Liner Notes

No Liner Notes Accompanied This Album

Info

Personnel

• Johnny Cash - Vocals, Guitar
• Bob Wootton, Peter Wade, Clifford Parker - Electric Guitar
• Martin Belmont, Jerry Hensley, Jack Routh Marty Stuart - Guitar
• Jack Clement - Dobro, Guitar, Producer
• Dave Kirby - Acoustic Guitar, Guitar
• Billy Joe Shaver - Guitar, Gut String Guitar
• Bobby Thompson - Acoustic Guitar, Banjo
• Dave Edmunds - Guitar, Engineer
• W.S. Holland, Jerry Carrigan, Larrie London, Kenny Malone, Pete Thomas - Drums
• Floyd Chance - Upright Bass
• Earl Ball - Piano, Producer
• Philip Donnelly, Daniel Sarenana, John Willis - Brass
• Joseph Allen, Joe Osborne - Electric Bass
• Nick Lowe - Electric Bass, Producer
• Irving Kane - Trombone, Leader
• June Carter Cash - Vocals

 Additional personnel

• Curt Allen, Willie Pevear, Gene Eichelberger - Engineers
• Leonard Kamsler Photography
• Dave Nives Reissue Producer
• Suzanne Amon Reissue Design
• Grant Alden - Liner Notes

Recorded:
December 1979 - July 1980

Charts

Singles - Billboard (North America)

Info

While stepdaughter Carlene Carter was hanging out with then-husband Nick Lowe and his British roots rock mates Dave Edmunds, Martin Belmont, and Pete Thomas, Johnny Cash decided to see what they thought about the font they claimed for inspiration: rockabilly and roots country. Lowe got to produce one track on Rockabilly Blues, as did old pal and rockabilly co-conspirator Cowboy Jack Clement. Earl Pool Ball did the other eight, but Cash held the reins tight. Rockabilly Blues, along with Johnny 99 — also reissued by Koch — is one of the great lost Cash records. Not only does it feature two of his finer songs from the period, the title track and the bitter love song "Cold Lonesome Morning," it features Cash singing a pair of gems by Billy Joe Shaver, "The Cowboy Who Started the Fight" and "It Ain't Nothing New Babe," as well as one by Cash acolyte Kris Kristofferson, "The Last Time" (which, incidentally, is one of the last times a new Kristofferson tune was recorded by anyone). Cash's "Rockabilly Blues (Texas 1955)" is not essentially a rockabilly tune, though Edmunds' guitar playing certainly embodies its feel — but then, Cash was never a rockabilly singer, either. "One Way Rider," with its horns and staccato pacing, is the perfect song for Lowe to produce. June Carter is wailing on the duet, and the slide guitar parts ring like jagged bells through the heart of the mix. The only problem with this set is how quickly it blazes by. Why Columbia wasn't interested in Cash in 1980 is as confusing now as it was then. All the kids they groomed to come up after him, including newbies Montgomery Gentry, would have killed to make a record this fine.

Re-Release Info

Reissue producer: Dave Nives.

Recorded at Quadrafonic Studio, JMI Recording Studio, Nashville, Tennessee and U.K. Pro Studio, London, England. Includes liner notes by Grant Alden.

This criminally underrated 1980 album came during what's mistakenly regarded as a fallow period in Cash's recording career. The idea was to make a record that would bring Cash back to his rockabilly roots. That's not exactly what happened--there's hardly any real rockabilly on this album--but the results are impressive nonetheless. The hard-hitting, stripped-down sound does recall the lean, mean Cash of days long past, and the material rivals anything from his '70s or late-'70s catalog.

Things open with a kick on "Cold, Lonesome Morning," an unflinchingly realistic account of a failing romance, full of the hard-bitten fatalism that made songs like "Folsom Prison" so successful. A winning take on Nick Lowe's gem "Without Love" features the Attractions' Pete Thomas on drums, and fits perfectly into the sonic scheme. Quirky, memorable tunes by Kris Kristofferson and Billy Joe Shaver crop up as well, performed with characteristic precision and aplomb.

