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"Ho sparato ad uomo a Reno, semplicemente per vederlo morire"
J. Cash
C'è tutta l'irriverenza e la caparbietà del cantore dell'America più disadattata e ostile, in questa doppia raccolta appena uscita ad opera di un ex-detenuto che visse sulla propria pelle le cose che avrebbe cantato. Johnny Cash, infatti, fu il primo a decidere di fare dei concerti nelle carceri, e di inciderli anche.
38 anni fa (!!) infatti Johnny andò a cantare in due delle carceri più pericolose degli Stati Uniti, uno dei quali lo aveva accolto per fatti di micro-criminalità.
Ne uscirono due tra i più sorprendenti album dal vivo mai realizzati soprattutto considerando il 1968 e la conseguente "rivoluzione sociale" in pieno divenire.
Versi duri, diretti e taglienti che danno una chiara idea del personaggio Cash, detto "man in black" per la sua attinenza al pessimismo e al suo look sempre oscuro e impenetrabile. Johnny è un uomo che si sente perseguitato, pieno di rimorsi, che combatte con i demoni, e sembra che in questo scontro siano questi demoni a vincere la maggior parte delle volte. Cash non parla mai della violenza a cuor leggero. Deve sempre convivere con il rimorso di quello che ha fatto e non riesce mai a liberarsene. Un fattore e una prospettiva che lo accomuna agli altri prigionieri qui riuniti ad esaltare Cash perchè lo sentono "uno di loro".
La versatilità nell'interpretare ballate, gospel, blues, country e rockabilly e l'incisività delle sue composizioni ispirate alla vita e al lavoro quotidiano, fanno di Johnny Cash un vero e proprio punto di congiunzione tra la tradizione, il country moderno e il rock commerciale, e dunque un vero e proprio simbolo che sapeva smuovere con le sue canzoni la coscienza tormentata dell'americano medio.
Il 13 gennaio 1968 dunque, davanti ad un pubblico di duemila detenuti, sorvegliati naturalmente da guardie armate fino ai denti non proprio felici di questo concerto, Cash dette vita ad un'esibizione folgorante, una delle migliori della sua carriera, che fu immortalata proprio con "At Folsom Prison", rimasterizzato adesso con diversi brani aggiunti. E' suggestivo, ad esempio, sentire il boato del pubblico dei galeotti quando dopo le presentazioni di rito il nostro dà il via allo spettacolo proprio con "Folsom Prison Blues".
Alla fine dello spettacolo interpreta un brano composto da tale Glen Sherley, detenuto proprio a Folsom, "Greystone Chapel". Johnny non andò solo ma si fece accompagnare da tutto quanto il suo entourage: il produttore Bob Johnston, la sua giovane moglie June Carter, i fratelli Luther & Carl Perkins alle chitarre, Marshall Grant al basso e W.S. Holland alla batteria. Insieme a costoro non si devono dimenticare gli Statler Brothers e la Carter Family che fornivano le basi vocali.
Insomma un bel gruppo di tutto rispetto per un concerto di beneficenza in un carcere di massima sicurezza!
Un anno dopo Johnny ci riprovò. E fu un altro successo immortalato nel 2° disco "At San Quentin": un carcere ancor più tristemente famoso come il più duro della California e fra i più tosti di tutti gli States.
Anche qui la parte del leone la fecero tre brani diventati storici come "San Quentin" composta per l'occasione, "Wanted Man" ("ricercato") che ovviamente riscosse un successo clamoroso tra i 2000 spettatori (con grande imbarazzo delle guardie impagnate a sedare gli animi). La terza era "A Boy Named Sue", una delle prime canzoni che affrontava l'argomento omosessualità senza troppi giri di parole.
Insomma, un doppio disco da molti considerato il suo doppio-capolavoro, in un cofanetto ricco di notizie e curiosità per un'opera coraggiosa e "solitaria": come la vita e la leggenda che gravita attorno a questo personaggio schivo ma verace, morto dopo diverse peripezie nel 2003 a 71 anni, le cui gesta sono narrate nel film "Walk The Line" in programmazione nei cinema, in questi giorni.
Elenco tracce testi e video
03 Folsom Prison Blues (02:42)
I hear the train a comin'
it's rolling round the bend
and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
but that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone..
When I was just a baby my mama told me. Son,
always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry..
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
they're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars.
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
but those people keep a movin'
and that's what tortures me...
