Feb 232010
 

Today, Feb. 23, is the release date for the Man in Black’s official swan song.

American VI: Ain’t No Grave is the final installment of Johnny Cash’s legendary “American” series, and the second in the series to be released posthumously.  And after this, that’s it–there won’t be no mo’.

In many ways, Johnny Cash was the consummate indie artist–not in self-releasing his records, but in his independent spirit and in his music which was almost impossible to categorize.  (They loosely tried to put him in the country genre, but he never really fit there.) When I was three, I wanted to be Johnny Cash, and pretended to be Johnny Cash, and told people I was Johnny Cash–which is actually pretty funny if you think about it (imagine a high-voiced three-year-old kid with a ukelele strapped to his back).

Anyhow.

This is history, really–some of the last songs Johnny ever recorded. You can download the album from Amazon or iTunes using the links below.

One other thing–February 26 would have been Johnny’s 78th birthday. To celebrate his birthday, his record, and his voice for the down-and-out, wear black for Johnny this Friday.

In case anyone was wondering…that’s not me on the record cover.  That really is Johnny Cash as a kid. :)

Buy the CD from Amazon

or buy it on vinyl here!

Dec 042009
 

Expanded commentary from my article on Examiner.com

I like different music for different reasons. I like music that makes me think and ponder; I like music that evokes images and emotions. I like music that challenges my ears.

And then there is music that is just plain “soul food”, like a greasy plate of fried chicken, corn on the cob, and chocolate pie–without the calories. Music that’s just good for the soul.

That’s what I heard from Tab Benoit at the Little Bear Saloon last night (which I also wrote about here). Hailing from southern Louisiana, Benoit plays a unique blend of Cajun blues-rock that flat-out dares you not to stomp your foot, or at least smile. The temperature in Evergreen, Colorado last evening was 2 above zero, but it was sizzling inside.

It was the first time I’d seen Benoit play, and in his easygoing, spontaneous style, he’s a true-blue musician (pun intended). Twice in a half hour he broke a guitar string playing a solo, and didn’t miss a beat. He just finished the solo, and the song, on the five good strings. And he enjoyed himself; you could see it on his face. He was all about the music. I’m not a blues musician; he made me wish I was.

If you want a taste of some soul music, and you happen to live in Denver, you have a chance tonight. Tab Benoit is still in the area, playing at the Gothic Theatre downtown this evening. Get some tickets, and go see him.

Nov 242009
 

Amazon.com is giving you an early Christmas present. From now until November 30, 2009, Amazon.com is offering a $3 credit, which you can use to purchase any of their millions of MP3s. The credit is good only for MP3 downloads.

Just click on this link and follow the instructions. If you don’t have an account with Amazon.com, you will be prompted to sign up for one for free. If you use iTunes for your digital music library, Amazon even has a download manager that allows you to send your purchases directly to iTunes. And lots of times their downloads cost less than iTunes!

Free music from Amazon? Who could beat that deal?