'Sweetheart Of The Rodeo'

One of my all time, top 10 favorite records. Of all time. Ever.

And it was important. Firstly, it featured the debut of Gram Parsons, who would go on to rewrite country music, and Sweetheart of the Rodeo was his first attack.

Secondly, it's mostly considered the first country-rock record in the history of the genre.

The band itself, it was a seachange in their careers and style. For the most part, they're known for their psychedelic, hippy rock and Roger McGuinn and his 12-string Rickenbacker and his half-moon glasses.

Suddenly, they go country. Parsons is brought in and they bend the rules of rock music along with breaking the rules of jumping genres and showing that bands can redefine themselves. Now, despite being a departure for their career, Sweetheart... is their highest-regarded record.

The history of the album suggests a pinch of divine intervention. Parsons was hired as a piano player after The Byrds were stripped down to a two-piece. After joining, Parsons switched to guitar and forever altered the direction of the band. McGuinn's vision of doing an overview of 20th century music was scrapped for a bunch of honky-tonk love songs and mountain ballads.

Later in the year, Bob Dylan would release his seminal country album Nashville Skyline and The Band would release Music from Big Pink. And country and rock music would have different trajectories from then on.

Also includes a top 10 album cover.