The Pugilist At 59 / Beautiful Trouble / Stealing Electricity / The Sound Of One Heart Breaking / Ash Wednesday / K.C. Violin / Four Chambered Hearts / Stolen Children / It Goes Away / All The Fine Young Ladies / Old Heart
Producers: Tom Russell, Gurf Morlix, Mark Hallman
Hightone HCD 8190 (45:36)
*****
From Country Music People, April 2006
Is it me that’s getting older or is it the singers? There have always been songs about growing old – September Song, It Was a Very Good Year and My Way – but now it’s okay for the singers to sound old as well. Johnny Cash sounded ancient on his final recordings, like a voice from beyond the grave, and John Stewart isn’t far behind. Bob Dylan’s been in Jurassic Park for some years and both Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson have come through the gates. Ralph Stanley’s career was resuscitated with O Brother, Where Are Thou? and Neil Diamond has had the Rick Rubin makeover. Leonard Cohen talked his way through his last record as he has given up trying to sing. As he has been cheated out his earnings, the former tour de force is now being forced to tour.