What I think of when I see Americana

As the first part of my digression from my studies at 7:30AM,...

So these days I like the Americana genre tab... it usually leads me to things I like. Like Wilco. So, this morning I thought I'd take a little time to look into this... so called Americana...

Wilco - California Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcMsB3mYPMs

... and I thought, maybe bluegrass isn't so far off...

Wailin’ Jennys – One Voice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMsUIUw5mEM&feature=related

Yonder Mountain String Band – Holdin’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8aEvRJPwE0&feature=channel

...and right around the corner there's that Dylan...

Bob Dylan - Mr Tambourine Man

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBLuAMbySDY

...and we find the logical extension to the great things about bluegrass/folk/Americana in music that seems more familiar to us: harmonicas, harmonies, lyrics that rhyme well, and sweet songwriting...

Beck - Guess I'm Doing Fine (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2Erm1KBfdU

Neko Case – Star Witness
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLujKda50MY&feature=related

Fleet Foxes – Blue Ridge Mountains (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1tbX_NJn98

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down – Swimming Pools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=966nqAtqWzE&feature=related

But going back deeper into the categories and beyond the categories here...

Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams – Baby Jane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7iZ2IpXa0

... and I thought, what's really more American, than blues/jazz?

Wes Montgomery - 'Round Midnight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOm17yw__6U

Ray Charles - Ring of Fire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhGZdSkX6IM

BBKing and Buddy Guy - I Can't Quit You Baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39W46dLA8BI&feature=related

Then again there are still commonalities here: those harmonies/tensions that howl over the groove that beats to the rhythm of the daily grind; to at once forget everything and yet remember, to never forget.