It’s America’s birthday today!
I’m sure you all have your own way of celebrating July 4th, but I hope it involves good food, good company, good fireworks, and good times. I, myself, and in all other ways dealing with me, will be spending it with my parents. We’ll probably BBQ and then watch some fireworks from their front lawn. They have a fantastic view and we can usually see a few different fireworks displays.
I had a few different ideas on what to do with this post… at first I wanted to compile a bunch of songs that mentioned a different state, but that would mean I’d have to post 50 songs… and sorry, folks, but Swap’s kinda lazy in that regard. After thinking about it more, though, I surmised that I could cut that number down by using U2‘s song, “Heartland” (which would eliminate all the states west of the Mississippi and east of the Rockies, I think) but then that wouldn’t be too fair to those states.
So after dumping that idea, I figured I’d just post every live performance of Bruce Springsteen‘s “Independence Day,” but then I remembered that he once said that the song reminds him of the time between the end of Summer and the beginning of Fall… so that wouldn’t do.
Finally, I decided to just post some rare recordings from an artist that is undeniably American… and who is more American than Johnny Cash? I don’t know, and neither does the guy that cut you off on the interstate today… incidentally, that guy’s name is Ken Adams and he lives at 6361 South Udder Ave.
Johnny Cash‘s American Recordings are some of my favorite albums. I still play them regularly, especially III and IV. I love how fragile his voice is on these albums… fragile yet still one of the most penetratingly powerful voices that has ever existed. Someone once told me that the voice of God sounds pretty much like Johnny Cash. That’s hard to argue against, no matter if you’re deeply religious or not.
There have been a plethora of these American Recordings albums… from numbers 1-5, the Unearthed box set and now the sixth of the series, Ain’t No Grave, which was released just this last February. I won’t mind if there’s a seventh, mind you.
Below you will find outtakes from the first of the series, Rick Rubin‘s living room in California. Cash’s voice is still nice and strong here… most of the takes are just Cash and a guitar, but there’s one with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and someone’s singing harmony vocals with Cash on “Banks of the Ohio.”
If you’re a Johnny Cash fan, then you need these outtakes in your music library. If you’re not familiar with his American Recordings series, then hopefully these outtakes will pique your interest… some of these outtakes (a few are different versions) can be found in the Unearthed box set, which really isn’t a bad place to start.
Enjoy and Happy 4th of July!
Your Dig-It Download:
Johnny Cash – American Outtakes full ZIP
Download: What On Earth
Download: The Drifter
Download: I Witnessed a Crime (with Billy Gibbons)
Download: Banks of the Ohio
Download: The Next Time I’m in Town
Download: Breaking Bread
Download: To Beat the Devil
Download: Friends in California
Download: The Caretaker
Download: The Wonder of You
Download: East Virginia Blues
Download: Bury Me Not
Download: Old Chunk of Coal
Download: Go On Blues
Download: If I Give You My Soul
Popularity: 8% [?]
Happy 4th to you as well! Thanks for all the goodies, my mom LOVES Johnny Cash so I am going to download these for her as well. I like when you post outtakes, it makes some of these mega stars seem like humans if that makes any sense.
Ken Adams….hahahahah
WOW! Thank you for all the Johnny today. Have a great 4th!
I love outtakes as well because of the very same reason. They offer the listener a glimpse into the not-so-perfect world of recording and brings the artist down from the pedestal to someone who's just trying to find a spark. Plus, I love studio chatter!
You're welcome and Happy 4th to you as well! Thank you always for reading!
Nice. “Old Chunk of Coal” is a fave of mine. Going to give these a spin now. Right back atcha w/download goodness…http://thesixonefournine.com/american-tunes-foot-stompers-shit-kickers-and
These recordings define “raw.” Just wonderful. Would have given a LOT to be in that room listening. THANK YOU for such a nice holiday gift.
Johnny Cash was a great pick.
And just many recordings of “Independence Day” do you have? I checked my iTunes and I have 31. Would have been a hell of a download.
God Bless America……
I don't have 31… wow! You have 31!!!! I only have somewhere in the 20's… wow! 31!!!!!!
I can send you some if you want 31, too. I got hooked in with some Euro Springsteen fans a couple of years back. They recorded every Springsteen concert, many off the board. I probably have more than 31, just not on the HD.
These Euro fans attended that many shows? Wow! I'd love to hear what you got, but only the good recordings LOL.
Have you seen Springsteen live? If so, which tour?
I think it would be easier to tell you the ones I didn't see. How about my 1st time? March, 1974 at Liberty Hall here in Houston. I was attending the U of H and had bought Springsteen's first two albums. At the time, Houston had one of the first free-style FM radio stations K101 nee KFMK and a Pacifica station KPFT, and he was getting airplay including a song not on either of his albums, “Fever” which was getting a lot of play and creating some buzz. But although he had very interesting songs, Springsteen seemed more folk than rock.
In Feb '74, I think, Skipper, who was my…..hm-m-m…..very good friend and herb salesperson, told me that Springsteen was coming to town and I was not repeat not to miss him. I bought tickets to the Thursday show for $3.50, for myself and several friends. I can only tell you it was one of, if not the greatest concerts I have ever seen. It was the first rock concert I had seen to feature a TUBA! Or to have a piano artist such as David Sancious. Or to have a skuffy looking, skinny singer (who I resembled, as was commented on by several people – unkempt beard, longest hair but only to the shoulders, and who was my age – we were born a month apart). This band, this incredible band proceeded for almost 3 hours to completely rewire everyone's head as to what the magic of Rock 'n Roll truly was. At some point during the concert I stood up on my folding metal chair and yelled, “I”M HAVING A F**KING RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE!”, which got a glance and smile from Bruce, and was anonymously quoted in the Daily Cougar (U of H) newspaper.
Needless to say, everyone laid siege to the box office which if you knew Liberty Hall was an adventure in itself, and bought tickets for as many of the five remaining shows (soon to be six) as we could.
I have seen shows from nearly every tour in the past 36 years. I did miss the Born in the USA Tour because I was working overseas, and didn't get to see Bruce with Sessions Band, much to my regret.
Hope you will forgive the length of this ramble.
Mark
WOW! That's so awesome! Although I have favorite bands and artists, I haven't done what you've done! I bet Sancious was great to watch. The only time I've seen him perform is with Clapton on the One More Car, One More Rider DVD. LOVED his playing on it.
I've read that a LOT of people have religious experiences at Bruce concerts LOL!!!!! You must have some great stories.
I have yet to see my first Bruce concert. I've seen so many videos, though, that I feel as if I've attended one. Do you have bootlegs of these shows you've been to? THAT must be cool to be able to go back and revisit the show.
The only band I've seen multiple times are The Black Crowes, Rush, and Depeche Mode. Incredible shows… I need to get out more.
Feel free to ramble here anytime!!!!
Thanks!