Country
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Passionate endings, fond farewells, sad separations or stimulating solitude, name songs that capture or reflect on a moment when two or more people are parted, says Peter Kimpton
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Country’s always loved an ode to liquor, but today’s stars are binging on booze ballads and making the genre a little stale, writes Grady Smith
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The country veteran’s latest collection of oldies, favourites and the odd new track makes for hugely comfortable listening, writes Neil Spencer
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Notes and queries Hank Williams boasted ‘I got a hot rod Ford and a two dollar bill’ – what other songs have been deflated by inflation?
Readers answer other readers’ questions on subjects ranging from trivial flights of fancy to profound scientific concepts -
Sia and Chet Faker among the big winners at Australian music awards, but 5 Seconds of Summer and One Direction leave young fans weak at the knees
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It’s the night when the biggest names in Australian music take home spiky triangular pyramids. We’ll be watching it on TV and live from the red carpet. Join us and share your thoughts
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Slinky neo-soul from Hiatus Kaiyote, vintage country from the Western Shore and the dark synth-pop of Grace
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While the success of RaeLynn’s single means that country is less male-dominated, the lyrics are as sexist as those of her male peers, writes Grady Smith
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This collection of rare tracks by indigenous musicians from Canada and the northern US is a timely reminder of marginalised voices and plain great music, writes Kitty Empire
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Decision by two high-profile figures means gay country artists could find coming out easier, but Nashville has some way to go before its homophobia problem is solved
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Just hours after Herndon confirmed he has been in a relationship with a man for five years, fellow country star Billy Gilman also reveals that he is gay
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Musician, 51, says that he believes acceptance of the LGBT community is growing within the country music industry
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Girls numbers leave the biggest impression, though the former frontman’s new country gospel set is easy to admire, writes Malcolm Jack
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The Lone Star state provides us with politicised southern rock, inventive post-rock and mystery instruments on this week’s playlist
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The poor sales of his comeback album Man Against Machine show that taking a stand against the modern music business only works if you’re Taylor Swift
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Originally published in the Guardian on 12 November 1968: At the end of the live album there is an official announcement: “Please hold your seats until released by the officer.” Then the bang of bolts driven back
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Featuring both pedal steel guitars and light-up suits, with a couple of pop interlopers thrown in, the Country Music Association awards offered a night of highs and lows
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Stomping gospels and country weepies make up this set of hugely enjoyable originals, writes Robin Denselow
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The Basement Tapes have never before been heard in their entirety. Now, with the official release of all 138 songs, Dylan expert Clinton Heylin examines the myth and the reality of one of rock’s seminal long-lost masterpieces
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Review Bob Dylan and the Band: The Basement Tapes Complete review – rickety, strange and utterly timeless
5 / 5 starsWhether or not the 138 songs on this uber-bootleg six-CD box set really did change the course of rock music, the best bits are as good as it gets, writes Alexis Petridis -
Pink, last seen belting out hits while swinging through the air with topless hunks, has taken up country music. She tells Michael Cragg why it’s a ‘fun hang’
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Technically and stylistically complex, the fingerpicking shines brightest on the old standards, writes Neil Spencer
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Artist releases his first album since 2009’s Roadsinger, a declaration of freedom which features new material and covers reworked with strands of blues and roots
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Grady Smith: Why are the CMA awards giving pride of place to pop stars when country’s most talented women are left outside the spotlight?
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Nikki Lane has the joint jumping with a barnstorming set while the Delines provide a languid contrast with elegiac tales of troubled souls
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The founding father of rock’n’roll remains a defiant presence with a little help from his stellar friends, writes Neil Spencer
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What becomes of the brokenhearted? They should play some banging tunes, advises our musical agony aunt’s alter ego Dr Crotchety
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The gravitas and authenticity of Campbell, who sings unflinchingly about Alzheimer’s in his final single, is part of a country music tradition, writes Grady Smith
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Review Justin Townes Earle/Lindi Ortega review – heartbreak songs from Nashville's finest
3 / 5 starsMama’s boy Justin Townes Earle proves he’s his father’s son, while Dolly-esque Lindi Ortega is destined for headliner status
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Nick Tosches: ‘I could take that there tape-recorder and shove it up your …’ As the country star prepares for the release of his new album Rock & Roll Time, here’s an interview originally published in Country Music in October 1979
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Pop singer Pink teams up with punk rocker Dallas Green for an album full of delicate folk harmonies and drowsy acoustic guitars, writes Caroline Sullivan
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Pop mega star P!nk - real name Alecia - has joined up with the City and Colour frontman. We’ve got a stream of the album ahead of its release, so let us know what you make of it
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Why do metropolitan indie types such as Christopher Owens, Mystery Jets and and Iceage insist on ‘going country’?
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Review Various: Look Again to the Wind review – homage to Johnny Cash’s radical 60s album
4 / 5 starsThe country giant’s tribute to Native Americans is given an impressive makeover on its 50th anniversary, writes Neil Spencer -
Tim Dowling's Weekend column Tim Dowling: I've just played Nashville. And it's left me feeling a little strange
My band is honoured and excited to have been asked to play at Nashville. In my case, I'm also shit-scared