Listening to Johnny Cash on Radio Paradise

jp33442 wrote:

Since your from a failed country called Canada, STFU

A country where even children know how to spell a simple word like "you're".
Keep trying there, Einstein.

Posted 5 months ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

Nice link there, RP - from Nick Cave's 'Let the bells ring' tribute to Johnny Cash to this.

Kudos

Posted 7 months ago by Lemonhead [ Reply ]

The Man had a number of outstanding covers in his American Recordings series ("Hurt", "Personal Jesus"). This one is up near the top.

Posted 9 months ago by siqbal [ Reply ]

This was my ‘kiss my ass’ anthem when I departed my toxic job at an oceanographic institution after 24 years. Had a good run then I broke my rusty cage and haven’t looked back.

Posted 10 months ago by marysclark [ Reply ]

Posted 1 year ago by uksminas [ Reply ]

Feral Human Society 💪🏽

Posted 1 year ago by xc.farmer.antoine486 [ Reply ]

jamesbergen573 wrote:

I've only known this version, I never heard the original. Same with Hurt.

I love covers that really make a new song out of something great or terrible. Cash's covers are whole new works. Sometimes the cover is so great, the original is the pale imitation. When I hear a cover, I like to find the original and see how it compares. But I also have a whole collection of covers that transform the original into something wholly new.

Posted 1 year ago by plaid [ Reply ]

snowcone wrote:

Rusty cajun runs... sounds like a something you get during Mardi gras.

I laughed

Posted 1 year ago by smartn1 [ Reply ]

Can we please please play some Johnny Cash classics? I'm hankering for a Boy named Sue

Posted 1 year ago by smartn1 [ Reply ]

TreborG2 wrote:

in this day and age.. there should be no reason for either .. ;) spotify, youtube, etc.. they all have copies to compare.

This version of Johnny Cash's is in itself unique and great .. incredibly talented singer/song writer .. and becoming incredibly rare to find the same in today's artists.

Artist/Performers have always been rare.

Posted 2 years ago by itsme_bygolly [ Reply ]

jamesbergen573 wrote:

I've only known this version, I never heard the original. Same with Hurt.

in this day and age.. there should be no reason for either .. ;) spotify, youtube, etc.. they all have copies to compare.

This version of Johnny Cash's is in itself unique and great .. incredibly talented singer/song writer .. and becoming incredibly rare to find the same in today's artists.

Posted 2 years ago by TreborG2 [ Reply ]

thatslongformud wrote:

the novelty of this version has long worn off and now it just makes me wish Bill would play the original

Yes, the novelty has worn off after 26 years, and all that is left under it is Johnny's phenomenal treatment of what is, in its own right, a seminal song in a
very different genre.

Posted 2 years ago by sjccroquet [ Reply ]

thatslongformud wrote:

the novelty of this version has long worn off and now it just makes me wish Bill would play the original

I've only known this version, I never heard the original. Same with Hurt.

Posted 2 years ago by jamesbergen573 [ Reply ]

SUPERB!!! GODLIKE!!!

Posted 2 years ago by eileenomurphy [ Reply ]

Is this not SOUNDGARDEN?

Posted 2 years ago by komaracboy [ Reply ]

the novelty of this version has long worn off and now it just makes me wish Bill would play the original

Posted 3 years ago by thatslongformud [ Reply ]

sunybuny wrote:

PBS's Ken Burns series on country music has some great insights into the making of this album.

a little too much and way too much Marty Stuart

Posted 3 years ago by thewiseking [ Reply ]

His voice will live forever

Posted 3 years ago by sajitjacob [ Reply ]

Rusty cajun runs... sounds like a something you get during Mardi gras.

Posted 3 years ago by snowcone [ Reply ]

jamesshoemark wrote:

Would be nice to hear some Soundgarden here

Always. There's an overdose of Pearl jam on RP and hardly any Soundgarden.

