Haven’t been on DBR for several years. But I knew there’d be an excellent Off-Topic thread on COVID, so I’ve been reading that thread for awhile. And going to Off-Topic page, then glancing down the page, led me here.
Love these lists and commentaries. Really, it’s a good feeling seeing so many DBR folks who listen to the same stuff as do I. Let me recommend highly a radio station that I’m confident Asheville area folks especially will be aware of. I think it’s close to unique in its Americana-eclecticism. It’s WNCW, a little station located in “beautiful downtown Spindale,” southeast of Asheville on the campus of the curiously but appropriately named Isothermal Community College. Here’s a link:
https://www.wncw.org/
One can stream it by clicking “Listen live.” If you don’t know the station, with its amazing variety, I suggest you click on Programming, then Playlists. I think you’ll be impressed. Grateful Dead and its universe (Widespread Panic, Phish, etc.) on Weds nights. Jazz on Sat morns. Frank [Zappa] on Friday, late Fri night.
And —
special alert — I’m pretty sure many posters on this thread would enjoy tonight’s (Friday) 6-9 pm program, the “Cosmic American Music Show,” named after Gram Parson’s phrase. Many Friday nights — actually most M-F, 9 am-6 pm, too, — you’ll hear Jason Isbell, Tom Waits, Tedeschi-Trucks, Lucinda Williams, Tyler Childers, Honeycutters/Platt, Son Volt, Hiss Golden Messenger, M. Ward, Avett Bros, dozens of others listed in this thread. Admittedly interspersed with some “classic country,” some of which I like just fine. Last set every Fri night is “drinkin’ an’ honkytonk songs.” Last song every Fri night is Uncle Tupelo instrumental, “Sandusky.”
I’m a hermit, live in a smallish cabin literally in the middle of a forest on top of a western NC mountain. Naturally, being a hermit (or close enough) is an advantage in this difficult time. Music is a godsend for millions. And for the musical tastes of most of the posters on this thread, WNCW is your friend.
My own list could run into the hundreds. I’ll spare you, and keep it to maybe 25.
I start with a singer-songwriter, Maya de Vitry, former lead singer of The Stray Birds (saw them twice last few years at Grey Eagle in Asheville.) Two wonderful recent albums. Latest is “How to Break a Fall.” Just wonderful.
Dylan (never ages, for me)
Son Volt
Neko Case
Cowboy Junkies
Lake Street Dive
Western Centuries
Sarah Jarosz
Tom Waits
Levon Helm/Band
Corb Lund
Hayes Carll
Tyler Childers
Sturgill Simpson
Patsy Cline
Brandi Carlile
Nikki Lane
Kacey Musgraves
Bela Fleck
Jerry Douglass
Sam Bush
John Cowan
Lucinda Williams
Courtney Barnett
Robert Earl Keen
James McMurtry
And a couple more western NC guys, brilliant singer-songwriter lyricists — Chuck Brodsky, Aaron Burdett
I could list dozens and dozens more.
Thanks for your lists, this thread, DBR ... and WNCW.