaw, Deadstring Brothers, Dexateens, The Felice Brothers, Heartless Bastards, Lucero, and Two Cow Garage.
The Old Farts Still Have It
Kudos to Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle (minus half the material recorded during the Bush administration; W was not kind to Steve’s creativity), Loretta Lynn, Paul Burch, The Bottle Rockets, Calexico, Old 97’s, Willard Grant Conspiracy, Son Volt, Dave Alvin, Chris Knight, Drive-By Truckers, James McMurtry, and Webb Wilder. Some are a little longer in the tooth than others. But they’ve all been around for multiple decades, with no real diminishment of quality.
Most Disappointing Artist of the Decade
This will be disputed, no doubt, but Lucinda Williams takes the black ribbon. She’s recorded one very good album (World Without Tears), one mediocre album (Essence) and three stinkers (West, Little Honey, Live at the Fillmore). She can still muster up a wondrously raw, plaintive sound. But she’s forgotten how to write songs.
Favorite Albums
Buddy Miller — Universal United House of Prayer
Gillian Welch — Time (The Revelator)
Neko Case — Fox Confessor Brings the Flood
Thad Cockrell/Caitlin Cary — Begonias
Kathleen Edwards — Back to Me
Willard Grant Conspiracy — Regard the End
Jamey Johnson — That Lonesome Song
Chip Taylor/Carrie Rodriguez — The Trouble With Humans
Emmylou Harris — Stumble Into Grace
The Felice Brothers — The Felice Brothers
Southeast Engine — A Wheel Within a Wheel
Devon Sproule — Keep Your Silver Shined