There are some images that are nearly impossible to shake, and one that's been stuck in my head since back in the dark days of the 1970s is that of the typical female country singer of that time. Hair piled on top of their heads, held in place with enough hair spray to create its own personal hole in the ozone layer, and wearing long sweeping dresses of either lime green or bright pink with a high neck. They'd sing with a mournful voice that was sure to crack when they reached the part about the guy who left her at the alter for his pickup truck.
In spite of the efforts of people like Emmylou Harris, Alison Krouse, Gillian Welsh, and others those visions of polyester and bee hives are still the first thing that comes to mind for me when someone mentions country singer and woman in the same breath. If I'm really honest, I have to admit that the number of people who I actually saw fitting that description were probably only a few, but such was my general feeling of animosity for country music in those days it became forever welded to my imagination.
Then along comes someone like Carrie Rodriguez, who has just released her second CD, She Ain't Me on Manhattan Records. She not only looks the complete opposite of those Bride of Frankenstein clones of my memory, but sings songs that don't make mention of pick-up trucks or hard drinking men and you want me to believe that she's a country singer. Sorry it just doesn't compute. Sure she was born in Austin Texas and plays fiddle and electric mandolin, which are definitely prerequisites for being a country singer, but have you listened to the lyrics of her songs or heard the quality of her voice?
Okay I know that's really unfair to a lot of people, but I've always had a love/hate thing with country music. Some of my favourite performers are considered country music singers, but the genre itself, what with the whole God and America thing and the stink of hypocrisy that holier than thou closet drinkers give off, has always repelled me. So when I hear a recording as thoughtful and interesting as She Ain't Me, I automatically don't want it to be lumped in with the music of the anti-Hank, Garth Brooks, and his ilk. I just can't see Carrie Rodriguez stooping to writing a sentimental song about God, country, the flag, and the need to kill people who look different.
Article comments
1 - Chuck
yep, she's special. i saw her open for - and then play with - Alejandro Escovedo in Seattle a few weeks ago. f*ckin' magical. i'd been wowed by her first solo record, so knew to come early. now i've lived with this record a bit and have to agree it's special too. she's on to something very cool. she puts on an amazing show too. her website says she's on Austin City Limits this week! the CD's she made as a duo with Chip Taylor didn't even hint at how cool she could be. one to keep an eye on!
2 - Dr. Don
It's Alison Krauss!!
3 - Ahem
It's Gillian Welch!