Posted 4 years ago by jelgator [ Reply ]

bumping from a solid-9 to 10

Posted 4 years ago by gregskrtic [ Reply ]

NOTHING TO SAY, NOTHING TO ADD. BRILLIANT

Posted 4 years ago by Will62 [ Reply ]

BBoyes wrote:

This whole album is worth a listen, along with the rest of the series he did not long before leaving this mortal coil.
Love the second section, after the short bridge.
"Gonna break my rusty cage... and run". That, he did.

I have the full Rick Rubin-produced box, Cash Unearthed. Freakin' amazing, start to finish. The duet with Strummer on Songs of Freedon makes me cry, every time.

Posted 4 years ago by moto848 [ Reply ]

PBS's Ken Burns series on country music has some great insights into the making of this album.

Posted 4 years ago by sunybuny [ Reply ]

jp33442 wrote:

Since your from a failed country called Canada, STFU

Now there is an irrelevant comment!
What has one got to do with the other?
However you feel about Canada I wouldn't say it is a failed country musically.

Posted 4 years ago by Canadese [ Reply ]

oldsaxon wrote:

Well...thank you. I'm sure Johnny has a lovely voice and is very skilled at using it but the guys on the desk did most of the work here. JC is a singer, and he plays a bit of guitar. That song was not written by him, was not recorded by him, not mixed and edited and tweaked and massaged into this recording. Engineers and producers made this song, Johnny just sang it. He did do a fine job of his part though.

Wow... how dismissive, condescending, and patronizing.

Johnny just sang it, did he? So nice of him to do a "fine job" with his "part". You know that part that is the HEART of the performance.

"It sounds like a song he could have written..." Chris Cornell - triple j, 1997

"When your lyrics are delivered a certain way or by a certain person, it’s almost as if the meaning changes, even though it’s the same words." Chris Cornell - Spin, 2011

Posted 5 years ago by h8rhater [ Reply ]

I freakin' *LOVE* this version. Cash rocks. R.I.P.

Posted 5 years ago by ppeters914 [ Reply ]

Love Johnny. From the heart from the veins dark grit beauty I’ll go 8 on this one

Posted 5 years ago by stephen.king12101 [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

SAD!

Since your from a failed country called Canada, STFU

Posted 5 years ago by jp33442 [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

SAD!

How presidential of ya! I'm at a 7 on this, though it's more of a 6.5 to me...still...Long Live RP!!

Posted 5 years ago by lizardking [ Reply ]

Thank you John!

Posted 5 years ago by jesse1 [ Reply ]

Cash does SoundGarden... no clash there... it's perfect! :)

Posted 5 years ago by GoodKarm [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

god this is horrible
flat, tuneless

totally agree Doc.... such a boring lifeless song..

Posted 5 years ago by davidgweeden [ Reply ]

I'm in the minority, but I really don't think much of his music at all..

Posted 5 years ago by davidgweeden [ Reply ]

Would be nice to hear some Soundgarden here

Posted 5 years ago by jamesshoemark [ Reply ]

oldsaxon wrote:

Well...thank you. I'm sure Johnny has a lovely voice and is very skilled at using it but the guys on the desk did most of the work here. JC is a singer, and he plays a bit of guitar. That song was not written by him, was not recorded by him, not mixed and edited and tweaked and massaged into this recording. Engineers and producers made this song, Johnny just sang it. He did do a fine job of his part though.

What is the point of this? At the end of the day who are you going to remember? The guy who sat behind the desk or the performer? Elvis comes to mind.

Posted 6 years ago by RodneyB [ Reply ]

ImaOldman wrote:

Johhny Cash was an american Icon and could do whatever he wanted so please just shut the fuck up and listen!

No, I refuse!

Posted 6 years ago by Webfoot [ Reply ]

still a terrible song

(sad)

Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove [ Reply ]

cool

Posted 6 years ago by RabbitEars [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

SAD!

hey doc - how do you REALLY feel about this song?

