Willie Nelson has released a new Album called "Songbird." It is brilliant, and I suggest checking it out.Nelson has become a cross-genre legend, in the same way that Johnny Cash managed in his final decade. However, while Cash's "American Recordings" (his last five albums from 1994-2005) betray the artist's frailty--such that I was not surprised when I heard that Cash had died--"Songbird" betrays nothing but Nelson's genius.
By all means, the man should probably be dead, but he sounds great.While Cash's final albums sounded tired and weary, Nelson's sounds more poignant and reflective. He is tired, but not exhausted. He is old, but not ready to die. (Contrast this with the message and tone of Cash's final song--the last one he wrote--"Like the 309," in which he begins, "It should be a while before I meet Doctor Death..." but anyone listening knows that "a while" is measured in days, not years).
Since Elvis's passing, no one else comes close to Nelson's vibrato. And while Elvis sang vibrato like no one else, there is more lingering emotion in Nelson's. He sings his lyrics with a sighing "alas," but not necessarily a depressing one. His are the vocals of an aged man with, as Frank Sinatra sang so brilliantly in "My Way," "Regrets...a few, but then again too few to mention." For all of you youngsters out there, I recommend that you dip into Willie Nelson's discography.
Although I agree that Willie is magnificent and his has recently been putting out some great new stuff again, I am disappointed at your lack of appreciation for Cash's last albums.
ReplyDeleteCash did sound his age in the American Recordings box set that followed his death. However he still could keep up with some great old up-tempo songs. You never hear in his voice (light years better than Nelson's) the signs of giving up. He had a serious illness for Pete's sake. Also, if you listen to American II, you can hear that this is a man who is pleased with his life and a happy man, if a man about to die nonetheless.
I applaud you for posting kudos to a great american songwriter and icon but don't dis on another great american songwriter and icon in the process.
In other notes on Cash, I think in those American Recordings albums the harmony between Tom Petty and some of the Heartbreakers and Cash is phenomenal. Check the liner notes, I'll bet your favorites songs were those played with Petty and the Heartbreakers.
I didn't say that Cash couldn't keep up with his songs or deliver a stellar recording. I said that he sounded tired and weak. It's not a "dis." It's an undeniable observation.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it's not altogether a criticism. Cash's frailty brought it to new levels and added a special relevance that many singers have tried to fake but rarely approached adequately.
Furthermore, you mention American II, but I mentioned American V. There's a big difference between them, buddy.
Be that as it may, I think that you took what was meant as a complement to Willie to be a "dis" on Cash. This was not the intent.