Johnny Cash's America

For all of those who are interested in hearing what Snoop Dogg has to say about Johnny Cash tune into the Biography Channel tonight to see "Johnny Cash's America". It seems like required viewing:

Who Should Bob Dylan Play Pickup With?

Read the post below - now in the article it says that Bob Dylan played Cheech AND Chong in a game of pickup. This made me wonder: who played with Bob?

If you had to pick Bobs partner who would it be? See the poll at the right side of the screen. Would it be:

Neil Young: Big guy who works well one-on-one and with other players. Could be a monster rebounder but is probably pretty slow.
Johnny Cash: Strong and REALLY tough but strong headed. He definitely would play hard but would he lose his head?
Mick Jagger: Tall, athletic and full of energy... but do Brits really know how to play basketball?
Bruce Springsteen: A work horse who will leave it all out on the court. Strong and and athletic but not very tall.

God's Gonna Cut You Down

The last Hopscast featured a song called “God’s Gonna Cut You Down” by Johnny Cash. Since it was a cover show I mentioned that it was a Moby song. Well, that isn’t entirely true. The song is actually a traditional folk song that has been recorded several times over the years. Most famously it was recorded under the name “Run On” by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires. This is the version that Moby sampled and remixed for his album Play. I am most familiar with that version, and indeed it is probably the most famous, which is why I gave him credit.

Here are some other versions of “Run On” or “God’s Gonna Cut You Down”.

"Run On" by Moby

"Run On" by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires

"Run On" by Elvis Presley

"God's Gonna Cut You Down" by Odetta

And of course the Johnny Cash video of the song:

You'll never walk alone

So a bunch of guys on my soccer skipped out of work this week to watch the Liverpool vs. AC Milan Champions League final at my house. Burgers, beer and soccer - a perfect afternoon. Why do I mention this? Because the Liverpool crowd always sings the best song in sports - "You'll Never Walk Alone". Seeing it beats any college pep song or any equivalent. It's awesome. Originally it was a show tune, written by Rogers and Hammerstein but the version they play at games is by Gerry & the Pacemakers. Usually you can't hear it over the crowd.

This song will also play a part in the next Hopscast, though I can promise the episode has nothing to do with soccer...or Liverpool. Check it out for yourself with the lyrics below.



Lyrics:
When you walk through a storm Hold your head up high, And don't be afraid of the dark At the end of a storm There's a golden sky And the sweet silver song of a lark Walk on through the wind walk on through the rain though your dreams be tossed and blown Walk on, walk on With hope in your heart and you'll never walk alone you'll never walk alone

LIVERPOOL! LIVERPOOL!

Sadly for the fans Liverpool lost 2-1. I guess one of the guys drank a few too many beers and wasn't all that impressed with the action. Apparently "Vegas" Vic is used to sleeping during the day.

Sleepy Time for Victor

Can you name a better sport song? The only ones I could think of are "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" at Cubs games, you could argue "God Bless America" at Yankees games (though I never liked the connotation) and of course the wost song in sports "Rocky Top" at Tennessee football games. Though you have to give credit to "Rocky Top" because Phish used to cover it.

Speaking of covers here is a version of Ray Charles doing "You'll Never Walk Alone", Johnny Cash doing the same song and just for phun, Phish doing "Rocky Top".

Ray Charles - You'll Never Walk Alone
Jonny Cash - You'll Never Walk Alone
Phish - Rocky Top (7/21/98 Encore at Desert Sky Pavillion in Phoenix)