September 2008

South DaCola music club w/ Johnny Cash

This is one of my favorite tribute albums;

Few artists deserve tribute more than Johnny Cash, and none pose a greater challenge to those who would offer their homage. The problem is that his sound has been pounded so deep into America’s soul that it’s almost impossible to play his music without lapsing into imitation — and those who try to avoid that trap can sound a little misguided. Examples of both approaches abound throughout Dressed in Black, though even the bravest performers generally sing to a tack bass rhythm accompanied by those menacing low guitar licks that Cash patented long ago. Some do a pretty good job of evoking Cash, especially James Intveld, whose rendition of “Folsom Prison Blues” comes darn close to the original, and Chuck Mead on “There You Go.” Damon Bramblett also has Cash’s phrasing down; the fact that his voice is pitched about an octave higher, along with his Maybelle Carter style on guitar, makes “I’m Gonna Sit on the Porch and Pick On My Old Guitar” a special treat. Then there’s Billy Burnette, whose playing comes closest to the essence of Cash but whose vocals completely miss the squint-eyed macho quality that “Ring of Fire” requires. Rarest of all are those artists who have found their own voice yet use this format to acknowledge their forebears; none does this more persuasively than Dale Watson, who turns “I Walk the Line” into something both powerful and original — the ultimate tribute that anyone can pay to the real icons in this business. ~ Robert L. Doerschuk, All Music Guide

Public Service; A waste of time

From the Argus Leader;

Jamison said Friday that the request for a review was a waste of time if Ehrisman didn’t feel the councilors had conflicts.”That’s kind of a funny tactic,” Jamison said. “The idea that down the road that I may have to step out on a vote? That’s 100 percent going to happen. I’ve done it in the past, and other councilors have done it in the past.”

I did not realize that Jamison didn’t get paid to sit on the City Council. How honorable.

Kermit corrects his ridiculous statement though:

Councilor Kermit Staggers, who will vote against the measures, said the results of the review reinforce the council’s ethical guidelines. “It’s helping draw the lines a little better for us,” Staggers said.