Patty Loveless

"You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive" is one.

As is "The Last Thing on My Mind".

So blame it on your lying, cheating, cold deadbeating, Two timing, double dealing, mean mistreating, loving heart

I got a kick out of that song and the video, too. Patty Loveless is a classic.

I heard of her two days ago.


Most Nashville stuff is kinda crappy. I'm more of a Bloodshot kinda guy.

I do like Gretchen Wilson tho.

there`s very few albums in blue grass-mountain music that is as good as that album. "sorrowfull angels" makes me cry. her voice in "sounds of loneliness" is truly amazing. she is one of the greatest singers in country music...

I like quite a few country singers, past and modern - but Patty will be looked at like Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette are. I still haven't gotten the new CD, but I will.

Sings like an angel. Again, she is a Bloodshot Records gal, but she can really sing.

For years I was telling folks about Loretta Lynn, and it took Van Lear Rose for everyone to come around.

It is nice that folks are finally listening to to real country music.

Southbound Plane...

Two classic songs....

I first thought that it was Dive South and I took one look at her and said, Hell Yea, I'd dive south but was very disappointed when it turned out she was talking about driving south...

Anyway, I saw her about ten or fifteen years ago at the county fair grounds....

She did those two songs. "Outbound Plane," not Southbound.

Drive South is a John Hiatt song and Outbound Plane is Nancy Griffith's.

Patty does a WONDERFUL version:
In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
That's the place where I traced my bloodline
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
"You'll never leave Harlan alive"

Oh my grandfather's dad crossed the Cumberland Mountains
Where he took a pretty girl to be his bride
Said "Won't you walk with me out the mouth of this holler
Or we'll never leave Harlan alive"

Where the sun comes up about ten in the mornin'
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you'll fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away

No one ever knew there was coal in them mountains
Till a man from the northeast arrived
Waving hundred dollar bills
Said "I'll pay you for your minerals"
But he never left Harlan alive

Grandma sold out cheap and they moved out west of Pikeville
To a farm where Big Richaldn River winds
And I bet they danced them a jig
And they laughted and sang a new song
"Who said we'd never leave Harlan alive"

But the times got hard and tobacco wasn't selling
And old grandad knew what he'd do to survive
He went and dug for Harlan coal
And sent the money back to grandma
But he never left Harlan alive

Where the sun comes up about ten in the mornin'
And the sun goes down about three in the day
And you'll fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away

You'll never leave Harlan alive

I lost track of her when I stopped listening to mainstream country radio several years ago but did see her on PBS a few times singing with Ralph Stanley on a bluegrass special. I used to have two of her CD's til someone stole every last one I had. Keep Your Distance is written by Richard Thompson of the old Fairport Convention and I really, really love his version but then it was the first version I ever heard. I can't listen to hers right now because the hubband is trying to sleep but will check it out later.

she knows how to pick 'em, fer shure.

and I think I like the original better, even tho I really do like Patty, I really love Richard Thompson! :)


You can hear the original by Richard Thompson here:

http://www.rtlist.net/

Click on "Listen To Him Now" and there are three of his songs.