THE GREAT GADFLY:

Big Yellow Peaches



I finally broke down and purchased June Carter Cash's swansong, "Wildwood Flower". I have to tell you, it's gorgeous. Her voice is weak and warbly with illness and age, but it's all the better for wear. It's the sound of grandma sitting on the porch with her autoharp on a still summer evening, crooning away to noboby in particular while mom and dad are inside drinking coffee and talking about silly grown-up things, and your seven-year-old self is on the couch drifting into a delicious nap, content that all is right with the world. That anyone can squeeze any more feeling out of such a hackneyed phrase as "keep on the sunny side of life" is a testament to her ability for warmth and sincerity. This record takes me back to a home that no longer exists, and that alone is worth more than the measly fourteen bucks I spent to enjoy it. If you've devoured any part of Johnny Cash's "American Recordings" series, then "Wildwood Flower" is an important companion. Johnny's all over this album, and moreso than in his own final works, his voice sounds every bit as strong on "Wildwood Flower" as he did in his glory days...it's clear to sense where he derived his strength. Amazing grace, indeed.


2003-10-14 - Last Haiku
2003-10-09 - Don't Cry Out Loud
2003-10-09 - Sit Down, You're Making Me Nervous
2003-10-08 - I'm Sure Miss Thing, I'm Sure
2003-10-07 - Carbonated Water, Caramel Color, Aspartame

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