Sadly Johnny Cash has just passed away since this CD has been issued,
so in a way this is a sad review of this album, which is a tribute to the man
in black who although was a country artist inspired many other artists in many
different musical forms.
This album isn't strictly Blues, it's a kind of mix between Blues, Americana and
Country/Folk but it's still a good listen and a good effort from those involved.
Chris Thomas King is an artist I have been following for a while so it's nice to see
he has made a contribution, he does a good version of "Rock Island Line" as a solo
outing with just a 12 string guitar. Harry Manx showcases his bluesy Indian approach
to this inspired version of "Long Black Veil", this is a gem of an old Country song that
really proves to be a masterful Blues song, this is my favourite on the album.
Corey Harris seems to be at home with a haunting version of "Redemption".
Mavis Staples is at her best when she sings "Will The Circle Be Unbroken",
it's a song she first sung at the grand Ole Opry many years ago with
Johnny & June Cash, when she was with the Staples Singers. "I Walk The Line" with
it's great shuffling beat and Accordion accompaniment by Tony Cedras provides the
bedding for a good vocal outing by the magnificent Garland Jeffreys. Sleepy LaBeef
sounds very Country on "Frankie's Man Johnny". Alvin Youngblood Hart is really at
home on this country/folk tale of "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down". Clarence "Gatemouth"
Brown turns "Get Rhythm" into a real swing thing which is so typical of what Gatemouth
does, it sound good especially when Benjy Davis helps out on the vocal. Colin Linden
who produced the Cd also adds an Americana version of "Big River" which has some
splendid guitar work throughout.
A worthwhile effort by all concerned and though it's not really a blues album it does
contain some very good songs from the Johnny Cash songbook. This album is recommended.
Paul Reddick Train of Love
Gatemouth Brown Get Rhythm
Maria Muldaur Walking the blues
Chris Thomas King Rock Island Line
Garland Jeffreys I Walk The Line
Blackie & The Rodeo Kings Folsom Prison Blues
Harry Manx Long Black Veil
Alvin Youngblood Hart Sunday Morning Coming Down
Sleepy LaBeef Frankie's Man Johnny
Kevin Breit Send a Picture of Mother
Corey Harris Redemption
Colin Linden Big River
Mavis Staples Will the Circle Be Unbroken
Artists on the Johnny Cash Tribute CD
a.. Paul Reddick
website: www.thesidemen.com
e-mail: paul091@sympatico.ca
b.. Gatemouth Brown
website: www.gatemouth.com
e-mail: contact@gatemouth.com
c.. Maria Muldaur
website: www.mariamuldaur.com
e-mail: Oasisproductions@aol.com
d.. Chris Thomas King
website: www.christhomasking.com
e-mail: info@21cbrecords.com
e.. Garland Jeffreys
website: www.garlandjeffreys.com
e-mail: garland@garlandjeffreys.com
f.. Blackie & The Rodeo Kings
website: www.rodeokings.com
e-mail: blackie1@rodeokings.mb.ca
g.. Harry Manx
website: www.harrymanx.com
e-mail: mckerrell@yahoo.com
h.. Alvin Youngblood Hart
web-site: www.mojomusic.com/alvin/index.htm
i.. Sleepy LaBeef
website: www.sleepylabeef.com
e-mail: ray@sleepylabeef.com
j.. Corey Harris
website: www.coreyharrismusic.com
e-mail: coreymail@coreyharrismusic.com
k.. Kevin Breit
website: www.povertyplaylist.com
e-mail: vanbreit@interlog.com
l.. Colin Linden
website: www.colinlinden.com
e-mail: colin@colinlinden.com
m.. Mavis Staples
website: www.rosebudus.com/staples/
n.. Benjy Davis
website: www.benjydavisproject.com/
e-mail: bmr@benjydavisproject.com
NorthernBlues Music, Inc.
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Phone: 866-540-0003
Fax: 416-536-1494
E-Mail: info@northernblues.com
Web : www.northernblues.com
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