Tag Archives: Johnny Cash

Happy Easter Music Mix

Holy Week began yesterday morning with the waving of the palms. We stood outside our church on the corner of Ford Parkway and Macalester, savoring the little bit of sun that offered warmth against the bitter Minnesota cold. It may have been the first day of spring, but it was still in the 30s. We waved our palms to sing Hosanna, to fight back the cold, to celebrate the march toward Easter.

So with that backdrop I offer an Easter music list.

I’m always making mix CDs for my wife, and as I started another list for her, I realized I was collecting a lot of gospel songs. Most of my mixes are pretty random, so I decided to lean into the theme.

The result is a collection of music that speaks to faith and spirituality and hope and the gospel. I’m well beyond saying this is “Christian” music, but it is a collection of hymns, psalms and laments, tinged with that old-time gospel sound.

  1. “Little Light” by The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
  2. “What Wondrous Love Is This? by Chelsea Moon & The Franz Brothers
  3. “Not Enough” by Caedmon’s Call
  4. “Here it Comes” by Romantica
  5. “He Never Said a Mumblin’ Word” by The Welcome Wagon
  6. “The Man Comes Around” by Johnny Cash
  7. “Purpose (live)” by Cloud Cult
  8. “Hand in Hand” by Jayanthi Kyle
  9. “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (Rattle & Hum movie version)” by U2
  10. “Be Thou My Vision” by Ginny Owens
  11. “All the Poor and Powerless” by All Sons & Daughters
  12. “The Transfiguration” by Sufjan Stevens
  13. “Lamb of God, Have Mercy” by Gospel Machine
  14. “People of God” by Gungor
  15. “Poor Man’s Son” by Noah Gundersen
  16. “This Little Light” by Mavis Staples
  17. “This No More” by The Vespers
  18. “Amazing Grace (featuring The Lily of the Valley Gospel Choir)” by Justin McRoberts
  19. “40 (live)” by U2

Continue reading Happy Easter Music Mix

Lexi Does Johnny Cash: Devil’s Right Hand

One of my favorite Johnny Cash songs is “Devil’s Right Hand.” It’s on a playlist I created of half Lexi’s music and half my music (I can only stand so much Veggie Tales). I guess we’ve been playing that list a little too much lately, because now “Devil’s Right Hand” appears to be one of Lexi’s favorites.

Abby alluded to it yesterday and now here’s a bit of the original followed by Lexi’s rendition:

You can snag a copy of “Devil’s Right Hand.” It’s included in the Unearthed box set:

iTunes: Single / Box set

Amazon: Digital Single / Digital Box set / CD box set

The problem, Homer, is that the mind is always chattering away with a thousand thoughts at once.

I’ve been reading the autobiography of Johnny Cash since the news that came that Cash died. It’s incredibly interesting how he incorporates his faith into his life. He’s certainly fallen flat, and he admits that, but he’s found grace.

Another interesting thing is the projects you don’t hear about. My favorites are the offbeat ones. Apparently in 1986 Cash recorded the record, Chicken in Black, as a parting shot to 30 years with CBS records. They had failed to market his releases in the 1980s, and there was a fair amount of bitterness. Cash described the album as “intentionally atrocious.” I don’t think the album was ever released, but the title track was, and a video was made featuring Johnny Cash in a chicken suit. I don’t know where that video is, but somebody needs to find it.

The Children’s Album by Johnny Cash is another one I’d love to find. I haven’t been able to find out anything about the album, but it was re-released as All in the Family in 1999 and includes some previously unreleased outtakes as well as June Carter’s 1975 solo album, Appalachian Pride.

The Bible voiced by Johnny Cash is another one I’d love to have. Thomas Nelson released the audio version of the New King James version read by Johnny Cash. It’s no longer in print, but I think it should be re-released. The Bible to a classic voice like Johnny Cash (it sure beats Larry King).

On the religious theme, there’s also The Gospel Road, a movie Cash did about the life of Christ. Cash considered it one of his major accomplishments, but it’s not exactly widely available. Supposedly it’s available through World Wide Pictures, since Billy Graham and Johnny Cash were so close, but that doesn’t mean you’ll find anything there either.

Finally, there’s an album that brings together some of the odd side of Cash, Crazy Country. It’s a compilation album released in 1998 that includes “Chicken in Black,” “Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “The One on the Right Is On The Left,” and “Boa Constrictor,” among others (both “A Boy Named Sue” and “Boa Constrictor” were written by Shel Silverstein). I imagine some of these are from Cash’s Children’s Album, but who knows. As a bonus, the album is only $6.98 from Amazon.