Johnny Cash's Inspiration

I won't have to tell anyone how great a musician Johnny Cash was. He was the King of Rock and Roll, of Country, Folk and of Rock. What many people don't know, is that his wife June Carter Cash was also a very talented musician. She grew up in the famous Carter Family, pioneers of American Country music. Her mother Maybelle Carter recorded one of the first very popular country recordings with her brother in law A.P. Carter and his wife Sara. 

A.P. Carter travelled the US to find old folk songs, and recorded them with Sarah and Maybelle. They eventually recorded some 300 songs together between 1927 and 1941. He usually "forgot" to tell that these were not his own songs and was lucky to not be sued by anyone for plagiarism. Together they recorded several country traditionals: "Can the Circle be Unbroken", "Wildwood Flower", "Keep on the Sunny Side", and my favorite "Foggy Mountain Top". Maybelle Carter became known for her own guitar playing style. As she grew up not being able to play music with anyone, she decided to play both the rhythm and the melody on her guitar; it became widely known as "the Carter scratch".

 Maybelle Carter on Guitar, sitting next to Sarah and A.P. Carter

Mother Maybelle Carter gave birth to three daughters and thought them much of her musical knowledge. Soon June, Anita, and Helen were playing at the Grand Ole Opry, when a young Johnny Cash listened to them on the radio. June, while not the best singer of the three, was a great entertainer and a very good musician. She played several instruments and wrote some great hit records. "Ring of Fire" was actually written by June and made famous by Johnny Cash. Originally, however, "Ring of Fire" was written for her sister Anita. June also recorded several songs with her husband. "Jackson" was probably their most famous hit together.

Another one of my favorite recordings is the one below with Johnny Cash, the Carter sisters and Maybelle Carter. Here they are singing the Gospel song "Were You There". It was recorded during Johnny Cash's drug use period in 1960. From left to right you will see Helen, Anita, June and Maybelle Carter. Notice Anita Carter's beautiful voice. She actually did a real good duet with Hank Williams when she was still very young.

The Johnny Cash Show aired from 1969 to 1971. In it Johnny Cash sang with some of the greatest stars of the time (Linda Rondstadt, Joni Mitchell, Roy Orbinson) and of course with his own wife June. The following song was also recorded at the Johnny Cash Show. It really shows June's enormous musical talent and it's my favorite song by June Carter: "Tall Lover Man". 

June Carter - "Tall Lover Man"

 

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A History of Bluegrass (part 1)

A History of Bluegrass (part 2)

My Love Letter to Alison Krauss 

Guess who??

This musical sensation was not only influenced by Blues legends such as Muddy Water, John Lee Hooker and Robert Johnson but also got a lot of inspiration from the 1960's folk music scene in which she gew up. 

She is the daughter of a famous musical star (Oklahoma!) and an accomplished pianist and singer. She grew up in Los Angeles, and studied Social Relations and African Studies at Harvard and Radcliff. 

She has sung with numerous famous singers: Pete Seegers, B.B. King, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Norah Jones, Brian Adams and many many others. 

Her musical talent won her 9 grammy awards and commercial success from the 1970's onwards. She is now inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

While she never had a number 1 position in the American music charts, she did sing a few very popular songs: "Thing Called Love", "I Can't Make You Love Me", "You", and my favorite version of John Prine's song "Angel From Montgomery". 

Here she is, in 1974, singing the song that touches my heart everytime I hear it. 

"Angel From Montgommery"

Big Mama Thornton vs. The King

Yesterday I have already talked about the King for a bit (the fact that he was a part of  The Million Dollar Quartet). Today I will give you some Rock and Roll and some Blues. In fact, it's two versions of the same number "Hound Dog". First sung by the King himself, but then the original version by Big Mama Thornton.

As Elvis Presley probably doesn't need any further introduction, I will just let you watch this amazing video of "Hound Dog24t !". Enjoy!

Elvis Presley - "Hound Dog"

I actually like the original version of this song better than Presley's rendition. It was recorded by Big Mama Thornton just a few years before the King did, in 1952. Although it was a fairly big hit when Mrs. Thornton selling neearly two milllion copies. I am really curious which version you like best. Let me know how you like this version of "Hound Dog"! 

Big Mama Thornton - "Hound Dog"