So here's my Country/Western mix. I hardly expect this to be a popular download, but I've been listening to these songs quite a bit lately. This ranges all over the place, from weird folk pop (the Kenny Rogers song) to Western Swing (Boxcar Willie's covering of "San Antonio Rose") to Bread ripoffs (Don Williams) to songs that are essentially Blues cuts (Patsy Cline's "Hungry for Love"). This is all classic country music, none of that shit that I grew up thinking was country music. I've left the stuff I've grown to love over the years (Hank, Cash, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Bob Wills, etc...), but there's several covers paying tribute to them, so their footprints are felt. I also wish a few Jim Reeves songs could've made it on here, too. But I'm preparing to send this computer away for repair and wanted to get this up and out before doing it. That said, I'm embarrassed I don't know more Patsy Cline, because pretty much every song of hers is absolutely beautiful. I know she has 2 songs here, as does Conway Twitty. They're worth it, trust me. I was very close to having two seperate artists with the name Billie Jo on here. In time, I might make another one, but this will work for now. I may have posted Patti Page's "Tennessee Waltz" here before, but what can I say I love that song. Thank Keith Richards and the movie Zabriskie Point.

One of my biggest complains about music I don't like is that I have no place to listen to it in my life. This covers a lot of different things, and to be honest I never thought I'd have much use for Country music. Which is odd, considering I listen to Blues and Bluegrass probably once a day at least). But I've found that Country music is good in several instances for me.
1) Cooking. if you're taking the time to make yourself and loved one(s) an actual meal, put this on. It's almost tailor made to accompany simmering sauces, sizzling oil, and melting butter.
2) Drinking. I'm not talking about your nights out a tthe club. I don't mean telling your bartender to put this on. I'm speaking specifically of 2 scenarios. The first is in a filthy, smoky bar, surrounded by older men by themselves with a lot on their minds. In this case, there should be a jukebox with plenty of other Country music on there. The second, though, is that rare wonderful form of warm weather, outdoor drinking with friends, at a leisurely pace and with friends. ah yes. Clearly you can combine the above two activities. Maybe not barbecue music, but how about after the sun goes down, near a still-hot grill?
3) Long drives. This is a time-honored tradition. I just never understood why until recently.
Or play this while you're doing whatever you damn well want. I've been listening to these songs while I work with great results. I wouldn't recommend working out to this, or running, but anything that isn't strenuous should work. Anyway, here we are:

Rock, Flag & Eagle: Cotton's Second Wave of Country that doesn't suck.
1. "Wild Side of Life" - Freddy Fender
2. "Rhythm & Booze" - Buck Owens
3. "Paths of Victory" - Anne Muray
4. Six Days on the Road" - Dave dudley
5. "Walkin' After Midnight" - Patsy Cline
6. "Big Train" - Conway Twitty
7. "Happiness of Having You" - Charley Pride
8. "I Don't Claim to Be an Angel" - Kitty Wells
9. "Shine On Ruby Mountain" - Kenny Rogers & the First Edition
10. "King of Fools" - Ed Brice
11. "The Pill" - Loretta Lynn
12. "Please Help Me I'm Falling" - Hank Locklin
13. "San Antonio Rose" - Boxcar Willie
14. "Linda On My Mind" - Conway Twitty
15. "Stand By Your Man" - Lynn Anderson
16. "In the Jailhouse Now" - Webb Pierce
17. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Billie Jo Spears
18. "Cold Cold Heart" - Jerry Lee Lewis
19. "Girl Left Alone" - Dolly Parton
20. "Hungry for Love" - Patsy Cline
21. "Take My Hand Awhile" - Don Williams
22. "The Tennessee Waltz" - Patti Page

Running time: 53:33
49.9 MB

Download here.

and yes, "The Pill" is about birth control. how progressive is that? Enjoy.

Thanks to the venerable Paper for finding this clip on Youtube.