Johnny Cash’s American VI: Ain’t No Grave (2010) – MAYBE SO
Johnny Cash's "American VI: Ain't No Grave" (2010)
(February 23, 2010)
Review:
This may be the final posthumous Johnny Cash release and its tracks may be refugees from American V, but this is perhaps his tightest, most thematically cohesive album — these are admittedly not the most impressive songs he has chosen to interpret, and yet Rick Rubin’s arrangement adds substance to these performances, which are among Cash’s finest.
Wow, finally I get to post my video. I hate when this happens- now it’s going to feel like such a short time until my next video! Anyway, I’m very proud to bring you tonight’s acoustic cover song music video of a classic song in, “Baby I Need Your Loving”.
Written by three of the Motown Records songwriters, “Baby I Need Your Loving” was the first big hit for the Four Tops back in 1964. And let me tell you, this falls into my category of “perfect recordings”. It clocks in under two minutes, but the vocals and instrumentation are just perfect. The song gives me chills. The Tops had such a unique vocal blend. The lead vocalist recently passed away, as I heard. When I saw them in concert a few years ago, there were only two original Tops left, but I still enjoyed the concert very much. Hey, there’s only two original Beach Boys left in the band…and one isn’t even technically an original!
Anyway, you may also know this song from the Johnny Rivers version in the late 60’s. His voice fit well with this classic tune, as well. But, there’s one big difference between his version and the one done by the Four Tops: the title! Johnny decided to title the song after what the chorus really says: Baby I Need Your Lovin’. Note that apostrophe? The Four Tops had the more grammatically correct version for theirs.
I had so much fun recording this- in one take, mind you. And now for my slightly melodramatic “personal” update for the week:
I really hope I can find more time to post on the blog, as I have a lot of ambition, but it keeps getting thrown to the side. Work, both during the day and at night, has helped my wife and I accomplish so much more than anyone else our age I know. But, that does come at a cost- we’re both tired and the time we do have off becomes “necessary” rather than leisurely. What do I mean by that? Well, when you don’t do anything for yourself during the week, you feel like you need to cram in a TON of fun on the weekend. Most times, that ends up in disappointment because it’s so much pressure!
But, the good news is that we’re managing things a lot better now than we were. Personally, I’m still working on the whole “friends” issue. I’ve recently realized that all my friends are gone, either taken away by disagreements, girlfriends, wives, rifts, or even just a marred past. But, it’s tough finding new friends when everyone you work with is twice your age and doesn’t have time for friends. Also, it’s tough when you don’t have time for friends yourself! Thankfully, I still have Dana to get breakfast with me each week, and I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family (both my immediate family and my in-laws). But, it would be nice to find someone that wants to hang around with me that doesn’t feel obligated because of their relation to me! 🙂
In closing- I hope the friend train stops at my station soon, for where there are friends, there is fun. Enjoy tonight’s video and make sure to come back for more, y’all! 🙂
Sorry folks- Jim Fusco Tuesday will be on Wednesday this week, as my running schedule (for a 5k I’m running with my colleagues at work) had me training tonight. I ran with my brother Mike at the gym and feel I’m making some good progress. I think I did about 4.5k tonight, plus weights, so I hope I’ll be ready when Race Day arrives in less than two weeks.
I was actually practicing quite a bit for my cover song music video, but I haven’t gotten the middle 8 down just yet. It’s such a great song- I can’t wait to premiere it tomorrow! Plus, I’m planning a long-overdue requested song for next week with a possible duet! I’m also planning on recording Barenaked Ladies’ new single, “You Run Away”, with Mike and another Brett Dennen song with him, as well. Plus, I have a few editions of “Ask the Musician” I’m ready to write…if I can find a free day here on the blog to post them without double-posting! You can take the man out of SEO…
Anyway, have a great rest of your day and make sure to stop back on Wednesday night for my next post!
To see how it’s played in the cover song music video, CLICK HERE!
“Exit Music (For A Film)”
Radiohead
(Capo 2nd fret)
Am E C D/F#
Wake from your dreams, the drying of your tears;
Am E Asus2 Am
Today we escape, we escape…
Pack and get dressed before your father hears us,
Before all hell breaks loose…
Gm D
Breathe, keep breathing;
Asus2 Am Asus2 Am Em7
Don’t lose your nerve.
Gm D
Breathe, keep breathing;
Asus2 Am Asus2 Am Em7 E
I can’t do this alone.
Sing us a song, a song to keep us warm.
There’s such a chill, such a CHILL…
Am B E F
You can laugh a spineless laugh.
F Bb E
We hope your rules and wisdom choke you…
Am E C D/F#
Now we are one in everlasting peace…
Am E Asus2 Am
We hope that you choke, that you choke…
We hope that you choke, that you choke…
We hope that you choke, that you choke.
** These chords and lyrics are interpretations and transcriptions, respectively, and are the sole property of the copyright holder(s). They are posted on this website free of charge for no profit for the purpose of study and commentary, as allowed for under the “fair use” provision of U.S. copyright law, and should only be used for such personal and/or academic work. **