Vinyl Me Please Country

Ain't nothing wrong with being a Yee-ho who was a former Yee-no. Welcome aboard Pardner
Absolutely. That's my case too. Maybe I wasn't as vocal as Nathan with my dislike of Country music, but I sure have overcome a bunch of prejudices about the genre and I'm now enjoying a great process of discovery.
 
- Said the guy who was super vocal about his hatred of country music 😜
I am slowly warming up to the genre but overall I still am not a fan of country music at all really! I won’t be purchasing the May or June Country ROTM’s as they are a bit too ‘country’ sounding for me and they just aren’t albums I’d want to spin. Shotgun Willie has great production though and I think that album is special! The same goes for Live At Folsom Prison!

It just happened that the first two Country ROTM’s are classic albums and are two very highly respected and loved albums in the ‘country’ world!
 
How long ago did the country track start? I was a VMP subscriber way back in the early days, haven't been in a long time, but was really interested in the country. Added to waitlist but don't know how often they open it.
 
How long ago did the country track start? I was a VMP subscriber way back in the early days, haven't been in a long time, but was really interested in the country. Added to waitlist but don't know how often they open it.
Just started last month so no idea how long before spots open.
 
I am slowly warming up to the genre but overall I still am not a fan of country music at all really! I won’t be purchasing the May or June Country ROTM’s as they are a bit too ‘country’ sounding for me and they just aren’t albums I’d want to spin. Shotgun Willie has great production though and I think that album is special! The same goes for Live At Folsom Prison!

It just happened that the first two Country ROTM’s are classic albums and are two very highly respected and loved albums in the ‘country’ world!
Have you given Metamodern sounds a listen lately? I know you've said you're not into Sturgill, and I feel like your preconception of his music is getting in the way of your enjoyment of that album. If you're digging Shotgun Willie I see no reason why you wouldn't like Metamodern Sounds. I know they are different, but I don't see how Sturgill is "too country" and Willie Nelson isn't.
 
Have you given Metamodern sounds a listen lately? I know you've said you're not into Sturgill, and I feel like your preconception of his music is getting in the way of your enjoyment of that album. If you're digging Shotgun Willie I see no reason why you wouldn't like Metamodern Sounds. I know they are different, but I don't see how Sturgill is "too country" and Willie Nelson isn't.
I did give Metamodern Sounds a listen and I wasn’t much of a fan, but that is mainly due my musical taste and not the quality of the album! Willie Nelson’s sound is probably considered more ‘country’ compared to Sturgill. As a result, I’d didn’t like the two Willie Nelson store exclusives; I tried with them back then when they were released, but I just couldn’t! Shotgun Willie in my opinion is very different in sound to an album like Troublemaker ! Shotgun Willie is a bit more pop in sound and has quite a few jazzier tracks, some tracks with beautiful guitar solos and there’s quite a variety of instruments in the more upbeat songs. Some of the tracks here also sound quite contemporary!

Shotgun Willie is really different to Willie Nelson’s two other albums VMP did store exclusives of, and I think is less country in sound to Sturgill’s Metamodern Sounds.

I don’t prefer Shotgun Willie though, just because it’s less country and more soulful in my opinion compared to Metamodern Sounds, I think Shotgun Willie is a brilliant album! I just don’t connect to Metamodern Sounds! I like Dolly Patton’s Jolene more than Metamodern Sounds, and that album is more of that sweet, tonky country sound in comparison!
 
I did give Metamodern Sounds a listen and I wasn’t much of a fan, but that is mainly due my musical taste and not the quality of the album! Willie Nelson’s sound is probably considered more ‘country’ compared to Sturgill. As a result, I’d didn’t like the two Willie Nelson store exclusives; I tried with them back then when they were released, but I just couldn’t! Shotgun Willie in my opinion is very different in sound to an album like Troublemaker ! Shotgun Willie is a bit more pop in sound and has quite a few jazzier tracks, some tracks with beautiful guitar solos and there’s quite a variety of instruments in the more upbeat songs. Some of the tracks here also sound quite contemporary!

Shotgun Willie is really different to Willie Nelson’s two other albums VMP did store exclusives of, and I think is less country in sound to Sturgill’s Metamodern Sounds.

