Gram Parsons -- see artist profile
Johnny Paycheck - see artist discography
Herb Pedersen "Southwest" (CBS/Epic, 1976)
(Produced by Mike Post)
The consummate sideman and team player, guitarist/banjo plunker Herb Pedersen enjoyed stints in the Desert Rose Band, Old And In The Way, the Dillards and a bazillion other bluegrass and roots-country bands, including his own Laurel Canyon Ramblers. Over the years he's backed stars such as John Prine, Vince Gill, and Emmylou Harris and dozens of others... This is one of his rare solo albums, an intriguing country-rock outing that mixes a variety of styles and themes... There's the yearning hippie-era mysticism of "Jesus Once Again", folkie musings about growning old, the pure bluegrass twang of "Can't You Hear Me Callin'," and more lavish country-rock tunes that were the style of the time. The album's highlight is the irresistibly propulsive singalong song, "The Hey Boys," as groovy a go-off-the-grid dropout anthem as you're every likely to hear. And e brought plenty of his pals along for the right: Emmylou Harris harmonizes on the somewhat sappy (but also quite sweet) "Our Baby's Gone," about watching your child grow up, while guitarist David Lindley noodles away on songs like "Rock 'N' Roll Cajun." Admittedly, this is an uneven album -- I bought it ages ago so I could hear "The Hey Boys," which I remembered from my KFAT days -- but it has some nice stuff on it, and it's certainly a good reflection of its times. Definitely worth checking out.
Herb Pedersen & Chris Hillman "At Edward's Barn" (Rounder, 2010)
A nice, unpretentious live set, with two old country-rock/bluegrass/Americana veterans playing straightforward acoustic versions of classics from the Southern California roots-music scene of the 1960s and '70s. The repertoire includes familiar faves by the Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Hillman's old Desert Rose Band, and an old Louvin Brothers tune or two. There's something gratifying about hearing these guys introducing a song like "Wheels" and matter-of-factly remembering when and why it was written. It's particularly nice to see Pedersen in the spotlight again: if they'd included a version of "The Hey Boys," that woulda been fun, too. If you're a fan, you'll get a kick out of this album.
Colleen Peterson "Beginning To Feel Like Home" (Capitol, 1976) (LP)
This little-known solo debut showcases Canadian-born Colleen Peterson at her best -- rootsy, funky, twangy and down-home, kind of like a more-country version of Bonnie Raitt. I'd never heard of her before, either, but this soulful Canadian had a nice, bluesy style, that sort of funky crossover that folks were into back in the '70s. She wasn't the greatest singer, but this is a strong album nonetheless, with a good backing band that included Dick Feller (of all folks!) on guitar, as well as Randy Scruggs and Lloyd Green providing some solid steel work. Interesting song selection, too, with tunes by Rusty Wier, Charlie Rich, Jesse Winchester and Mississippi John Hurt (!), as well as a couple of songs written by Peterson herself. Not the most amazing record ever, but I'm still glad I found a copy...
Mary Kay Place "The Ahern Sessions: 1976-1977" (Raven, 2001)
A welcome twofer reissue combining two albums recorded by actress Mary Kay Place during her tenure as the TV character Loretta Haggers, on the fabled Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman soap comedy, 1976's Tonite! At the Capri Lounge Loretta Haggers and Aimin' to Please from 1977. Ms. Place -- or should I say Ms. Haggers? -- had an A-list studio crew backing her up, including members of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and numerous Nashville heavyweights, with sonic sculpting by Emmylou's best producer, Brian Ahern. The overall sound will be pretty familiar to Emmylou's fans: spacious, round-toned harmonies, rock-friendly twang, traditional honkytonk instruments in a well-defined soundscape, and plenty of sweet picking from the likes of James Burton, Albert Lee and Rodney Crowell, and guest singers that include Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. Some of the songs are better than others: I think they really hit their rhythm on the second album, taking things a little more seriously in some ways than on the first... Highlights include "Vitamin L" (a staple on the Mary Hartman show), a funky cover of Bobby Braddock's "Something To Brag About" and a sublime version of "You Can't Go to Heaven (If You Don't Have a Good Time)," which is probably the best and most sincere song of the set. If you like that whole Hot Band/Happy Sack production style, you'll want to check this one out!
John Prine -- see artist profile
The "twangcore" and "Americana" boom of today owes a large debt to the shaggy twangers and no-hit wonders of yesteryear -- this section looks at the hippiebilly and stoner bands and a few odd, random artists from the 1960s, '70s and early '80s, back before there was anything called "alt-country." This page covers the letter "P."
