Happy birthday Johnny Cash

Today is Johnny Cash's birthday and the man deserves a nod. This has basically been 'The Year of Johnny Cash,' what with the Walk The Line movie and all the pursuant renewed interest in The Man In Black.

So I won't dwell too much on his history, but just throw a few songs up there that we can all appreciate in his honor today.

First, the simple percussion and gritty epitomization of Cash's unique style and who he was all comes together to make this a gem of a song. I guess he succeeds in his exhortations to get rhythm because I have to tap my toes when I hear this:

"Get Rhythm" - Johnny Cash

Bob Dylan & Johnny Cash did a whole session in Nashville in 1969 of great tunes together. Here is one of my favorites:

"Matchbox" (Carl Perkins cover!) - Johnny Cash & Bob Dylan

And this one I am putting up just because it *always* makes me smile to hear the standard, famous introduction to the Live at Folsom Prison recording, probably one of my favorite Cash CDs: "Hello, I'm Johnny Cash." Just something about the way he says it encapsulates who he was.

"Folsom Prison Blues" (Live at Folsom Prison) - Johnny Cash

Also, I am currently reading an interesting biopic on the man, called "The Man Comes Around: The Spiritual Journey of Johnny Cash," which is a fascinating look at his messy, honest, and at times broken faith and path to redemption. This title track from the 2002 CD of the same name was a late discovery for me (just recently), and I really like the whole dusty spoken-word apocalyptic feel to it.

"The Man Comes Around" - Johnny Cash

"Every man knows he is, basically, a complete sissy

compared to Johnny Cash."

— Bono