Posted 6 years ago by jambo [ Reply ]

SAD!

Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove [ Reply ]

Posted 6 years ago by Noé [ Reply ]

Johhny Cash was an american Icon and could do whatever he wanted so please just shut the fuck up and listen!

Posted 6 years ago by ImaOldman [ Reply ]

god this is horrible
flat, tuneless

Posted 6 years ago by DocStrangelove [ Reply ]

When Bill plays a track I don’t like (this one for example) I realise that RP is not my personal radio station. It is ever so close though!

Posted 6 years ago by Lyndont [ Reply ]

This whole album is worth a listen, along with the rest of the series he did near the end of his life. He did not live long after before leaving this mortal coil.
Love the second section, after the short bridge:
"Gonna break my rusty cage... and run".
That, he did. R.I.P.

Posted 6 years ago by BBoyes [ Reply ]

Rockin' til the bitter end; gotta love Johnny.

Posted 6 years ago by On_The_Beach [ Reply ]

I like this version of the song, though I still prefer the original by Soundgarden, much more powerful.

Posted 7 years ago by wyrd [ Reply ]

love this song 100% Cash

Posted 7 years ago by bicyclesonmain [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

please stop playing this song — his worst

I think it's one of his best.....go figure :^ /

Posted 7 years ago by dragon1952 [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

not only the worst song by Cash, simply a really bad song.

please stop playing this abomination

Feel free to hit PSD.

Posted 7 years ago by Hannio [ Reply ]

DocStrangelove wrote:

please stop playing this song — his worst

His worst is still damn good.

Posted 7 years ago by fauxtoejoe [ Reply ]

Bone wrote:

This song is excellent, this photo too❤️

Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

Go Johnny Go!

Posted 8 years ago by semolinapilchard [ Reply ]

A very good song of the old Cash.

Posted 8 years ago by haverh364 [ Reply ]

oldsaxon wrote:

..... I'll just say now that this is a great song.

Damn right.

Posted 8 years ago by westslope [ Reply ]

easmann wrote:

@oldsaxon: Some more than others. Johnny worked with many different producers, each of which had an effect on the overall sound, yet there's no mistaking that voice or percussive style.

Johnny Cash worked with producer Rick Rubin (known for rap and hard rock) on the album American Recordings:

"For years Cash had often been at odds with his producers after he had discovered with his first producer, Sam Phillips, that his voice was better suited to a stripped-down musical style. Most famously he disagreed with Jack Clement over his sound, Clement having tried to give Cash's songs a "twangy" feel and to add strings and barbershop-quartet-style singers, and his successful collaboration with Rick Rubin was in part due to Rubin seeking a minimalist sound for his songs."

— Wikipedia: American Recordings (album).

Cash worked with Rubin again on this album. Your question makes it sound as though Rick Rubin is largely responsible for Johnny Cash's sonic style. In this case Johnny had that style before Rick Rubin was born, but I think it's fair to say that Rick helped him achieve his sonic goals. However it's also fair to say that some producers exert more influence over an artist's sound than others.

Wonderful things happen when talented producers and performers collaborate effectively. Here's a list of influential producers with a sampling of tracks each has produced: 50 Of The Most Influential Producers. Neat list even if you disagree with the rankings.

Excellent info...spent ages reading it thanks for the links. I will agree that it is a colaboration for the best, but often it is the guys on the desk that make the hit...eno, lanois, the list goes on, but without the artist's there just ain't no show. I'll just say now that this is a great song.

Posted 8 years ago by oldsaxon [ Reply ]

buddy wrote:

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Johnny Cash didn't just show up and do what some "producer" told him to do. Probably more like he told the producer not to get in the way.

Yeah, what the hell would Rick Rubin know anyway?... Perhaps the stripped down accoustic style that this song was recorded in. That or nothing, I suppose.

