http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2002-2006 by the authors Wed, 21 Dec 2005 14:04:26 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/17/015816.php#comment-293189 ""Keb' Mo' does Folsom Prison Blues and completely screws it up. Unfortunately, he sees 'blues' in the title and assumes he has to change the lyrics around so you'll pity him. "" I disagree, but I respect your opinion. Keep in mind, John basically plagiarized Folsom from Gordon Jenkins' "Crescent City Blues." And according to Michael Streissguth, in his book, "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison: The Making of a Masterpiece", the point of the song for Johnny was imagining the shackles coming off and getting freedom again. So, in my opinion, Keb' Mo'can change the lyrics as long as the true reason and purpose of this song is translated. Remember, Willie Dixon (father of blues), says that ......"The blues are the true facts of life expressed in words and song, inspiration, feeling and understanding..." So, we know nobody killed a man in Reno. Especially since Johnny's geographic ability is odd with a train at a prison(Folsom) in California being watched by a man who killed someone in Nevada, and somehow is rollin down to San Antonio. (hope that makes sense) So, the fact is, it's a great sounding song. It will forever be legendary but also will be marketed as a mythic Cash story and the music establishment won't mind selling that all day long. It's better than truth. Kris Smith Wichita, KS ]]> 293189@blogcritics.org Wed, 21 Dec 2005 14:04:26 EST http://blogcritics.org/archives/2002/10/17/015816.php#comment-1530 I agree that "Kindred Spirits" is a mixed bag. More enjoyable is the other tribute recently out, "Dressed In Black". The latter compilation doesn't limit itself to songs Cash actually wrote. ]]> 1530@blogcritics.org Thu, 17 Oct 2002 14:28:33 EDT