Johnny Cash sounds great to me, whether he’s singing “Jackson” with June Carter or in his later years when he was covering some rock greats and turning expectations upside down. This volume of early Cash hits certainly satisfies with the aforementioned “Jackson,” “Ring of Fire,” and “I Walk the Line” as well as a Dylan cover and other great tracks.
Johnny Cash—At San Quentin
I’m not usually one for live recordings but Johnny Cash’s At San Quentin defies my usual expectations and reactions for live recordings. There’s something to be said about the sounds of a crowd having different significance than the usual “woo woo”s you get on a live album when you consider the fact that all the cheers are coming from incarcerated individuals and prison officials. It’s darker, more dangerous and seems more intimate for some reason when you know that Cash is inside a prison singing his songs. Whether it was a little gimmicky or something Cash felt truly passionate about is irrelevant—the reality of the album is that the music is good and the crowd loved it, which makes this record both a good listen and a little fodder for thought. And honestly, “Folsom Prison Blues” and the reaction of the inmates that was strong enough to pull the plug is an really awesome way to end this institution (pun intended) of an album.
Cat Power—The Covers Record
Chan Marshall has a really beautiful, often haunting voice. And this record is filled with that voice—but not much else. Really sparse instrumentation, bare tracks, and a sound that conveys the fact that Marshall is essentially the only musician on the album. I like Cat Power, but this record is one that could feasibly put me to sleep. I don’t necessarily mean that in a bad way. Sometimes I like to be lulled by music. But right now, early Saturday afternoon, I need a little pick-me-up and this record will not deliver. There are high points: Lou Reed’s “I Found a Reason” is a great song and this an excellent cover, and “Sea of Love” is beautiful, delicate, and a track I found worthy of inclusion on a sappy love mix for my wife. All in all, this is a good record, just not what I want at this moment.
Tracy Chapman—Tracy Chapman
What kind of lesbian would I be if I didn’t like Tracy Chapman? (Really—your thoughts/jokes are appreciated.) Seriously though, I love this album. Especially funneled through my excellent speakers, the richness in tone that Chapman provides to her music and this album in particular is impressive. This album is real, but not raw. It is beautiful and simple and a great listening experience. Not to be too typical, but “Fast Car” is one of my favorite songs. It’s sad and relatable and really, really pretty. I haven’t listened to much of Tracy Chapman’s newer work but this album is one that I will make a point to keep in rotation once I’m done this project.
Cher—Take Me Home
I did not buy Take Me Home for the disco track list (sorry Cher, not your best). I bought it for this:
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