How about we check out Rick's own words on the recording of this very song?:

Q: Did you have any strategies you put into play to get him to record something he might not otherwise have wanted to record? Something like Soundgarden’s “Rusty Cage,” for instance?

A: That was one where I had to re-record the song to present it to him, because when he heard the original recording of the song it really terrified him (laughs). He thought it was unrealistic and that I was crazy for suggesting it. But then when I recorded it more the way I imagined him doing it, just as a demo, he really liked it.

I think as time went on, as the trust in our relationship grew from working together and enjoying the work together, if there was a song I really felt strongly about, I might pitch it a bit harder than the typical, “Here are all the songs that I like.” “Hurt” was one of those where I was like, “This really has the potential to be something great. I think it could be a really important song, and I really hope you do it.” But again, if he didn’t like something, then we wouldn’t do it. It’s just that he might have listened a bit closer because of the pitch I made.

Posted 8 years ago by h8rhater [ Reply ]

easmann wrote:

oldsaxon has asked a legitimate, honest question and it's sparked some debate. There is an excellent series currently running on PBS entitled soundbreaking which I find fascinating. Episode One: The Art of Recording covers the role of the producer and includes interviews with a number producers including George Martin, Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and others, as well as some artists they worked with. In it Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash discuss their sessions. I think it's fair to say that Rick helped Johnny find his way back to his most authentic voice and sound, but you make up your own mind.

It's very enlightening and worth your time I think.

Well...thank you. I'm sure Johnny has a lovely voice and is very skilled at using it but the guys on the desk did most of the work here. JC is a singer, and he plays a bit of guitar. That song was not written by him, was not recorded by him, not mixed and edited and tweaked and massaged into this recording. Engineers and producers made this song, Johnny just sang it. He did do a fine job of his part though.

Posted 8 years ago by oldsaxon [ Reply ]

I just saw Chris Cornell do a nice acoustic version of this a couple weeks ago at a show at Ravinia outside Chicago.

That said, Johnny's cover is a nice take as well.

Posted 8 years ago by treatment_bound [ Reply ]

oldsaxon wrote:

Really, the producer does that, doesn't he?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure Johnny Cash didn't just show up and do what some "producer" told him to do. Probably more like he told the producer not to get in the way.

Posted 8 years ago by buddy [ Reply ]

Wow, fantastic transition just now from Sackcloth n' Ashes to this! Nice job.

Posted 8 years ago by JMA [ Reply ]

oldsaxon wrote:

Really, the producer does that, doesn't he?

I must be missing something. Is that the producer singing?

Posted 8 years ago by dwhayslett [ Reply ]

Cool ! icepicks on steel shore, so blue-ring topsnail.

Posted 8 years ago by twoplain2sea [ Reply ]

Djoy wrote:

These lyrics are the perfect vehicle for JC's rusty, powerful voice & station at the time.
Ride 'em Johnny!

Exact-o-mundo Djoy! and Bone's photo is the most perfect "FUCK YOU!" : ) Luv this song

Posted 8 years ago by hayduke2 [ Reply ]

I like it!

Posted 8 years ago by musikluvr [ Reply ]

Thanks Bill, a nice treat from a true musical idol.

Posted 9 years ago by Stefan_Lutz [ Reply ]

helgigermany wrote:

Awful!

Posted 9 years ago by Bone [ Reply ]

I think this is stunningly good. So is this whole CD, made not long before his death, because he wanted to and could and didn't care what anyone thought. He still had such a powerhouse of a voice. Like a purring diesel locomotive.

Posted 9 years ago by BBoyes [ Reply ]

Awful!

Posted 9 years ago by helgigermany [ Reply ]

PSD

Posted 9 years ago by FrankDebbieCote [ Reply ]

We're all burning dinosaur bones , unfortunately. Great song.
His last few albums/cd's were among his best. He shares that distinction with Leonard Cohen. R.I.P.

