Country music from a fan's point of view since 2008
Janie Fricke's 1982 album, It Ain't Easy
Lately, we’ve posted lots of pieces recommending singles and album tracks. The good folks over at Country Universe made it a weekly feature until a few months ago, so I’ve decided to pick up where they left off. Wednesdays are now officially recommendation days.
My recommended track this week comes from the year 1982. In the early 1980s during the Urban Cowboy craze, Janie Fricke rose to prominence scoring a string of 16 top 10 hits between 1981 and 1986, 7 of which went to #1. Janie’s second chart-topper has always been my favorite. ’It Ain’t Easy Being Easy’ employs the Urban Cowboy sound with Janie’s smoky vocal to create a country classic. The album it comes from, 1982’s It Ain’t Easy, spawned 4 top 10 hits and secured victories at the 1982 and 1983 CMA Awards for the singer as Female Vocalist of the Year.
So what’s your recommendation? You can keep the Urban Cowboy theme going with your favorite song from the era, or just point us in the direction of something totally different. The choice is yours … what’s your pleasure today?
Listen to Janie Fricke – ‘It Ain’t Easy Being Easy’ on Last FM.
And for our readers outside the U.S. who can’t hear the full track on Last FM, click here.
My Kind of Country 
Shelly West — Jose Cuervo, 1983:
Well, I don’t think we’ve necessarily stopped doing them as much as it’s not every week, but the idea certainly isn’t trademarked or anything.;)
I’ll go with The Little Willies. Really, I recommend the whole album, but one of my favorites right now is their version of “Tennessee Stud.” It’s just ridiculously cool. For those who don’t know, Norah Jones is one of the members of the group, along with some of her fellow New Yorker friends. I love the vibe of the project and I hope they make another one sometime soon.
Oh, and if Country Universe wants their idea back, I’d be happy to oblige. 🙂
I hate to disappoint anyone, but it’s not Wednesday yet. I have this week off, so I don’t want it to go too fast.
I meant to specify that in my post – I am aware it’s Tuesday, but this feature will come on Wednesdays from now on …
I could probably pick a better SheDaisy song, but I’m really digging “360° of You” this week.
That’s a really fun song though. xD
I’ll recommend “Four Leaf Clover” by Little Big Town. It’s not very country, but it’s a really fun song to listen to.
Yes it is. I just love the use of the harmonica in this song. I don’t think I’ve heard another artist rip the harmonica as much as SheDaisy does.
I’ve got an old one and a new one. I’ve always loved “Roses” off Reba’s “So Good Together” album. An almost Gothic story song done by a master. Love and betrayal…”and the roses heard it all.”
I also think the best song on Sugarland’s “Love On the Inside” is “Very Last Country Song.” A great story song, wonderfully written, with a terrific performance by Jennifer Nettles.
“Roses” is a great song. BTW, it was written by Melba Montgomery, who is best known for a series of duets wtih George Jones before he and Tammy started recording together.
While I have never been a big fan of Tracy Byrd, once in a while a song comes along that I love – “Just Let Me Be In Love”
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I love “It Ain’t Easy Being Easy” (and pretty much anything Janie Fricke has sung). If you haven’t already, give a listen to the “Live at Billy Bob’s” version. It’s awesome. FYI – My favorite Janie Fricke song is “You Don’t Know Love”.
As for my favorite song from the early 80’s era – “Friday Night Blues” by John Conlee. It’s an often overlooked gem from one of the most unique and distinctive voices in country music. The original is a classic, but again, the “Live at Billy Bob’s” version is awesome and, to me, proves the song is timeless and not dated (as some of the songs from that era are).
Let’s keep Ms. Fricke involved. I’ll recommend “Place to Fall Apart” where she sings with Merle Haggard which came a couple years later in 1984.
Good forgotten gems in “Friday Night Blues” and “Just Let Me Be In Love” guys.
I’ll add Lacy J. Dalton’s “Black Coffee”
I’d have to say that I am really diggin’ Williams Riley’s “I’m Still Me.”
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