A sweet and mellow homage that brings back memories for me as well of dogfight and civil war drawings and the Peace at Appomattox.
But don’t feel badly about the eponymous/posthumous gaff. The trick is to pair the former with restaurant, and avoid going to the latter. Easy-peasy. 🤷🏽
Terrific piece! “Tired and cranky,” definitely. A Southern Leonard Cohen! I too love your friend’s assessment of vulnerability mixed with grit. He was a military man, after all. But so in touch with humanity.
Your time in Ann Arbor as a tot coincides with some amazing trips there for me, highlighted by the Ann Arbor blues and jazz Festival. Nothing short of astounding.
One of his best songs was "If You Don't Like Hank Williams", where he reeled off a list of pop, rock and country acts he dug (and said that, in response to the title phrase, "you can kiss my ass"). He is now in the company of many of them...
Thanks for this! I too wonder whether Christgau ever reconsidered his assessment. It occurred to me this morning that I had never heard the original version of “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, only the Cash version. So I pulled it up and was blown away - where Johnny’s version is almost upbeat at times, you get a much different emotional approach from Kris, and a much more real one to my ears.
Fascinating piece, Dan, and took me back to playing and drawing on my own living room carpet while various records spun. Happy days. Love Kris’s candid interview after the Isle of Wight footage.
A sweet and mellow homage that brings back memories for me as well of dogfight and civil war drawings and the Peace at Appomattox.
But don’t feel badly about the eponymous/posthumous gaff. The trick is to pair the former with restaurant, and avoid going to the latter. Easy-peasy. 🤷🏽
That Isle of Wight footage is priceless!
Terrific piece! “Tired and cranky,” definitely. A Southern Leonard Cohen! I too love your friend’s assessment of vulnerability mixed with grit. He was a military man, after all. But so in touch with humanity.
Thank you - and yes, a Southern Leonard Cohen indeed!
Your time in Ann Arbor as a tot coincides with some amazing trips there for me, highlighted by the Ann Arbor blues and jazz Festival. Nothing short of astounding.
I was definitely too young to make (or appreciate) that scene, but I vaguely recall the buzz about it.
Wow! Nice piece…again.
Do you know if Christgau ever came around and/or eased off a bit on the critique of his singing ability?
Good question! Subject for further research…
Excellent piece, Dan! Thank you!
One of his best songs was "If You Don't Like Hank Williams", where he reeled off a list of pop, rock and country acts he dug (and said that, in response to the title phrase, "you can kiss my ass"). He is now in the company of many of them...
He was never shy about expressing a deeply-held opinion, on record or in person, and I loved that about him.
Thanks for this! I too wonder whether Christgau ever reconsidered his assessment. It occurred to me this morning that I had never heard the original version of “Sunday Morning Coming Down”, only the Cash version. So I pulled it up and was blown away - where Johnny’s version is almost upbeat at times, you get a much different emotional approach from Kris, and a much more real one to my ears.
Absolutely agree - no disrespect to Mr. Cash, but I FAR prefer Kristofferson’s version.
Fascinating piece, Dan, and took me back to playing and drawing on my own living room carpet while various records spun. Happy days. Love Kris’s candid interview after the Isle of Wight footage.