Oldtimey, relatively, now

For some reason, my iTunes Genius has begun to recommend (only at the complete and total loss of my personal privacy) John Anderson songs. I had forgotten about this fine singer, lurking in the back of my digital library, who has ably represented real country music over the course of his career. Here, he sings a couple of fine gen-yoo-ine country songs, ca. 1983:

• Would You Catch a Falling Star?
• Wild and Blue

Then, when they had him pegged as a New Traditionalist, or a Country Roots guy, or whatever, he broke a mess of rules with Swingin'. It is still a potent instrument - he recently used it to rock Charleston, WV, among other places.

He has a new album out, to mixed reviews (look, the Voice is always there, the material can be a little hit-or-miss). And, as you probably know, he's playing Buck Owens' Crystal Palace in Bakersfield August 15th.

Road trip!