Posted 10 years ago by ScottN [ Reply ]

What a great album this is. Johnny, you're one true legend.

Posted 10 years ago by marcedeleon [ Reply ]

garyalex wrote:

I love the way Johnny took this song and made it his. He took an already great song and added his unique style and timing. I love it. Thanks Johnny.

Really, the producer does that, doesn't he?

Posted 10 years ago by oldsaxon [ Reply ]

Here's a guy who can't sing worth a damn, worse singer than Neil Young ferpetessakes! An American institution/legend somehow. His songs radiate such pain and soul-torture they still make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Godlike? Hell yes.

Posted 10 years ago by misterbearbaby [ Reply ]

I love the way Johnny took this song and made it his. He took an already great song and added his unique style and timing. I love it. Thanks Johnny.

Posted 10 years ago by garyalex [ Reply ]

These lyrics are the perfect vehicle for JC's rusty, powerful voice & station at the time.
Ride 'em Johnny!

Posted 10 years ago by Djoy [ Reply ]

Not a good song, if you ask me!

Posted 10 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

scraig wrote:

Too cool to ignore...

fredriley wrote:

When I was a crude adolescent we thought Johnny Cash was a Durex vending machine.

I'll get me pullover...

Now fred, confess: you have a bottomless drawer of these, don't you? ${#Dancingbanana_2}$

Posted 10 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

Ah Johnny, I know you're enjoying your eternal reward but man I miss you.

Posted 10 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester [ Reply ]

The one and only.

Posted 10 years ago by melsmith60 [ Reply ]

Same here!

cormatic wrote:

I love this guy!

Posted 11 years ago by msymmes [ Reply ]

oldfart48 wrote:

any jc's better than none............

And for me, this is equal to his best. Some of which are -huge-.

Posted 11 years ago by Wizzo_oz [ Reply ]

Johnny rocks this one too!!

Posted 11 years ago by Ahnyer_Keester [ Reply ]

I like the rockin at the end - let those tubes growl!

Posted 11 years ago by MilesW [ Reply ]

Didn't know cash did soundgarden too. Might have to check the album out for other surprises.

Posted 11 years ago by pepsiparanoia [ Reply ]

Posted 11 years ago by camatcba [ Reply ]

The lyrics are full of powerful images, and Cash's voice is a fabulous vehicle to deliver them.

Posted 11 years ago by unclehud [ Reply ]

It's almost as if this song was written for Johnny Cash - sounds like something written in the 50's!
Love it and the original too.

Posted 11 years ago by bb_matt [ Reply ]

Stingray wrote:

SUCKO!

Stingray, you shouldn't yell at the mirror so much.

Posted 11 years ago by kcar [ Reply ]

SUCKO!

Posted 11 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Dear Bob,
Your playlist for Sunday March 3rd 2013 was fantastic! Being used to a lot of repeated singles and odd flows of genres—- we much appreciated the flow and cohesive build of the day. Lots of great tunes were heard, keep it up!

Posted 11 years ago by egsstaff [ Reply ]

I love this guy!

Posted 11 years ago by cormatic [ Reply ]

jchrise wrote:

Ya know Bill, there exists a zillion OTHER Johnny Cash songs...why is this mediocre JC song the one that always gets played?

As a footnote, is JC's appeal more about fans thinking it's cool to be a JC fan, or because the music itself is cool. Quite frankly, I've never quite understood the appeal. His voice is not that great, and he talks mostly, doesn't really sing the lyrics. I do understand the "feel his pain" thing blah blah blah, but HE'S NOT THAT GOOD still!

any jc's better than none............

Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48 [ Reply ]

jchrise wrote:

Ya know Bill, there exists a zillion OTHER Johnny Cash songs...why is this mediocre JC song the one that always gets played?

