The Man In Black

I have a fairly eclectic taste in music, I think, but there is one style of music that I simply cannot get into and that is Country and Western. So how come I am so potty for Johnny Cash? I get goosebumps every time I listen to him sing, no matter how many times I hear the same song. The sincerity and depth of feeling in his voice bowls me over; he means every goddamn word he says.

Unlike many of my favourite artists, Johnny Cash has not been a favourite of mine since I was a boy. My passion for Johnny Cash started when I watched an interview he did with Larry King (1), (Part 2), (Part 3), (Part 4), (Part 5), (Part 6), (Part 7). I was entranced by the man's strength, honesty and wisdom. I bought American IV: The Man Comes Around and was hooked. The rest of the Rick Rubin produced American series followed as well as several of his older albums. I still play them often. 

I loved the bio-pic, Walk The Line, with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I like to believe he said what he said to the manager who told him not to record the Live In San Quentin album because his fans are, "Good, clean Christian folk who don't want to hear you singing to a bunch of murderers and rapists." His reply? 

"Well, they ain't very Christian then, are they?" BOOM!

I'll leave with four of my favourite Johnny Cash songs.

The Legend Of John Henry

Before My Time

The Mercy Seat

The Man Comes Around