Music Diary – 13th January

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 13th January!

On the 13th January 1968 a historic performancy by Johnny Cash happened: The Man in Black, featuring June Carter, Carl Perkins and the Tennessee Three, played a very special concert at Folsom Prison (near Sacramento, California). In front of 2,000 inmates, Johnny and his band played classics. like „Folsom Prison Blues„, „25 Minutes to go„, „Jackson“ and „Cocaine Blues„.

The concert was recorded and released under the moniker „At Folsom Prison“ by Columbia Records in May 1968. The LP became one of Johnny Cash’s most famous and successful albums and it reached number one the country chart and the top 15 on the regular album chart.

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Music Diary – 29th September

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 29th September!

Jerry Lee Lewis

On the 29th September 1935 Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis aka „The Killer“ was born in the town of Ferriday, Louisiana (USA). The singer and pianist is considered as one of the greatest Rock’n’Roll musicians in history. At the age of 21, Jerry Lee Lewis traveled for an audition to the legendary Sun Records studios in Memphis, Tennessee. Jack Clement recorded the cover version of „Crazy Arms“ (formerly recorded by Ray Price) and Lewis‘ own composition „End of the Road“. One month later, in December 1956, Lewis started his solo career and became also a sessions musician for Sun Records. His unique piano playing can be heard on many recordings for artits like Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

On the 4th December 1956 the historic jam session featuring Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins,  Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis happened. Label owner Sam Phillips recorded it. 25 year later is was available titled as „Million Dollar Quartet„.

In 1957 Lewis recorded his first hit „Whole Lotta Shakin‘ Going On„. And more chartbreaker followed like „Great Balls of Fire„, „Breathless“ and „High School Confidential„. After his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin Myra in the same year, his popularity was quickly gone due to this scandal. He still recorded all over the years and especially his wild live performances in the sixties became legendary. The live album „Live at the Star Club, Hamburg“ (1964) proves this: „‚Live at the Star Club‘ is extraordinary, the purest, hardest rock & roll ever committed to record“, so music critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine (Allmusic).

In 1989 the biographical movie „Great Balls of Fire!“ directed by Jim McBride with Dennis Quaid starring as „The Killer“ and Winona Ryder as Myra was released. For the soundtrack Jerry Lee Lewis re-recorded his songs.

After the induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), Lewis toured again in 1998 with the two Rock’n’Roll legends Chuck Berry and Little Richard. In 2006 the album „Last Man Standing “ was released. Three years later the record „Mean Old Man“ hit the stores. For the 18 new songs he worked together with people like Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Mick Jagger, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Keith Richards, Kid Rock, Slash, Ringo Starr, Robbie Robertson and Ronnie Wood – just to name a few.

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Music Diary – 12th September

Welcome to my Music Diary – today for the 12th September!

Johnny Cash (26th February 1932 – 12th September 2003)

The 12th September 2003 is one of the saddest days in music history: The Man in Black,  John R. „Johnny“ Cash, died at the age of 71 years in Nashville, Tennessee.

Cash was well known as the outstanding Country musician, but he was quite more than this. He knew no borders and especially his last albums, the legendary „American Recordings„, which were produced by Rick Rubin, prove that.

Beside his many hits like „Ring of Fire“ (which was written by his later wife June Carter), „I walk the Line„, „Folsom Prison Blues“ or “ A Boy named Sue“ the two jailhouse recordings „At Folsom Prison“ (1968) and „At San Quentin“ (1969) are still classics and timeless albums.

In 2004/2005 James Mangold directed the biographical film „Walk the Line“ based on the early life and career of Johnny Cash with Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash.

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Music Diary – 1st July

Welcome to another day in my personal music diary!

On the 1st July 2001 I bought the tribute album „Substitute – The Songs Of The Who“ which features acts like Pearl Jam, David Bowie or Sheryl Crow who recorded Who classics from all over the years. To have an idea – here’s the exact setlist:

Cast – The Seeker
Ocean Colour Scene – Anyway Anyhow Anywhere
Paul Weller – Circles
David Bowie – Pictures of Lily
Pearl Jam – The Kids Are Alright
Fastball – The Real Me
Unamerican – Naked Eye
Stereophonics – Who Are You
Phish – 5.15
Sheryl Crow – Behind Blue Eyes
The Who feat. Kelly Jones – Substitute

If I have to pick my personal favorite it would be „Naked Eye“ covered by Unamerican – and for Heaven’s Sake Limp Bizkit didn’t contribute their horrible version of „Behind Blue Eyes„. So thank you Fred Durst that you recorded it two years later 😉

Cheers,

Alex Melomane