Ray Charles turns up the heat on Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” (stop what you are doing and watch this NOW!)
I don’t think I can say anything more to emphasise how fucking brilliant this is. Ray takes this song to a new level…and that is no easy task.
The cultural impact of Johnny having Ray on his show cannot be understated. Can you imagine the loyal Cash rednecks watching this? But that is what Johnny was…the Great Communicator. Races, religions, genres…he bridged all gaps.
Ray Fucking Charles…
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This vid is from the killer DVD box set of the Johnny Cash TV show http://bit.ly/d0BeZu . The balls Johnny had to put this show on were made of steel.If you are fan of music…go and buy this and hunker down to watch it start to finish.
Interpretations showcase the essence of music for me. Like surprise collaborations but with reverence sprinkled in to the mixture.Spot on with the cultural impact observation, Judd. Can’t you just picture a fat-ass red-neck wearing a stained wife-beater, swilling Schlitz from a can, in front of his TV, totally dumbfounded at what he is hearing and seeing. Hats off to Johnny for going there!
@horring Yeah, Cash knew no boundaries. At the time, the sight of Ray Chalres NAILING Ring Of Fire must’ve fucked with the minds of the Schlitz swillers
Speaking of ground breaking piano playing legends, Martino and I are off to see the good Dr. John at The Basement tomorrow night. What a treat to see him in such an intimate setting eh!
So here I mope in Sydney, feeling like the only person on this tectonic plate to be looking for the sound of Bo Diddley’s vertebrae, Kierkegaard’s understanding of grace and the human illness, the gravity of Mr Cash, the gratitude of Mr Charles, and all the deepest humbling truths of mankind’s accumulation… but all the while feeling more like I am surrounded and out-numbered by Dylan’s Mr Jones or the likelihood that I have become him myself (or the agents of Desolation Row) in this unrecognizable sea of money-men and the chrome-hell flocking women of city lights and that yard of mechanical efficiency. It is of a heart-felt relief that I read your blog and to know that there are (or were) others here who I can recognize and understand. Cheers to you.
@idlehead Kind words. I lived in Sydney for five years. I know what you need. I want you to go to Mojo Music on York street in Sydney (http://www.mojomusic.com.au/mojo_who.htm). They will have the cure for what ails you. Ask for Nev (I call him the Kingfish). Tell him Judd sent you. Be sure to tell him that. Tell him that I said you need the “Mojo Feel” and he should request some “Nuggets” for you.Nev will do you right. He is the Axis…go ask him. Nev and the otehr regulars “recognize and understand”. Do this now. Go tonight. You will find what you are looking for there. I went there every Friday night for four years straight. It is my fave place in the world to be.Oh yeah, bring some Cooper’s for for the fridge. Tell me how you go…
@horring What fun we had at the Basement watching intimate gigs by larger than life performers. Enjoy. Enjoy. Enjoy. Wish I was going to be there for the Gris Gris King. Tell Martino hello…
And the legends keep coming. Following the good Dr. tonight, it’s John Mayall at the same venue on Monday. Wish you were here!
@horring Ahhh! Must be time for the Byron Bay Bluesfest! I love the secondary gigs that fall out of that. Saw Buddy Guy & Bo Diddley in Sydney after they played a Bryon show. Who else you have on the gig list? The Basement…does Martino still have a blank check there?
You got it. Am also going to see Jeff Beck and what should be an all-time classic gig: Buddy Guy & Taj Mahal at The Enmore. Cool time of year eh!
@Horring Kip, where is Jeff Beck playing. Are Buddy Guy & Taj playing together or is that two separate gigs? Either way…killer line-up of gigs. You’ve got to take advantage of this time of year…few and fr between otherwise
Beck at The Enmore on Tuesday. Then a Buddy/Taj double header on Thursday at The Enmore. They are both playing with their own bands, so I imagine that Taj will open for Buddy. But I bet Taj comes back out for Buddy’s encore and some special duets??? We’ll see.
@horring “Taj will open for Buddy”. ’nuff said, Kipster.