Good Country recordings

Most of Lyle Lovett's recordings are audiophile quality. "Joshua Judges Ruth" is wonderful, both artistically and sonically.
Also, the new Drive By Truckers album is worth a listen.

I really like Johnny Cash's "Live from Folsom Prison" and "Orange Blossom Special" in addition to all of the American albums that he produced in his later years. Not really country either, but excellent records.

Willie Nelson has some incredible stuff out including "Willie and Family Live" and "The Red-Headed Stranger".

Steve Earle's Guitar Town is a great one, but borders on the Americana genre.

Dwight Yoakam has several great selections that sound fantastic. His big hit albums "This Time" and "There was a Way" are both excellent. His greatest hits record is also very good.

But, I think my favorite country album is David Ball's "Thinking Problem". I love this 1994 release and probably listen to it more regularly than any other country record I own.

Enjoy,

TIC

I guess it comes down to what type of country music do you like?

Old School, Classic Country (Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, others)
"Country Comes to Carnegie Hall"

Country-politan
Glen Campbell - "Wichita Lineman"

Female Country
Rosanne Cash - "Rules of Travel" or "Black Cadillac"

Elvis does Country
"Elvis in Memphis"

Outlaw Country
Willie Nelson - "It Will Always Be"

Bakersfield Country
Junior Brown - "Down Home Chrome"

Gonzo Country
Jerry Jeff Walker - "Live at Gruene Hall"

Regards,

Rich

The Flatlanders - Wheel of Fortune
Jimmie Dale Gilmore - One Endless Night
Dale Watson - From the Cradle to the Grave
Emmlou Harris -Wrecking Ball
The Derailers - Full Western Dress
Jim Lauderdale - Country Superhits Vol 1
Flying Burrito Brothers - Any
And of course, The Man "Johnny Cash"

The country/rock is pretty-well covered in the other thread. But I also like some of the Jesse Winchester and early Jesse Colin Young.

Keeping on the Jess(i/e) theme, I just picked up a Jessi Colter album this weekend from the mid to late 1970s called "I'm Jessi Colter" that not only sounds amazing, it is excellent music. (She was married to Waylon Jennings at the time but her talent is all her own.)

If you want to pick up some really nice sounding female vocals with great harmonies, good playing and good production, and DON'T LAUGH, get The Judds first two albums on vinyl.

I've found that most of the 1980s country stuff, even the digitally recorded Warner Bros stuff, sounds really good.