One of country music’s most groundbreaking albums was released in 1973 by Patrick Haggerty and his openly gay country band, Lavender Country. Their album was little known and a very small run (only 1,000 copies were released) which were mostly available to the local gay community, by word-of-mouth and in the back pages of gay magazines. The Country Music Hall of Fame officially recognized the band in 1999 and now after 40 years, their self titled album is being re-issued on the North Carolina label Paradise of Bachelors. The collection features twangy 70’s country songs on love, loss, isolation, and liberation, and features Haggerty’s sharp wit, which does not shy away from gay politics. Standout tracks include: “Come Out Singing”; “Straight White Patterns”; and “Cryin’ These Cocksucker Tears.” – Written by JFelton
SIMILAR | Bill Callahan, The Flatlanders, The Holy Modal Rounders, Lydia Loveless, Promised Land Sound