The Editorials
Crow Country
Written by Jeff Krasky
The rumor that Sheryl Crow might make a country record in the next couple of years has been flying around lately. My question is, could we really be that lucky? Country music is in desperate need of a change. Long time country fans feel alienated by the pop direction the music has taken and many of the younger pop-rock audience Nashville labels are trying to target have spent more of their time laughing at most of the music instead of listening to it. No one on Music Row seems interested in doing anything about it. They spent all of 1999 releasing the same formulated music that was a failure in 1998. Instead of doing something about it, they kept on course and dug themselves and even deeper grave. Talk about slow learners. The good news is Sheryl Crow might be exactly the medicine the doctor ordered.
I’ve been a big fan of Sheryl Crow for years. After the success of her debut album Tuesday Night Music Club Crow could have sat on her laurels. She didn’t. 1996 brought us her self-titled sophomore album. Sheryl’s image was different; her sound was a big departure from the music contained on her debut release. The end result? Her music remained fresh and continued to sell well. With her third release The Globe Sessions nearing double platinum status and her new live album on the shelves Crow has taken her position as arguably the queen of rock-and-roll. The wonderful thing about it was she did it without sacrificing her right to be innovative as an artist. Each album has brought something fresh to the table and because of that she’s developed a loyal fan base eager to pick up whatever her newest release might be. I know I am.
Why would Crow be good for country music? There are a number of reasons. One, I would bet large sums of money on the fact that she would put out an album like we’ve never heard in country music before. The reason? I really don’t think she gives a damn what the labels would have to say about it. The course her music has taken seems to prove that she’s the one in control of her music. Not some accountant sitting in a record labels office. We need that kind of attitude desperately. Number two, Sheryl can write some impressive tunes. Let’s face facts, most of the writing coming out of Nashville in the last few years has sucked. If you need an example look at Lace’s debut release, which features some of the most awful writing I’ve ever seen. You might also notice that their album’s saving grace is a tune penned and recorded by Sarah MacLachlan. Which just proves that all the good writing isn’t happening in Nashville. Number three, just take a look at “Strong Enough” from Sheryl’s live album to see just what she can do for country music. The Dixie Chicks join Sheryl in a duet of the hit song from her debut effort.
There is no doubt that country music needs a change. The amount of major stars that have been able to break through and have any kind of impact has been minimal. Maybe what this industry needs is a few big stars from other genres who have the talent to make top quality country recordings and the overall appeal to make a major impact release country records. It could be the thing that turns us around.
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