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+--- Thread: Johnny Cash "Big Iron" (/showthread.php?tid=12464)
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - Nick - 23-01-2015
I recently rediscovered Johnny Cash's cover of the Marty Robbins classic "Big Iron" and was struck by what a different animal it was from the original. Here is a man who's Rock'n'Roll lifestyle is catching up to him, Cash was going blind and physically falling apart- yet he still managed to blow a song by arguably one of the greatest vocalists ever out of the water. The song takes on an almost autobiographical nature from Cash's standpoint, he IS the Arizona Ranger, you can hear him bravely facing death without blinking. You'll hear people claim that "Hurt" was his best work ever, but without the publicity of "Hurt" or the heartbreaking music video (I'll admit, I cry every time), this song does Johnny Cash The Outlaw more justice than any other. "Hurt" may have summed up the man, but "Big Iron" pays beautiful tribute to his music. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZfItlZG97Q
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - jazzboCR - 23-01-2015
Great share and the reason I'm here--to listen and to learn. Keep'm coming, Bro Nick. This comes from a 5-CD box set that's a bit pricey but contains essential Johnny Cash recordings. Don't take my word for it--read the reviews at the Usual Suspect: http://www.amazon.com/Unearthed-Johnny-Cash/dp/B000WSWI96/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1421993619&sr=1-1&keywords=cash+unearthed&pebp=1421994024602&peasin=B000WSWI96
Not to steal your thunder but I like this one too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AY9WTlmZ_ww
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - CRAZY-HORSE - 23-01-2015
great song Jazzbo....
JC/Highway Men did a brilliant version of Earle's "devil's right hand", which incidently is my favourite Steve Earle track...
as for John Cash, who is one of my favourite artists...
IMO, all most people would need would be the following albums...
1. a good collection of his Sun Records material
2. ...At San Quentin
3. ...At Folsom Prison
4. "the essential JC"(double cd)
5. "life"(another compilation)
6. "american reocrdings IV"(purely for "hurt")
7. "america:a 200yr salute"
anything else is a bonus
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - Nick - 24-01-2015
I love his rendition of "Devil's Right Hand", I enjoy Earle's music, I just don't have any respect for the man. I agree with most of your list Crazy Horse, but I'd like to add that for someone just getting in to Cash's work, "The Legend Of Johnny Cash" (a compilation album) is a great starting point. It features most of his best work, though there's still a lot to hear, including "Hurt" and his classics like "Folsom Prison Blues"
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - CRAZY-HORSE - 24-01-2015
I know very little about Steve Earle so what is it that you have "little respect" for????
I saw him live almost 2yrs ago at a festival,just him acoustically,he was almost folky...he was pretty good IMO.
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - CRAZY-HORSE - 24-01-2015
Like you said earlier in the piece about "hurt"
I'm a huge fan of the man and rate that song as his best, the lyrics and video sum him up perfectly IMO
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - jazzboCR - 24-01-2015
CRAZY-HORSE Wrote:I know very little about Steve Earle so what is it that you have "little respect" for????
I saw him live almost 2yrs ago at a festival,just him acoustically,he was almost folky...he was pretty good IMO.
Well, he has been married 7 times including twice to the same woman, and he was a junkie for a long time (served some time for that), and he is Progressive in politics BUT a progeny (Justin Townes Earle) is one terrif musician hisownself. Still looking for reasons to not like/respect him...
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - Nick - 27-01-2015
I am huge Steve Earle fan, but my fandom begins and ends with his music. Musical honesty is something I value above all else when it comes to artists, and Earle doesn't have it. Our idols are often not the men we believe them to be though, Johnny cheated on June (with her sister, while she was pregnant), Dylan is a terrible father, and George Jones was a drunk. These things don't make me any less of a fan of their work, I just don't see them as the heroes I once did. Earle writes and sings about all his military service, when in truth he was as anti-war as they come, he is a draft dodger that uses experiences that aren't his own to sell records.
Johnny Cash "Big Iron" - jazzboCR - 27-01-2015
Nick Wrote:I am huge Steve Earle fan, but my fandom begins and ends with his music. Musical honesty is something I value above all else when it comes to artists, and Earle doesn't have it. Our idols are often not the men we believe them to be though, Johnny cheated on June (with her sister, while she was pregnant), Dylan is a terrible father, and George Jones was a drunk. These things don't make me any less of a fan of their work, I just don't see them as the heroes I once did. Earle writes and sings about all his military service, when in truth he was as anti-war as they come, he is a draft dodger that uses experiences that aren't his own to sell records.
I feel your pain and that's no blather--6 years in the Marines including 2 in the Old Country gets me a seat at the table, and grieving with plenty of hurt friends gives me a voice. May I simply ask: Can a man re-invent himself? Seek redemption for previous follies and addictions? Our justice system is "Justice, tempered with mercy"--all I ask is temper your justice with a measure of mercy towards Mr. Earle. Not asking you to like him, just forgive him. If you find this scathing or intrusive, go rip me a new one--I shan't fight back.