Johnny Cash

When God distributed the golden voices, Johnny Cash was one of the first in line. Besides Elvis. And God heard the voices, and it was good. Elvis soon was guided by his management, Johnny Cash went his own way. Elvis ‘Muss I Denn’, Johnny Cash  ‘The Long Black Veil’. Elvis a cheerless duet with Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash ‘Girl From The North Country’ with Bob Dylan. Elvis in peculiar jumpsuits, Johnny dressed in black. Elvis – with all due respect – predictable, Johnny, constantly seeking musical adventure.

Tell me, who was really the King?

Recently, I bought Johnny Cash’s last(?) album: American Recordings VI – No Final Grave. Although facing death, the master sings 10 songs in his own magnificent way.

A dying man who moves us, until the very end. Can anybody listen with dry eyes to ‘For The Good Times’? When The Man In Black sings, an appropriate silence needs to be obeyed. Still, after all these years!

Specs,
March 2010.