Am I the only one who thinks country's best era was 1948-1956?
 

Yeah, I know, there's good country music to be found in any era if you dig for it a little. But when it comes to the years I mentioned, you usually get a token nod toward Hank Williams, and not much else.

But for many reasons, which I'll go into if this thread occasions any replies at all, this is the era for me. Not only for the songs and the distinctiveness of the various artists, but for the sound on the records.

Again, more to follow if there's any interest at all. I can talk at length on this subject, but will do so only others want to as well.

1927-maybe 35

Bristol Sessions and other recordings shortly thereafter.

Tell me more. I'm interested in older country but I don't own much from that era. I'd be curious to check out some recommendations.

I really dislike the clearly limited recording equipment on records that old. Basically, I don't bother with anything recorded before the 60's. I can enjoy songs the origins of which are older than that. Even several hundred years older! ... but they have to have been recorded on gear that actually sounds nice.

But sometimes the old crackly recording is part of the charm.

Yeah I suppose, but it bothers me a lot when it comes to the vocals.

2013-present is the best. Sturgill Simpson era.

For me, I like the 20s thru some of the early 70s; if you want to include countrypolitan and bluegrass for instance.

What's countrypolitan?

It's a kind of what smooth jazz is to jazz.
Chet Atkins spearheaded a movement of
making country music more commercial by
getting rid of all of the hillbilly/honky-tonk
parts of it and concentrating on big productions
with a smoother sound. Think Jim Reeves,
Patsy Cline, Charlie Rich, Don Gibson, etc.
Later to be known as the Nashville Sound.
It's considered an attempt at getting country
back in the charts after the introduction of the
new music of rock 'n' roll.