I don’t prefer Shotgun Willie though, just because it’s less country and more soulful in my opinion compared to Metamodern Sounds, I think Shotgun Willie is a brilliant album! I just don’t connect to Metamodern Sounds! I like Dolly Patton’s Jolene more than Metamodern Sounds, and that album is more of that sweet, tonky country sound in comparison!
If you haven't already checked out Phases and Stages, which was Willie's next album after Shotgun Willie, I highly recommend it too. My favourite of all his records!(Shotgun being a close second.) I was really really hoping for a AAA VMP store drop the day they put out all the M.I.A.
 
I did give Metamodern Sounds a listen and I wasn’t much of a fan, but that is mainly due my musical taste and not the quality of the album! Willie Nelson’s sound is probably considered more ‘country’ compared to Sturgill. As a result, I’d didn’t like the two Willie Nelson store exclusives; I tried with them back then when they were released, but I just couldn’t! Shotgun Willie in my opinion is very different in sound to an album like Troublemaker ! Shotgun Willie is a bit more pop in sound and has quite a few jazzier tracks, some tracks with beautiful guitar solos and there’s quite a variety of instruments in the more upbeat songs. Some of the tracks here also sound quite contemporary!

Shotgun Willie is really different to Willie Nelson’s two other albums VMP did store exclusives of, and I think is less country in sound to Sturgill’s Metamodern Sounds.

I don’t prefer Shotgun Willie though, just because it’s less country and more soulful in my opinion compared to Metamodern Sounds, I think Shotgun Willie is a brilliant album! I just don’t connect to Metamodern Sounds! I like Dolly Patton’s Jolene more than Metamodern Sounds, and that album is more of that sweet, tonky country sound in comparison!

My Willie just arrived today. It sounds awesome, so pleased that the pressing is good, I've had real bad luck with a lot of the GZ pressings lateley.

Just reading through what you said, and I think your'e spot on. I really like a lot of country & really dislike a lot of country. This is a great, classic album where it just all comes together. I think part of that is down to the production. You mentioned a pop & jazzier sound, I suspect part of that is down to the fact it's been recorded in New York & produced by Arif Mardin, who produced the Atlantic run of Aretha titles amongst others.

edit - and Jerry Wexler on a few tracks

edit 2 - it's one of those records where I almost want to get a second copy because I know I'll play it loads & probably end up scratching it.
 
My Willie just arrived today. It sounds awesome, so pleased that the pressing is good, I've had real bad luck with a lot of the GZ pressings lateley.

Just reading through what you said, and I think your'e spot on. I really like a lot of country & really dislike a lot of country. This is a great, classic album where it just all comes together. I think part of that is down to the production. You mentioned a pop & jazzier sound, I suspect part of that is down to the fact it's been recorded in New York & produced by Arif Mardin, who produced the Atlantic run of Aretha titles amongst others.

edit - and Jerry Wexler on a few tracks

edit 2 - it's one of those records where I almost want to get a second copy because I know I'll play it loads & probably end up scratching it.
Glad to hear its good, Im looking forward to getting my copy!
 
If you haven't already checked out Phases and Stages, which was Willie's next album after Shotgun Willie, I highly recommend it too. My favourite of all his records!(Shotgun being a close second.) I was really really hoping for a AAA VMP store drop the day they put out all the M.I.A.
I agree! My Willie big 3:

1) Red Headed Stranger
2) Phases and Stages
3) Shotgun Willie
 
Playing my copy today and this sounds fantastic. Ryan Smith has been on fire with recent VMP releases and this may be the best yet. All around great package, high quality pressing and this just sounds amazing. So happy with how the VMP Country sub has started.
Shotgun Willie sounds great for me. Really nice album.
 
Anyone else have cyclical crackling on the last song of side B on Shotgun Willie? Its weird because I don't see any sort of visible defect but can hear it despite multiple vacuum cleanings. Just want to make sure its not some tape issue before I ask for a replacement. Thanks!
 
Can anyone vouch for any of the Phases and Stages pressings? The pricing is all insane right now, so I’m probably in a wait and see mode anyway.
I picked up a clean copy of this...
... back in 2017 off eBay for like $14 shipped and it sounds great...not $85 great like the crazy person is currently trying to sell their copy on Discogs thinks it’s worth but if you find a copy in good condition for under $20 it would be worth picking up.
 
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