The Man in Black Finally Finds Peace
Published September 12, 2003
What a horrible week for legendary musicians. What a horrible week for anyone who cares about their fellow man. I don't think I have seen a smile on anyone's face in days.
On Monday when I found out that Warren Zevon had passed away, I remembered that Johnny Cash had been ailing and a sudden flash of horror skittered across my brain "what will I feel when Johnny dies?"
I have always been a loving fan of Johnny Cash from the day my daddy played his music. My father was a hillbilly so he had some questionable taste in music, but he loved Johnny and Hank. So in turn did I.
Johnny Cash was a man who defied musical stereotypes in my mind: a visionary. So much of his music defined what it meant to be a thinking man's country singer. He didn't sing just about drinking and carousing with women, his tales were songs of loss, pain and solitude. A man constantly seeking answers from an unyielding world full of mystery.
His low, gravely voice seemed to rumble in my bowels and I often felt as though I had come from a demon exorcising revival. All sins conjured up, inspected, held up to the light and discovered for what they were, a withered boogeyman from a child's imagination.
I haven't listened to Johnny as much in recent years, but his musical impact on me was made early and never left. I hope he has finally found the answers to the questions that he always seemed to be seeking.
Dawn Olsen is a veteran blogger who proudly supports the guy who publishes this awesome site. She's also an avid reader of high quality tabloid fare, enjoys gardening and scatological skywriting.
- The Man in Black Finally Finds Peace
- Published: September 12, 2003
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- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Country and Americana
- Writer: Dawn Olsen
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Cjones - try Americana. If they have any sense, they'll put up a special Cash channel too.
PS - if you're a music fan, you're more familiar with Cash than you think - his presence is felt in every Rock, Country, or Blues artist who has came after him.
Cash had country and pop hits throughout the late 50s and 60s. His 50's Sun Recordings are all legendery. They include "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues" and "Get Rhythm" His 60s hits include "Ring of Fire" and "A Boy Named Sue." I'd say these are his biggest hits, and all are included on the recent "Essential Johnny Cash," which is pictured above.
The compilation called "The Sun Years" (Rhino) is also a good place to start, and any of his last 4 records, all subtitled "American Recordings" are terrific. They contain Cash doing covers of just about any song he liked, including fairly current rock songs, folk songs, old cowboy songs, and standards. A couple of these are also pictured above.
Also, his famous Folsom Prison live album was just reissued along with his live at San Quentin album, making a great two-fer.
There are also literally dozens of hits collections out there, any of which will provide you with a lot of good listening.
I can assure you the music is uncompromising and as simple and complex as the man himself. And wonderful.
Thanks a mil guys.
There's someone for me somewhere
And I still miss someone.
And everyone will miss Johnny.
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I am not familar with the music of Johnny Cash. Anyone know any particular song from some of his well known stuff? Wanna check him out. What channel would I find him under on Spinner.com?