***

Lyrics

1.
COLD LONESOME MORNING
(Johnny Cash)
« © '80 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »

One of these cold lonesome mornings you're gonna kill me
I'm gonna lay there and I'm gonna die
You will soon give me pain enough to fill me
Cause I'm gone past doin' any good to cry
And the warm sunshine is like a stranger there's a cruel violation with the dawn
Lord my pain can't stand illumination
And one of these cold lonesome mornings I'll be gone
[ harmonica ]
One of these cold lonesome mornings dark and early
Before a wild bird sings I'm gonna fly
While it's still dark and I'm still reachin' for you I'll wake up and I can't cry
But I know my heart can't stand another tremor
Now it's holding together I don't know
But just before the dawning's first glimmer
One of these cold lonesome mornings I'm gonna go
[ harmonica - guitar ]
Yes one of these cold lonesome mornings you're gonna kill me...
**********

2.
WITHOUT LOVE
(Nick Lowe)
« © '79 Plangent Visions Music, ASCAP »

Without love I am half human without love I'm all machine
Without love there's nothing doin' I will die without love
Without love I am an island all by myself in a heartbreak sea
Without love there's no denyin' I am dyin' without love
For there is nowhere I can run and there is no hiding place
Sticking out like a sore thumb by that gloomy look upon my face
Without love I'm incomplete without love I am not whole
Without love I'm barely on my feet I am dyin' without love
[ guitar ]
For there is nowhere I can run...
I am dyin' without love
**********

3.
W-O-M-A-N
(Johnny Cash)
« © '80 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »

I just wanna tell you baby if I can I need my W-O-M-A-N
A M-A-N needs a W-O for love or dirty boogie or the do-se-do
And the F-E-M-A-L-E can turn a B-O-Y into a M-A-N
[ guitar ]
Well I can take a failure I can take a flop
I've survived at the bottom better than the top
I take it day by day and I can do alright if my W-O-M-A-N is in at night
I'm not talking good or bad or lust or sin oh I'm just talking W-O-M-A-N
[ guitar + harmonica ]
I can get along without a dog or a cat and luxury is not where happiness is at
I can do without tobacco coffee or tea
And I turn down lots of money makin' deal offered me
I can make it through the hills without a jeep or a van
But I gotta have my W-O-M-A-N
I need you woman W-O-M-A-N man man
I need you and I'll kepp you just as long as I can cause you are my W-O-M-A-N
**********

4.
COWBOY WHO STARTED THE FIGHT
(Billy Joe Shaver)
« © '79 House Of Cash, BMI »

The legs on the lady a walkin' was tanned to a dark berry brown
Her body was made like a song to be played to the tune of a million a pound
So was a wonder of a woman I reckon and she's who screwed her head on right
The toast of the world was the long legged girl and the cowboy who started the fight
He'd just pulled into town in an old green 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck
With whiskey bumps all over it and the right front fender falling off
He coasted on into a no parking zone
Got out and took the keys and chunked 'em down a gutter
Turned around and just walked off
He allowed how his time had been wasted or drinking and running around
He spent half his life searchin' barrooms at night
For the sweetheart that he never found
It was plain from the moment their eyes met they'd wind up in each others arms
The lady's young life was laid open that night
And the cowboy drank deep of her charms
Singing hey-hi-de-he from the depths of the sea to the mountains so hollering high
I've found the best one under God's given sun yeah the cowboy got lucky tonight
While the angel beside him lay sleeping he silently thanked God above
For being a kind hearted father and blessing his love with her love
For one night of love with that woman was more than he knew he deserved
So he found all he had left worth givin' and he gave all he had left to her
He slid back inside his ole levi's and he filled up his boots with his feet
While the subways beneath New York City screamed through the veins of the street
For the lady gave up without question the trophy she saved all her life
Then she curled up beside his old weather worn hide
And the cowboy just laid down and died
Hey-hi-de-hi when a whoop through the street as his soul slowly winged out of sight
The lady was torn from the child bein' born and the cowboy found heaven that night
The lady was torn from the child bein' born and the cowboy found heaven that night
**********

5.
20TH CENTURY IS ALMOST OVER
(Steve Goodman - John Prine)
« © '77 Big Ears Music, ASCAP / Red pajamas Music, ASCAP »

Buck in 1899 everybody sang Auld Lang Syne
A hundred years would take a long long time for every boy and girl
Now there's just one thing that I would like to know where did the 20th century go
I swear it was there just a minute ago all over this world
All over this world all over this world
The 20th century is almost over almost over almost over
The 20th century is almost over all over the world
[ banjo ]
Does anyone recall the great depression I read all about it in the true confession
Sorry I was late for the recording session but somebody put me on hold
Did anybody see those linoleum floors petroleum jelly and the two world wars
They went around in revolving doors all over this world
All over this world...
[ banjo ]
Old Father Time is a rumblin' and a rappin'
Standin' at the window thumpin' and a tappin'
Everybody's waitin' for somethin' to happen hope it don't happen to you
You know the Judgement Day is gettin' nearer there it is in the rear view mirror
If you duck down I could see a little clearer all over this world
All over this world...
All over this world...
All over this world...
**********

