Johnny Cash rocked the whole world with his American Recordings series of albums. He proved that he has his finger on the pulse of the nation as well as its roots.
Another murder ballad that came from a true story, this one relates the story of Delia Green, who was murdered by her lover on Christmas Eve 1900.
Technically more of a “negligent homicide” ballad than a murder ballad. First-person perspective from the Man in Black himself. The perils of playing with guns without the proper training, I suppose. “I drew a bead on him to practice my aim. My brother’s rifle went off in my hand.”
This week’s murder ballad is the Red-Headed Stranger by Eugene Chadbourne and Shockabilly. Yes, I know it’s originally a Willie Nelson song, and maybe I’ll post Willie’s version later in the year. Shockabilly’s version is the first I was exposed to, due to my unusual musical adolescence. And admit it, it’s fucking great.
Nice attempt at side-stepping the law there. “You can’t hang a man for shooting a woman who’s trying to steal his horse.”
Shockabilly – The Red Headed Stranger
I’m a bit ashamed that I had to find this on my own, and don’t have quite enough prog-nerd friends who would have turned me on to this before now.
A three-CD collection of prog bands interpreting the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
I’m listening to it now… If you don’t hear from me by tomorrow morning, please send a rescue party.
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My busy, busy Saturday. My own firm plans were in Silver Spring, at the Santa Fe Writers Project Spring Book Launch party, and after that, less than a mile away seeing Kiya Heartwood at a house concert at the home of my great friends Henry and Rachel.
Well, I had some time after my haircut, so I went by way of DC and ended up catching the first set of Dot Dash doing an outdoor gig at 18th & Columbia.
They’re good, solid, sensitive post-punk. Go give ’em a listen. It was fun to people-watch, too. I don’t get into the city enough.
Found some great city art just around the corner.
I kinda wanted to stay for Dot Dash’s second set, but I really wanted to make the book launch to support SFWP and their authors, so I headed back to my car and up the road to Silver Spring.
When I got there, I decided to park near Henry and Rachel’s and walk the .7 miles back to Jackie’s for the book launch, since it was a nice day and I was a bit concerned about parking for the house concert later on. Before going in, I wandered around to find an ATM, which it turns out wasn’t necessary as the book table took credit cards. I was excited to see Joe’s Record Paradise. I cut my teeth musically in their former location. I still remember the first three punk albums I bought from Joe’s.
Into Jackies, then, a bit underdressed and sweaty from walking in the heat. Couple of beers, nice chat with Andrew, photo op, then over to the book table. I was good. There must have been 15-20 different books on the table, and I only walked away with three. Had I stayed longer, I might have bought more. Here are the three I settled on:
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I was sad to cut out of there early, only hearing one of the authors reading, but glad I got to experience the event — I had never been to a book launch before. Plenty of art openings, record release parties, etc., but never a book launch.
Headed back over to H&R’s for the house concert. H&R have a lending library in front of their house. It’s a cool concept. Someone a few blocks up their street has one too. I made sure to leave a copy of the Krylon book in both.
It was sooooooo, sooooooo good to see my friends again. These are people that have been a positive influence on me for two thirds of my life.
After hellos, intros to the other guests and a couple of beers, we sat down for the show. I had done some research, and listened/watched a bit on Youtube to Kiya’s work, but I wasn’t prepared for the show. Last night’s show had a theme, and it was a good, strong, and well-timed theme. It was storytelling and songs for the common man, the working man, teaching about Mother Jones, Joe Hill, Calamity Jane and Walt Whitman. Informative, educational, entertaining, and passionate. You can tell that Kiya has deep feelings about these themes. Sorry my pic is blurry…
After the show, had a great time hanging out and listening to recordings in the fantastic studios of Red Sky Audio, and then chatting with everyone in the front room. Then it was time to make the bleary-eyed drive back to the burg. Long, difficult drive, which included a short nap in a McDonald’s parking lot. Home by 2AM or so.
I like my life.
I am colossally excited about the release of this new Finnegans Wake project. This will be my next audiobook to tackle. It’s 31 hours of james Joyce’s Finnegans Wake being read aloud, with backing music by different groups of musicians per section.
Details at http://www.finnegansweb.com/
Nick Cave’s Red Right Hand reimagined as a Dr. Seuss story.
What a positively wicked juxtaposition.
He has previously Seussified The Call of Cthulu by H.P. Lovecraft.
This man is my hero of the day, for sure.
http://flavorwire.com/517615/nick-caves-red-right-hand-reimagined-as-a-dr-seuss-book/view-all
A beautifully nasty ballad about the famed Scottish cannibal family of Sawney Bean. As with most events of folklore in the distant past, nobody knows if it ever really happened. But it’s a ghastly story even if it didn’t.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sawney_Bean
Dresden Dolls First Orgasm: http://youtu.be/-Su7VOpsl4E