I hope that conditions are improving for coalminers, I know that Patty Loveless lost her Dad to black-lung disease, and I’m assuming Loretta Lynn’s father died of the same cause. I have heard of some improvements, but I’m sure conditions need to improve a whole lot more for these working heroes who supply such an important part of our nation’s energy needs.

I have the McCoury CD, and love the compilation and the advocacy of the working man. (But like Paul, I too am not a big fan of his voice). Of course I am a HUGE fan of Patty’s version of “Harlan” and I’m delighted Del included it on this album.

As for the politics, Democrats and Republicans have both been friend and foe to the working man, at various times, and in various ways.

I did vote for McCain, reluctantly, but I was intrigued that Ralph Stanley supported Obama, citing his support for the little guy. I hope he’s right!

And Allan, I don’t agree with your take on the so-called “racism” of the average Appalachian voter, but I do agree that Brad Paisley does an excellent version of “Harlan” as well!

I’m going to give Kathy Mattea’s Coal some serious consideration now, and look forward to hearing, if not purchasing her album.

Thanks again for the great review Kevin, and for the interesting comments everyone!

-Steve

The point I made in the review is that the working poor, particularly in rural areas, are being largely ignored and not even country music is taking up their cause anymore. That they’re accused of being racist because of how they voted in a Democratic primary, of all things, just further demonstrates the general disdain that is pointed in their direction when they’re not just being ignored.

What’s funny about Allan’s comment is that he claims it was the media “elitists” making such accusations, and not the Democratic party, right after he said that Appalachian voters chose Hillary because she was white. Eighteen million people voted for her across the country, yet the ones who supported her in Appalachia are racist? Why them, and not anybody else? They’re accused of being the givers of prejudice when they’re actually on the receiving end, from demagogues in their own party. Not the leadership, but the actual voters. Pathetic.

Unfortuantely this is being pictured in terms of race and one doesn’t need to be a racist to think Obama would make a deplorable president – a look at his voting record as a US Senator and as a member of the Illinois Senate should suffice for that purpose.

Not that I think McCain would make a good president – early on it was apparent that we would have poor choices emerge from the primaries (sigh)

I did get to listen to most of McCoury’s CD today at an independent record shop (yes they still exist). It’s okay, musically not as good as some of his previous efforts – I expect diehard fans will want it and the rest will give it a pass

The hope is starting is November will be a new era for the Working Man because Obama and progressive/liberal Democrats are the people that support unions.

Working people supported Obama in the primaries. A lot of the people who supported Hillary in the primaries in The Appalachians supported her beacuse she is white. Hillary support for the working class in the primaries doesn’t make sense because she and her husband supported anti-working class laws like NAFTA.

Barack Obama is for working people because he suports unions.

The elists who said the things you are claiming weren’t in the Democratic Party, but in the media.

As for the politics of either CD, I will simply judge on the musical content and let it go from there. If a CD gets too political, I usually won’t buy it. Mattea’s CD succeeds well on a human level