Okay, I was checking out Baby Got Books this morning, and the current post, which concerned a book of photographs of country music stars at a variety of open concerts during the ’60s. It’s called Pure Country, and it looks to be very interesting. As part of the post, Tim, who runs BGB and very well at that, added some streaming audio of Hank williams, the Carter Family, Dolly Parton, and George Jones singing “He Stopped Loving Her Today” on Austin City Limits.
Well, it just so happens that I saw that Austin City Limits, or at least most of it. And old George was sensational. I hadn’t really paid him the mind that he deserved before that night, but I’ve done my best to not continue that mistake in its wake. You can’t understand what country music is and ought to be without understanding George Jones and others of his generation, especially Johnny Cash (whose version of Soundgarden’s Rusty Cage I just heard last weekend and am still recovering from).
My favorite bit of George Jones on Austin City Limits was him singing a song called “The King Is Gone.” Here it is for your enjoyment:
And what the hell, here’s Johnny’s video for “Rusty Cage”:
Enjoy.
Thanks for the links. Great videos. I had forgotten about The King is Gone.
If you haven’t seen the video for Johnny Cash covering the Nine Inch Nails song Hurt, check it out. You’ll either be tearing up at the end or you’re a heartless bastard.
Comment by Tim — December 5, 2008 @ 8:25 am |
Tim–
Apparently, despite rumors to the contrary, I am not a heartless bastard. A friend and I have just been emailing each other on this topic since yesterday, and we’re both amazed at how much great work Johnny did in the last years of his life. Profound, wonderful, heartbreaking, joyous. Everything you get out of song.
I tried posting a comment over on BGB yesterday morning, but technical difficulties ensued. Let’s just leave at that I enjoyed and appreciated the post.
Comment by Len — December 5, 2008 @ 9:23 am |
I certainly wasn’t casting any aspersions on your character!
I got to see Johhny Cash play at the House of Blues during the Olympics. He seemed to be genuinely humbled and tickled at the amazing response that night to his songs. Incredible.
Comment by Tim — December 5, 2008 @ 10:08 am |