This week, "Rolling Stone" completely revamped their list of the "500 Best Albums of All Time," which they originally put out in 2003.They were looking to add albums from the past two decades, and rearrange the classics with the added perspective of the past 17 years.
Of course, "Rolling Stone" is rock-focused . . . so maybe it isn't surprising that CLASSIC COUNTRY was diminished, with 12 country albums downgraded from the 2003 list, and four of those falling off the list entirely
But three country albums were UPGRADED . . . Patsy Cline's "The Ultimate Collection" went from #235 to #229 . . Dolly Parton's "Coat of Many Colors" was boosted from #301 to #257 . . . and Merle Haggard's "Down Every Road" flew up from #477 to #284.
And eight new country albums were added to the list. They are:
Taylor Swift, "Red", #99 . . . It was officially released as a country album.
The (Dixie) Chicks, "Fly", #224
Kacey Musgraves, "Golden Hour", #270
Shania Twain, "Come On Over", #300
Gillian Welch, "Time (The Revelator)", #348
Eric Church, "Chief", #419
Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter", #440
Miranda Lambert, "The Weight of These Wings", #480