Country & West Coast: The Birth of Country Rock [IMPORT]

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: June 27, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Big Beat UK
• ASIN: B000FG5NHE
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,816 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Big Beat continues its acclaimed retrospective appraisal (Clarence White, Gosdin Brothers et al) of vintage country rock with a fabulous and definitive primer, proving there was life long before the Eagles. "Country & West Coast" showcases the artists and records that are equally cherished by both long time country rock fanciers and the hipster alt.country crowd, and is designed with a fresh and passionate perspective upon this oft-maligned genre.

For the first time, the emergence and flowering of country rock in the late 1960s and early 1970s is chronicled in a listenable collection that features defining moments from the genre’s big guns, including the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons, Michael Nesmith, Gene Clark and Poco. By its very title, "Country & West Coast" is heavily California-centric, but other key players, such as Ian & Sylvia, Jerry Jeff Walker, Pure Prairie League and the Lovin’ Spoonful are featured, providing an expansive and objective overview of the development of country rock.

"Country & West Coast" also shines light on previously neglected but no less worthy examples of the late 60s country rock renaissance, such as Guilbeau & Parsons, the Gosdin Brothers (with an unissued cut) and Johnny Darrell. Darrell was one of the first country acts to look beyond Nashville, via his early cover of Lowell George’s ‘Willin’’. The CD also features hard-to-find gems by the Corvettes (Linda Ronstadt’s backing band) and the Spencers, rarities that will excite even the most jaded of aficionados.

In customary Ace style, the package boasts top-notch sound and an informative, well-illustrated booklet that carefully documents the incestuous LA country-rock fraternity, via fresh interviews with many of its participants. Putting aside historical concerns however, "Country & West Coast" is sequenced for maximum impact and makes a great soundtrack for both inquisitive Mojo-reading enthusiast and the mainstream high street-shopping Eagles fan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Some good old friends an some discoveries!, August 22, 2006

By	Francisco Suarez Beltran (Madrid, Spain) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Essential 60's-early 70's country-rock collection. Before owning this, in my record collection there were Byrds, Gram Parsons, Flying Burrito Bros, International Submarine Band, and Gene Clark records (a man whose music, personally, I love as much as Gram Parsons'). But I suposse it's difficult to find/own/have heard before many of the gems contained in this CD. I have bought it recently, and in my first listenings I've been amazed by the Corvettes tune or the Praire League, and by the songs of some people who didn't made too much country rock stuff: John Philips and my beloved ones, The Loving Spoonful. And there are songs that I've compilled for me and my friends and relatives many, many times: Gene Clark's Why not your baby and Tried so hard (such a wonderful song which has been covered by the Fariport Convention, The Flying Burrito Bros, Yo la Tengo... a song I will never get tired of). Perhaps, the only thing I miss is some Buffallo Springfield-early Neil Young songs which I thing could have shared the spirit of the compilation. Anyway, I must say that (compiller and folk-rock-garage-pop erudite) Alec Palao has given us again a must for the 60's music aficionado. He sure had disscussed the tracks for hours with Sid Griffin, maybe one of the few other people who I would trust on doing this compilling work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Collection, February 2, 2009

By	A music lover from Duluth, GA - See all my reviews

This is really a great collection with very good sound. Sure there's no Dylan and no Buffalo Springfield, but what is here is great.