Customer Reviews

Johnny's Blues: Tribute to Johnny Cash

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For the most part, "Johnny's Blues - A Tribute to Johnny Cash" delivers what is promises: Blues interpretations of Johnny Cash's music. Cash songs done as Blues tunes? Without being revisionary, this disc helps the listener realize the great extent that the Blues influenced the music by a song writer best known for his Country, Western and Folk. The recording is filled with some classics that you've heard countless times and others that you may wonder if you've ever heard played by the Man in Black. One of the strongest songs is Clarence 'Gatemouth' Brown's jazzy version of 'Get Rhythm.' Chris Thomas King does an animated version of 'Rock Island Line.' Blackie & the Rodeo King's version of 'Folsom Prison Blues' is distorted and surprisingly annoying. Hary Manx's 'Long Black Veil' is beautifully mystical and in the vein of something by U.M. Bhatt & Taj Mahal. Alvin Youngblood Hart's version of 'Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down' is as gorgeous and contemplative as any. 'Redemption' has an African-American Spiritual meets West Africa vibe. 'Send A Picture Of Mother' is an odd instrumental that features a didjeridoo. 'Big River' and 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken' round off the album as strong tunes. While the disc delivers the Blues that it promises, the recording contains a surprising number of songs that do not fall within the conventions of the Blues genre. That written, all of the music falls within an American expression of the African Diaspora, even if through a post-modern interpretation. Overall, it's an eclectic recording that when compared to other Johnny Cash tributes is easily better than "Kindred Spirits" but not as good as "Dressed In Black." While not essential, "Johnny's Blues" is recommended for the Johnny Cash enthusiast and the Blues listener who has a casual interest in the man in black.

Sleepy LaBeef steals the show! This CD is worth buying for his track alone (although Maria & Mavis have it going on, too!)

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A great recording with a really interesting mix of music. None of it is particularly country-ish, all of it is professionally performed and produced (probably thanks to ace producer Colin Linden).

I particularly like the Folsom Prison cover by Blackie and the Rodeo Kings (of which Linden is a member), which has a kind of Rolling Stones vibe. Loud and nasty. Maria Muldaur's Walking the Blues is another primo example of her recent blues recordings, Alvin Youngblood Hart can make you cry with his version of Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down (by Kris Kristofferson originally, if I'm not mistaken).

Another review here is down on Harry Manx's Long Black Veil, but I disagree. Cash's version was much countrified. This take is not the least bit "Indian", but closer to the Celtic tradition (see the version by the Chieftains featuring Mick Jagger on vocal).

Sleepy Labeef is great on Frankie's Man Johnny, as is everyone.

Buy it!

This CD is a great listen for Johnny Cash fan's that love the blues. Most of the tracks are enjoyable and hit the historic value with blue notes. Exception being Harry Manx version of LONG BLACK VEIL it is not recognisable to the original; mixing Indian music with blues doesn't work. The best cuts are by these artist: Paul Reddick, Chris Thomas King, Sleepy LaBeef, Colin Linden and Mavis Staples. My all time favorite Johnny Cash song is Get Rhythm; there is better versions by other artist.