There are a few country music dynasties still in existence, still putting out great music under the radar, forgotten by "country" radio and "country" fans, but behind all the glitter and glamour that's become what they call "country" music today (forgetting, apparently, the actual dictionary definition of the word country) there are still a few real, down-home, country music families.
It has to be admitted that Tommy Cash has always been overshadowed by his powerhouse brother Johnny; still, Tommy has a respectable recording career of his own. He demonstrates his continued ability to produce great songs with his newest disc, "Fade to Black," a collection of old and new songs subtitled "Memories of Johnny." While Johnny's name and some of his songs might appear on this disc, it's still all Tommy's work and shows his stamp on every note.
Cash performs fifteen songs on "Fade to Black," beginning with new original "Some Kind of Woman," a duet performed with fellow classic artist George Jones. Jones sounds better than ever singing here, his melodious voice mixing well with Cash, whose own baritone is sounding strong and forceful as always.
In addition to the new original tracks, Cash also presents a few of his brother's hits, such as "Ring of Fire," "I Walk the Line," and "Folsom Prison," as well as oldie "Get Rhythm" and the spoken-word classic "Ragged Old Flag." He also performs his own biggest hit, the time capsule song "Six White Horses," written by Larry Murray, which captures beautifully the era it was originally recorded in, the turbulent late sixties, as it mourns the loss of John and Robert Kennedy and the Reverend Martin Luther King while discussing the times and men of violence timely as well as timeless, it's almost frightening how well it still plays today. Cash is singing and playing with the always-superior Marty Stuart, a long-time friend of the Cash/Carter family.
The disc closes out with a remake of the Ferlin Husky classic, "Wings of a Dove," sung with sister Joanne Cash. It's a good version, but I have to admit I prefer the original. The other Cash performing on this disc is Mark, Tommy's son, who joins in a duet on "I Walk The Line" and harmony vocals on "San Quentin."
Definitely a well-crafted disc, with sound producing, excellent songs, and solid performances, this is a collection of songs for any classic traditional country lover as well as appealing to lovers of alt-country and Americana. Long live the dynasties!
0 Comments