Americana Before The Term Was Coined

Next off the shelf is a late seventies album by Rodney Crowell called Ain't Living Long Like This. At the time categorised as country rock it might now be called Americana since there are influences beyond pure country to bluegrass, New Orleans r'n'b and even calypso. There is also an impressive roster of guest musicians adding tasteful understated cameos; Emmylou Harris, Ry Cooder, Dr John, Amos Garrett, Willie Nelson, Albert Lee, Ricky Skaggs and Richard Greene amongst others. Crowell has a warm mellow voice and is a consistently interesting songwriter. Most of the tracks are original songs apart from a countrified version of he old Elvis hit A Fool Such As I. So, perhaps not an essential album but certainly a minor classic that repays investigation.