Well if they'd free me from this prison,
if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move just a little further down the line
far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
and I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away.....
06 Jackson (02:56)
(Johnny Cash and June Carter)
We got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson ...
(Johnny Cash)
...ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, I'm gonna mess around,
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson,
Look out Jackson town.
(June Carter)
Well, go on down to Jackson; go ahead and wreck your health.
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man, make a big fool of yourself,
Yeah, go to Jackson; go comb your hair!
(Johnny Cash)
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson.
(June Carter)
See if I care.
(Johnny Cash)
When I breeze into that city, people gonna stoop and bow. (Hah!)
All them women gonna make me, teach 'em what they don't know how,
I'm goin' to Jackson, you turn-a loosen my coat.
'Cos I'm goin' to Jackson.
(June Carter)
"Goodbye," that's all she wrote.
But they'll laugh at you in Jackson, and I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg.
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound,
With your tail tucked between your legs,
Yeah, go to Jackson, you big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson, behind my Jaypan Fan.
(Johnny Cash and June Carter)
Well now, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout,
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson, ever since the fire went out.
I'm goin' to Jackson, and that's a fact.
Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson, ain't never comin' back.
(Johnny Cash)
Well, we got married in a fever, hotter than a pepper sprout ...
07 Give My Love To Rose (02:40)
i found him by the railroad track this mornin'
i could see that he was nearly dead
i nelt down beside him, and i listened
just to hear the words the dyin' fella said
he said they let me outa prison, out in frisco
for ten long years i paid for what i done
i was tryin to get back to lousiana
to see my rose, and get to know my son
give my love to rose, please wont ya mister?
take her all my money, tell her buy some pretty clothes
tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
and dont forget to give my love to rose
wont ya tell um, i said thanks for waitin' for me
tell my boy to help his ma at home
tell my rose to try to find another
cause it aint right that she should live alone
mister here's the bag with all my money
it wont last them long, though it goes
god bless you for finding me this morning
now dont forget to give my love to rose
give my love to rose, please wont ya mister?
take her all my money, tell her buy some pretty clothes
tell my boy that daddy's so proud of him
and dont forget to give my love to rose
08 I Got Stripes (01:42)
On A Monday I Was Ar-rested (Uh Huh)
On A Tuesday They Locked Me In The Jail (Oh Boy)
On A Wednesday My Trial Was At-tested
On A Thursday They Said Guilty And The Judge's Gavel Fell
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me Down
On A Monday My Momma Come To See Me
On A Tuesday They Caught Me With A File
On A Wednesday I'm Down In Solitary
On A Thursday I Start On Bread And Water For A While
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me Down
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
I Got Chains --- Chains Around My Feet
I Got Stripes --- Stripes Around My Shoulders
And Them Chains --- Them Chains They're About To Drag Me
10 Greystone Chapel (05:34)
Inside the walls of prison my body may be,
but my Lord has set my soul free.
There's a grey stone chapel here at Folsom,
a house of worship in this den of sin.
You wouldn't think that God had a place here at Folsom,
but he saved the soul of many lost men.
Now this grey stone chapel here at Folsom,
stands a hundred years old made of granite rock.
It takes a ring of keys to move here at Folsom,
but the door to the house of God is never locked.
Inside the walls of prison my body may be
but the Lord has set my soul free.
There are men here that don't ever worship.
There are men here who scoff at the ones who pray.
But I've got down on my knees in that grey stone chapel,
and I've thanked the Lord for helping me each day.
Now this grey stone chapel here at Folsom,
it has a touch of God's hand on every stone.
It's a flower of light in a field of darkness,
and it's given me the stregth to carry on.
Inside the walls of prison my body may be,
but my Lord has set my soul free.
written by Glen Sherley (Folsom Inmate)
12 I Still Miss Someone (01:37)
At my door the leaves are falling
A cold wild wind will come
Sweethearts walk by together
And I still miss someone
I go out on a party
And look for a little fun
But I find a darkened corner
because I still miss someone
No, I never got over those blue eyes
I see them everywhere
I miss those arms that held me
When all the love was there
I wonder if she's sorry
For leavin' what we'd begun
There's someone for me somewhere
And I still miss someone.
15 Orange Blossom Special (03:03)
Look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
Hey, look a-yonder comin'
Comin' down that railroad track
It's the Orange Blossom Special
Bringin' my baby back
Well, I'm going down to Florida
And get some sand in my shoes
Or maybe Californy
And get some sand in my shoes
I'll ride that Orange Blossom Special
And lose these New York blues
"Say man, when you going back to Florida?"
