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Today we shall discuss an interesting Johnny Cash LP in the following thread. "Johnny Cash sings Ballads of the True West", as well as discussing some relevant historical info whenever I find it relevant. This may take some time, so we'll get started now before I go sleep. 1/?
First we'll talk about "Hiawatha's Vision", this is not a traditional song by any means. More akin to spoken word if anything, Hiawatha himself was a leader of the Onogonda people in NE America; and along with "The Great Peacemaker" created the Iroquois Confederacy 2/?
It is unknown when he died, but presumed around the late 16th c; less is known about his life. Only stories exist, regardless the song itself is a haunting vision in which Hiawatha states that strangers from across the sea will displace the native peoples.... 3/?
...it is a rather haunting piece. This was achieved by the somber tone of Cash's voice, and the softness of the guitar barely audible in the background. This serves as the start for what would be an entire album about America's movement westward.
Next up we have "The Road to Kaintuck" a song all about the first major expansion westward into the area we would call Kentucky and Tennessee. This is obviously a big jump in time from Hiawatha's song. This taking place in the late 18th and early 19th c. 5/?
The road westward was perilous, due in part to the natives who were resisting American expansion; and those that braved the frontiers were rarely represented in government. Hence why we see the rise of figures such as Daniel Boone in politics... 6/?
He would eventually die in 1820 in Missouri after natural causes; but would still remain an important figure in forming the American Identity of the Brave Frontiersman. His life was troubled with financial problems, and he would die with some debt.
The song itself is rather, jaunty, featuring some country Banjo and some backing choir that nicely accompany Cash's deep voice. As expected of Cash the song is half singing and half talking with melody. A very good song to listen to in my opinion; as it has a very good flow 8/?
Next up we have "The Shifting Whispering Sands Part 1"
The Shifting Whispering Sands was a poem and song written by V.C. Gilbert and his wife Mary Hadler in the 1950s. It reached the charts a few times, and is just about a prospector experiencing the desolation... 9/?
The Shifting Whispering Sands was a poem and song written by V.C. Gilbert and his wife Mary Hadler in the 1950s. It reached the charts a few times, and is just about a prospector experiencing the desolation... 9/?
of the desert and there he learns the supposed "mystery" of the sands. As stated above the song was popularly covered throughout the 50's to 60's. They often feature some backing choir and are a mix of singing and speaking. We'll come back to it again later. 10/?
The song itself much like it's predecessors is a mix of spoken word and song. It's has a slow ballad rhythm, and I wouldn't call it bad per say, but I can't say I'm a big fan of it. Though the backing choir is very pleasant to listen to. There was clear effort put into it. 11/?
Now we'll discuss two tracks as they are linked together, "Narration 1" and "Ballad of Boot Hill". Narration 1 serves as the historical background for the ballad itself. The Ballad of Boot Hill refers to the famous gunfight at the O.K. Corral in 1881... 12/?
