Third World Child - Johnny Clegg

Advantages: African Western Fusion
Disadvantages: Production sounds a bit 80's

.... This album is the 'best of Johnny Clegg and Savuka. The music is a cross of rock, celtic and African music, in both English and Zulu. I love the lyrics - they are so evocative of the country, and whilst the music sometimes sounds a bit too much like Genesis/Peter Gabriel for my liking (well much of it was c. 1980s) mix of African and English is really unique. I suppose I love it because it reminds me of my holidays! The Tracks are as follows: 1. Scatterlings of Africa 2. Great heart 3. Asimbonanga (Mandella) 4. Ibhola lethu (Our football team) 5. Dela 6. Siyayilanda 7. One (hu)man one vote 8. Crossing 9. Take my heart away 10. Cruel crazy beautiful world 11. I call your name 12. Third World child 13. Tough enough 14. These days 15. In my African dream 16. Africa (What made you so strong) "And we are scatterlings of Africa, Both you and I, We... Read review

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Advantages: He is Johnny Cash
Disadvantages: I am not Johnny Cash

...there I have to agree with him, as it covers what the south is really about, and is full of soul and love as well as poverty and desperation, 4 things that Johnny knew all about. You see there it is again great country music is sung from the heart from experience. “Mean Eyed Cat” is a song that took over 40 years to write, Johnny was never happy with the version Sam Phillips put out in 1955. this niggled at Johnny until he finally wrote the third verse in 1995, this is one of my favourite songs on the album a great dancing country rockabilly song, but if you square dance to this I’ll punch you in the face ok. “Meet Me In Heaven” was a song Johnny had written for his wife June but was also the words written into his brothers tombstone, and really I can’t say much more about a song that personal to the writer other than it is a beautiful piece... Read review

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Advantages: Look it is JOHNNY CASH MAN
Disadvantages: none with John at all

...Solitary man was the third in the series of American recordings Johnny did with Rick Rubin at the helm producing and overseeing matters. This partnership produced 4 albums worth of material which were arguably the best in his career. The final album is almost un-listenable not because of the quality of the material but because of the general subject matter, and that you can hear that Johnny knows that his end is coming. This album however is another matter altogether whilst a somber tone takes over most of the album it is more of a celebration of his life rather than a album looking towards life's final journey. The musicians collaborating on the album is awesome with members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers , Sheryl Crow, the legend that is Merle Haggard, and his wife June Carter Cash all contributing to proceedings. Like all albums... Read review

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