"When am I goin' back to Florida? I don't know, don't reckon I ever will."
"Ain't you worried about getting your nourishment in New York?"
"Well, I don't care if I do-die-do-die-do-die-do-die."
Hey talk about a-ramblin'
She's the fastest train on the line
Talk about a-travellin'
She's the fastest train on the line
It's that Orange Blossom Special
Rollin' down the seaboard line
17 Send A Picture Of Mother (02:10)
After seven years behind these bars together
I'll miss you more than a brother when you go when you go
If only I had not tried to escape
They'd barred me with you I know yes I know
Won't you tell the folks back home I'll soon be coming
And don't let them know I never will be free be free
Sometimes write and tell me how they're doing
And send a picture of mother back to me
Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
And send a picture of mother if you can
I'm happy for you that you got your freedom
But stay with me just another minute or so or so
After all this sweating blood together
Who'll be my fighting partner when you go when you go
The hardest time will be on Sunday morning
Church bells will ring on Heaven Hill Heaven Hill
Please ask Reverend Garrett to pray for me
And send a picture of mother if you will
Say hello to Dad and shake his poor hardworking hand
And send a picture of mother if you can
18 The Wall (01:53)
There's alot of strange men in cellblock ten
But the strangest of em' all
Was a friend of mine who spent his time
Starin at the wall...
Starin at the wall...
In his hand was a note that his gal had wrote
Proving crime don't pay
Was the very same gal he robbed and stole for
Wanting thier wedding day...
Wanting thier wedding day...
As he looked at the wall
So strong and tall
I heard him softely curse
Nobody at all ever climed that wall
But I'm gonna be the first...
I'm gonna be the first...
Then the warden walked by and said son don't try
I'd hate to see you fall
Cause there is no doubt they'll carry you out
If you ever touch that wall...
If you ever touch that wall...
Well a years gone by since he made his try
But I can still recall
How hard he tried and the way he died
But he never made that wall...
He never made that wall...
Well there's never been a man who shook this camp
But I knew a man who tried
The newspapers called it a jailbreak plan
But I know it was sucide...
I know it was sucide...
20 Folsom Prison Blues (01:28)
I hear the train a comin'
it's rolling round the bend
and I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when,
I'm stuck in Folsom prison, and time keeps draggin' on
but that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone..
When I was just a baby my mama told me. Son,
always be a good boy, don't ever play with guns.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
When I hear that whistle blowing, I hang my head and cry..
I bet there's rich folks eating in a fancy dining car
they're probably drinkin' coffee and smoking big cigars.
Well I know I had it coming, I know I can't be free
but those people keep a movin'
and that's what tortures me...
Well if they'd free me from this prison,
if that railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move just a little further down the line
far from Folsom prison, that's where I want to stay
and I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away.....
22 I Walk The Line (03:13)
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I find it very, very easy to be true
I find myself alone when each day is through
Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
Because you're mine, I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day is light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
23 Darlin' Companion (06:10)
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
And let me be your champion: a hand to hold your pretty hand in.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin': I can depend on you.
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.
Darlin' companion, now you know you'll never be abandoned.
Love will always light our landin': I can depend on you.
Darlin' companion, come on and give me understandin'.
As long as we keep laughin', bear in mind just what could happen.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Oh, a little saucy mare like you should have a steed.
Oh, a little bridlin' down from you is what I need.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
Darlin' companion, I tell the mountains and the canyons,
Long as I got legs to stand on, I'm gonna stick by you.
24 Starkville City Jail (02:00)
by Johnny Cash
Well, I left my motel room, down at the Starkville Motel,
The town had gone to sleep and I was feelin' fairly well.
I strolled along the sidewalk 'neath the sweet magnolia trees;
I was whistlin', pickin' flowers, swayin' in the southern breeze.
I found myself surrounded; one policeman said: "That's him.
Come along, wild flower child. Don't you know that it's two a.m."
They're bound to get you.
'Cause they got a curfew.
And you go to the Starkville City jail.
Well, they threw me in the car and started driving into town;
I said: "What the hell did I do?" He said: "Shut up and sit down."
Well, they emptied out my pockets, took my pills and guitar picks.
I said: "Wait, my name is..." "Awe shut up." Well, I sure was in a fix.
