Experiment #2: Siren
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.
O Joy O Joy, my favorite things come together — Amanda Fucking Palmer and Neil Gaiman performing a murder ballad together.
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
Mary Ellen Bute was an experimental filmmaker. This appears to be the last film she directed. It was screened at Cannes.
This one’s so good I’m going to post two versions. Dock Boggs’ version, because he’s Dock Boggs, and the Ralph Stanley (and Ralph Stanley II) version, because I just love Ralph’s unique voice, especially in this song.
This song is first person, in the voice of the murderer. He murders twenty-one year old Wild Bill Jones for getting too close to his woman, then ends up in prison for it.
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