6.
ROCKABILLY BLUES
(Johnny Cash)
« © '80 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »

I took a tour to Texas and from Waco I called you
But day by day no answer and I'm Big Bluebonnet blue
I'm singin' and they're dancin' but I'm feelin' Big D bad
I'm Sweetwater beat and I'm Texas City sad
The rhythm keeps me livin' but have you heard the news
There's a sad song singer comin' with the rockabilly blues
[ guitar ]
It's hard to keep on singin' when you're lonesome to the bone
Ten thousand happy people but I'm San Antone alone
One night stands and the man demands that I get up and go
I'm Odessa desperate and San Angelo low
The rhythm keeps me livin'...
[ harmonica ]
It's the same old tune in Temple bout the lovin' I ain't had
I'm gettin' Beamont bitter and Amarillo mad
Givin' up on callin' you cause you're evading me
I'm coming home and if you're gone I'm gonna be Tennessee free
The rhythm keeps me livin'...
**********

7.
LAST TIME
(Kris Kristofferson)
« © '80 Jody Ray Publishing, BMI »

Darling the seasons are changing see now the leaves how they die
Love needs no reason for ending come kiss your baby goodbye
Darling the last time you lied was it really the last time
Have all the tears that you've cried simply dried up and gone
All in the world you can hurt anymore is my feeling
Whatever love ever was never lasted too long
Maybe the best of our life was a beautiful dream babe
That conscience was destined to crumble like castles in sand
All there is left of our love is a little girl's laughter
Let her keep making believing as long as she can
Now and again I still hear some old songs I don't want to
Is it the same over there where you found your new friend
Sometimes at night I still wake up and feel something missing
Maybe I'll never believe in forever again
Darling the seasons are changing see now the leaves how they die
Love needs no reason for ending come kiss your baby goodbye
**********

8.
SHE'S A GO-ER
(Johnny Cash)
« © '79 Song Of Cash Music, ASCAP »

Well I think that I should tell you she's a go-er
And when she goes she won't come back no more
There ain't nothing like it when you've got her all alone
And there's not anything that can replace her when she's gone
Oh I envy you until the day she walks back out your door
And that she's gonna do cause she's a go-er
Now don't let her stay too long she'll take the heart right out of your song
You'll pay the price for her one time but she won't be back anymore
I just thought I'd tell you she's a go-er
[ guitar ]
Yes I guess I should have told you she's a go-er
I should have told you that way back long before
But I was trying to overcome the pain she put me through
I was fightin' to forget her when she got around to you
Oh you'll be heaven high till she don't want you anymore
Then she'll be gone again cause she's a go-er
Now don't let her stay...
**********

9.
IT AIN'T NOTHING NEW BABE
(Billy Joe Shaver)
« © '80 House Of Cash, BMI »

It ain't nothing new babe it's just a dream that fell through babe
And the plans that you have to make will be made here and now
With your head slightly bowed
You can see life goes on girl and the weak must grow strong girl
On your journey through this old world
You will soon understand that the love of your man
Was a shoulder to cry on and a friend to rely on but it wasn't worth dying for
When he told you goodbye when he told you goodbye
[ dobro ]
There's just one thing for certain the pain won't stop hurtin'
Till you go back to workin' with something left that you love
Because the push and the shove of the everyday day now has become such a hassle
And your only dream castle disappeared in the sky when he told you goodbye
[ dobro ]
Well it ain't nothing new babe it's just a dream that fell through babe
And the steps that you have to take will be taken somehow
They'll be taken right now cause it ain't nothing new babe
**********

10.
ONE WAY RIDER
(Rodney Crowell)
« © '78 Coolwell Music, ASCAP / Granite Music, ASCAP »

[ duet with June Carter ]
Now you're off and runnin' run just like you're scared
Run just like a gray dog run just like a deer
Something in the bushes starin' out at you starin' at your feelings feelin' like you do
One way rider one way down the road baby I'm right beside you everywhere you go
Lovers save your secrets trust not into fools
Don't go look for trouble it will come to you
Like some long lost passage fly in broken lines
Here in the fleeting moment really gone this time
One way rider one way down the road baby I'm right beside you everywhere you go
[ ac.guitar - dobro ]
Once upon a victim circumstance is due tend to take a hold on everything you do
First we follow leaders next we follow fools now we follow footsteps sneakin' upon you
One way rider one way down the road baby I'm right beside you everywhere you go
One way rider one way down the road baby I'm right beside you everywhere you go
Sunday drivers only way to go baby I'm right beside you everywhere you go

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