The sergeant put me in a cell, then he went home for the night;
I said: "Come back here, you so and so; I ain't bein' treated right."
Well, they're bound to get you, cause they got a curfew,
And you go to the Starkville City Jail.
I started pacin' back and forth, and now and then I'd yell,
And kick my forty dollar shoes against the steel floor of my cell.
I'd walk awhile and kick awhile, and all night nobody came.
Then I sadly remembered that they didn't even take my name.
At 8 a.m. they let me out. I said: "Gimme them things of mine!"
They gave me a sneer and a guitar pick, and a yellow dandelion.
They're bound to get you, 'cause they got a curfew,
And you go to the Starkville City Jail.
25 San Quentin (04:08)
San Quentin you've living hell to me
You've called at me since 1963
I've seen them come and goa nd I've seen them die
And long ago I stopped asking why
San Quentin I hate every inch of you
You've cut me and you've scarred me through and through
And I'll walk out a wiser, weaker man
Mr. Congressman, why cant you understand?
San Quentin what good do you think you do?
Do you think I'll be different when you're through?
You bend my heart & mind and you warp my soul
Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold
San Quentin may you rot and burn in hell
May your walls fall and may I live to tell
May all the world forget you ever stood
And the whole world will regret you did no good
San Quentin you've been living hell to me.
26 San Quentin (03:08)
San Quentin you've living hell to me
You've called at me since 1963
I've seen them come and goa nd I've seen them die
And long ago I stopped asking why
San Quentin I hate every inch of you
You've cut me and you've scarred me through and through
And I'll walk out a wiser, weaker man
Mr. Congressman, why cant you understand?
San Quentin what good do you think you do?
Do you think I'll be different when you're through?
You bend my heart & mind and you warp my soul
Your stone walls turn my blood a little cold
San Quentin may you rot and burn in hell
May your walls fall and may I live to tell
May all the world forget you ever stood
And the whole world will regret you did no good
San Quentin you've been living hell to me.
27 A Boy Named Sue (03:53)
Well, my daddy left home when I was three,
and he didn't leave much to ma and me,
Just this ole guitar and an empty bottle of booze.
Now I don't blame him 'cause he run and hid,
But the meanest thing that he ever did,
Was before he left he went and named me Sue.
Well, he musta thought that it was quite a joke,
An' it got a lot of laughs from lots a folks,
Seems I had to fight my whole life through.
Some gal would giggle and I'd get red,
And some guy'd laugh and I'd bust his head,
I'll tell ya, life ain't easy for a boy named Sue.
I grew up quick and I grew up mean,
My fist got hard and my wits got keen,
I roamed from town to town to hide my shame.
But I made me a vow to the moon and stars,
I'd search the honky-tonks and bars,
And kill that man that gave me that awful name.
Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July,
and i'd just hit town and my throat was dry,
thought I'd stop and have myself a brew.
In and old saloon on a street of mud,
There at a table dealin' stud,
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue.
Well I knew that snake was my own sweet dad,
from a worn out picture that my mother had,
and I knew that scar on his cheek & his evil eye.
He was big and bent and grey and old,
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold, and I said,
"My name is Sue! how do you do! Now you gonna die!"
Yeah that's what I told him.
Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes,
And he went down but to my surprise,
Came up with a knife an' cut off a piece o' my ear.
I busted a chair right across his teeth,
And we crashed through the wall and into the street,
Kickin' and a gougin' in the the mud and the blood and the beer.
I tell you I've fought tougher men,
but I really can't remember when,
he kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile.
Well I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss,
He went for his gun but I pulled mine first,
He stood there lookin' at me and I saw him smile.
And he said, "Son, this world is rough,
And if a man's gonna make it he's gotta be tough,
And I know I wouldn't be there to help you along.
So I gave you that name and I said goodbye,
I knew you'd have to get tough or die,
And it's that name that helped to make you strong.
Now you just fought one hell of a fight,
And I know you hate me and ya got the right,
To kill me now and I wouldn't blame you if you do.
But you oughtta thank me before I die,
For the gravel in your gut and the spit in your eye,
'Cause I'm the son of a bitch that named you Sue."
yeah, what could I do, what COULD I do?
Well I got choked up and threw down my gun,
Called him my pa and he called me his son,
And I come away with a different point of view.
I think about him now and then,
Every time I try and every time I win,
And if I ever have a son,
I think I'm gonna name him,
Bill or George anything but Sue!
I still hate that name!
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