As a footnote, is JC's appeal more about fans thinking it's cool to be a JC fan, or because the music itself is cool. Quite frankly, I've never quite understood the appeal. His voice is not that great, and he talks mostly, doesn't really sing the lyrics. I do understand the "feel his pain" thing blah blah blah, but HE'S NOT THAT GOOD still!

idiot

Posted 11 years ago by oldfart48 [ Reply ]

He spent a hard lifetime making music that speaks to many...

Posted 11 years ago by AndyJ [ Reply ]

The Irish love this guy!

Posted 12 years ago by boober [ Reply ]

Two unique and iconic voices. One great song.

Posted 12 years ago by rushed [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by leap [ Reply ]

Posted 12 years ago by scraig [ Reply ]

peterneorr wrote:

First time I've felt the need for an 11! ${#Dancingbanana_2}$

....made it for you....

Posted 12 years ago by rockpommel16 [ Reply ]

Maybe an icon - still I do not like this music!

Posted 12 years ago by Stingray [ Reply ]

Just break your rusty cage... and run!

Posted 12 years ago by nampelkafe [ Reply ]

First time I've felt the need for an 11! ${#Dancingbanana_2}$

Posted 12 years ago by peterneorr [ Reply ]

Happy birthday to Rosanne Cash!

Posted 12 years ago by TJS [ Reply ]

Abso-freakin-awesome.

Posted 12 years ago by spindrift [ Reply ]

martinc wrote:

Recently went to Roger Daltry concert playing Tommy and some who hits. He did a Johnny Cash medley noting when he was young working in a tin shop they had no music but they use to sing Johnny Cash songs while they worked away. It was a great medley

Would love to have heard that medley!

Posted 12 years ago by kaybee [ Reply ]

I'm not sure, but is he going to break his rusty cage?

Posted 12 years ago by smackiepipe [ Reply ]

Recently went to Roger Daltry concert playing Tommy and some who hits. He did a Johnny Cash medley noting when he was young working in a tin shop they had no music but they use to sing Johnny Cash songs while they worked away. It was a great medley

Posted 13 years ago by martinc [ Reply ]

DaveInVA wrote:

When I grew up in Chicago in the 60's there was a DJ that always played a recording of a toilet flushing just ahead of every Johnny Cash song he played and he called Johnny Cash a "Pay Toilet". Regardless I love Johnny's music but I still in my mind hear that toilet flushing every time a Johnny Cash song because of that damn DJ.

When I was a crude adolescent we thought Johnny Cash was a Durex vending machine.

I'll get me pullover...

Posted 13 years ago by fredriley [ Reply ]

xouba wrote:

Whoa. Whatever Cash sings sounds tougher, even if the original was already a rocker.

yep.

Posted 13 years ago by MiracleDrug [ Reply ]

Johnny. Oh, Johnny. Not your best.

Posted 13 years ago by acolt [ Reply ]

Ya know Bill, there exists a zillion OTHER Johnny Cash songs...why is this mediocre JC song the one that always gets played?

As a footnote, is JC's appeal more about fans thinking it's cool to be a JC fan, or because the music itself is cool. Quite frankly, I've never quite understood the appeal. His voice is not that great, and he talks mostly, doesn't really sing the lyrics. I do understand the "feel his pain" thing blah blah blah, but HE'S NOT THAT GOOD still!

Posted 13 years ago by jchrise [ Reply ]

Is there any cover from any band as good as any Johnny did?

Posted 13 years ago by paloeguevo [ Reply ]

If you look in the dictionary under "icon" you'll see Johnny's photo.

Posted 13 years ago by shutter [ Reply ]

drews wrote:

when the tempo drops and the bass line goes deep the spine tingles

I THERE TOO

Posted 13 years ago by Wonderloaf [ Reply ]

When I grew up in Chicago in the 60's there was a DJ that always played a recording of a toilet flushing just ahead of every Johnny Cash song he played and he called Johnny Cash a "Pay Toilet". Regardless I love Johnny's music but I still in my mind hear that toilet flushing every time a Johnny Cash song because of that damn DJ.