Johnny Cash - "Big River" 1964 Instrumental Cover - Luther Perkins Guitar Style video free download


73,680
Duration: 02:21
Uploaded: 2013/12/15

Hey!

This time I went for a song from the 1964 "I Walk the Line" album, Big River, one of the many versions of the song. I am playing all the instruments, and trying to make similar to the original 1964 version. I am using a Jazzmaster here, but im not sure if Luther used a Jazzmaster or an Esquire on the original '64 take. Please leave a comment if you know. Hope you enjoy!

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Lyrics:

"Big River"

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry,

And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.

And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).

And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl.

Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport,

And I followed you, Big River, when you called.

Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).

A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.

I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.

She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.

Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on.

Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.

Go on, I've had enough; dump my blues down in the gulf.

She loves you, Big River, more than me.

Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry

And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.

And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.

Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.

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About Luther Perkins:

Luther Monroe Perkins (January 8, 1928 -- August 5, 1968) was an American country music guitarist and a member of the Tennessee Three, the backup band for singer Johnny Cash. Perkins was an iconic figure in what would become known as rockabilly music. His creatively simple, sparsely-embellished, rhythmic use of Fender Esquire, Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars is credited for creating Cash's signature "boom-chicka-boom" style.

Perkins was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of a Baptist preacher. He grew up in Como, Mississippi, and taught himself to play rhythm guitar.

Perkins started his career in 1953 as a mechanic at Automobile Sales Company in Memphis. He specialized in electrical systems and radio repairs. Roy Cash, Sr., older brother of Johnny Cash, was service manager at the dealership. At the time, the younger Cash was stationed in Germany with the US Air Force. At Automobile Sales, Perkins met co-workers Marshall Grant and A.W. 'Red' Kernodle. Grant, Kernodle and Perkins began bringing their guitars to work, and would play together when repair business was slow.

When Johnny Cash moved to Memphis after returning from Germany in 1954, Ray Cash introduced him to Grant, Kernodle and Perkins. The four began to get together in the evenings at Perkins's or Grant's home and play songs. It was during this time that they decided to form a band, with Grant acquiring a string bass, Kernodle a six-string steel guitar, and Perkins buying a somewhat-abused Fender Esquire electric guitar from the O.K. Houck Piano Co. in Memphis. The guitar had been modified by a previous owner, and the volume and tone controls did not work.

Since he could not control the volume of the single-pickup instrument, Perkins began the practice of muting the three bass strings (E, A and D) with the heel of his right hand, much in the style of Merle Travis, and scratching a rhythm pattern (as heard on Sun Records recordings prior to 1958). This pattern developed into a more defined, varying 1/8-8/5/8-8 picking (with random syncopation) on later Sun recordings and for the rest of Perkins' career.

In late 1954, when Cash got an audition with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records, he brought Perkins, Grant and Kernodle along to back him instrumentally. The experience made Kernodle nervous, and he ended up leaving before the session was over, with Perkins and Grant providing the instrumentation.

Perkins, as a member of the Tennessee Two (later, the Tennessee Three, with the addition of drummer W.S. "Fluke" Holland), toured with Cash and appeared on most of his recordings. He was well known for his laconic, focused demeanor on stage. He was often the target of jokes by Cash, who would make comments such as "Luther's been dead for years, but he just doesn't know it".

Source: Wikipedia

***NO COPYRIGHTS INTENDED.

THIS SONG DOES NOT BELONG TO ME, IT BELONGS TO JOHNNY CASH AND THE TENNESSEE TWO, AND COLUMBIA RECORDS. THIS IS MY COVER VERSION OF A SONG WRITTEN BY SOMEONE ELSE.

Comments

8 years ago

robert sylvia

ydo a great job and i love your sound.could you do a version of casey jones in cash style?thanx

9 years ago

JJ Sanchez

I know I'm young but I got a correction. I heard this from the originalDuring the solo, you did the b7 section wrong. After you do the E section (into riff) you hit the 2nd fret of the A sting (A2). Next you hit A1 than A2 D1 A2 D1 A2 D1, that the intro riff again.Do you really have to do this?Na, Luther probably did what you did it later on. Keep Rocking :)

9 years ago

ivezb

Badass!!!

9 years ago

Joel B

is that an f# before the Bm?

9 years ago

Venom Strike

im pretty sure it was a jazzmaster cause from a live performance i saw from 1964 he was using jazzmaster 

9 years ago

Marie D. Henry

Enjoyed my visit. Thank you. 

9 years ago

blindharper scamp

You've captured that distinctive sparse elemental beat and tone that Luther was known for ever so well. While they may have played the same songs, I don't believe his replacement got close to Luther's subtle inflection. The other JC songs you've done are great as well Tennessee Flat Top Box is inspirational. Would love to hear them played live. Great stuff thanks for all your hard work putting the videos together. 

9 years ago

dodoproductions14

Hi what mics are you using at 0:37?Thanks!

9 years ago

4192362

What are your settings on the Super Reverb? Just got one and want to try this sound for myself - nice 65RI Jazzmaster!

10 years ago

FlatheadV81934

This should have more views than it does

10 years ago

Beechcraft746

how do you pick? do you hit the double hit on the D string or hit G string 2nd fret then D

10 years ago

4192362

I think Luther would be VERY happy with this!

10 years ago

dodoproductions14

Also awesome! What is the mic you are using?

10 years ago

Alex16993

Simlply fantastic! I'm lookin' forward to see more. :-)

10 years ago

Beechcraft746

can you make a video on just picking?

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