And then the carnage is over, thank God.
Bruce Springsteen knows exactly what Give My Love to Rose is about. He does an awesome job. As does Charlie Robison on Don't Take Your Guns to Town.
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Sheryl Crow and Emmylou Harris team up on one of Cash's most poetic ballads, Flesh and Blood (with Crow on accordion). This song highlights the odd and real contradictions Cash presented in his music. On the one hand, he could write a devastatingly cruel line, like "I shot a man in Reno..." or a whole hateful song (Delia's Gone). Yet, on the other, he gave us flowing poetry under his low, growling voice:
A cardinal sang just for me
And I thanked him for the song.
Then the sun when slowly down the west
And we had to move along.
These are some of the things
On which my mind and spirit feed.
But flesh and blood needs flesh and blood
And you're the one I need.
Throw in his gospel songs, and the contrast is so stark that his record company made a three-album, greatest hits series out of it: God, Love, and Murder.
I'll stay out of the "Steve Earle is an unpatriotic idiot" debate and just say that his version of Hardin Wouldn't Run is great.
Marty Stuart is the self-appointed country music historian. It seems like I've seen him on every tribute show and record for the last five years (or more). He's one of the forces behind this record, playing lead guitar on a lot of tracks. His version of Hey Porter is very good. He's not Cash, but hell who is? Great guitar solo...not Luther Perkins, but that was for another era.
If the record ended there, I'd be pretty happy. Unfortunately, Stuart gathers up Janette Carter and a bunch of other old people (including the sickly Cash) to do a scary version of Meet Me in Heaven. I realize it is not the intent of the producer to get us in the mood for Johnny's eventual passing, but good grief that was depressing. I'd prefer to think happy thoughts about Mr. Cash right now. And I don't want to be mean to old ladies, but....*shudder* this was very bad.
Actually, the whole album just made me want to hear Johnny's versions. If you have wads o' cash, go out and buy the box set, Essential Johnny Cash 1955-83. Otherwise, you'd do worse than to buy the live album, At Folsom Prison (for the liner notes alone).
Article comments
1 - Matt MacInnis
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.
2 - Kris Smith
""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