Till ringin’ singin’, on its way
Johnny Cash
The world revolve from night to day
A voice, a chime – a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men
More than just this mix, I absolutely love musical covers. From Big Tree planting some Garcia seeds in Big Brother [#insertwinktolittlebrother gif] to Eddie Vetter “Sitting by the Dock of the Bay”. It’s Petty to think John Mayer isn’t the best at “Free Falling” and you would be Disturbed by just how amazing “The Sound of Silence” actually sounds.
Whew…
Now that is out of my system back to the point that I simply love to hear other artists’ versions of other artists. What is homage, and what is changed? What is added, and what is carved away? It’s kinda like the more pizza one has, the more pizza one needs to try right!
Song number seven comes from an artist who has inspired probably thousands of covers but never a replacement. A true one-of-one.The Man in Black with a ten-gallon-soul-of-white. There is exactly one artist that could “shoot a man in Reno”sublimely chant “Peace on Earth” where you know he meant both.
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (Johnny Cash version)
Not much to say. I just love how Johnny delivers this song. The background singers are perfect. Thisdad has zero doubt Cash had the cache to sing this at any prison, Folsum or otherwise and there wouldn’t be a dry-eyed inmate in sight. (Maybe that is a touch on the wishful thinking side, but hey. Its Christmas)!
Song eight arrives from a fellow “Outlaw”…
Blue Christmas (Willie Nelson version)
Not sure how many versions of Blue Christmas I have listened to, but pretty sure I was dangerously close to being eligible for a Xanax script. Like Cash, Willie has been on the road, again and again, inspiring any number of subsequent artists. His style is exactly his own. This version of a very popular and often covered Christmas tune resonates with me because I can imagine Willie singing this with the ranch hand under the stars away from those they love on Christmas. There is the faintest of harmonica accompaniment in the background like “Cookie” is playing along by the wagon off from the campfire.
Cash and Nelson are national treasures and all-time favorites of ThisDad so they round out songs seven and eight.
Thanks for reading and see you tomorrow!
Featured Photo by David Ramírez on Unsplash
This Dad's Life STL 