Not every song or album that is great today will stand the test of time. The same has been true since the beginning of recorded music. A rare few aren’t just good decades after their release, they’re perfect from front to back. Today, we’re going to look at four classic country albums that stood the test of time and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
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The albums below aren’t limited to the era of classic country music. However, they’re all at least fifty years old and the artists who recorded them are no longer with us. More importantly, all four of these records are flawless from start to finish.
1. Memorial Album by Hank Williams (1953)
MGM Records released Hank Williams’ Memorial Album months after he passed away on New Year’s Day in 1953. The songs on it weren’t new at the time. However, it was the first album to gather all of the country icon’s classic songs into one release.
The only thing that would make Memorial Album better is the addition of a few more songs. For instance, it doesn’t include “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” or “Six More Miles.” It does, however, contain timeless tracks like “Cold, Cold Heart,” “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Hey Good Lookin’,” and “Settin’ the Woods on Fire.”
2. John Prine by John Prine (1971)
John Prine was a master songwriter who released several flawless albums throughout his career. Today, though, we’ll look at his 1971 self-titled debut album. The album contains some of Prine’s most iconic songs and is the perfect introduction to his signature blend of humor, social commentary, and storytelling.
Prine’s debut album features “Illegal Smile,” “Sam Stone,” “Paradise,” “Angel from Montgomery,” and many more folk-leaning country classics. For longtime Prine fans, it’s a wonderful record to revisit as often as possible. At the same time, it is the perfect place for new fans to start their journey into his catalog.
3. Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings (1973)
Waylon Jennings’ Honky Tonk Heroes is a classic Outlaw Country album. It marks his full shift into the “outlaw” movement and features songs written by Billy Joe Shaver who was one of the subgenre’s unsung heroes. More than that, it served as a blueprint for countless artists who came after Jennings.
The title track, “Low Down Freedom,” “You Ask Me To,” and “Ain’t No God in Mexico” are among the tracks that ensured this album would withstand the test of time.
4. Old No. 1 by Guy Clark (1975)
Guy Clark was a master songsmith who released a wealth of standout albums during his long career. He is also credited with helping to develop the earliest version of Americana. However, his 1975 debut album Old No. 1 is a country classic.
It takes a few albums for some artists to find their stride but that was not the case for Clark. His debut release proved that he was just as polished and skilled as he needed to be. “L.A. Freeway,” “That Old Time Feeling,” “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” “Let Him Roll,” and “Like a Coat from the Cold” are among the timeless tunes that make Old No. 1 an album that will never get old.
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