Big River - The Old 97's

Big River - The Old 97's

2:55
One More Ride: Old 97's Perform The Songs Of Johnny Cash, 2022

Written by Johnny Cash, 1958

It's Cover Time! 

Probably no one could hope to match the bass-baritone of Cash, an instrument that could be suave, commanding, earnest, and even humble.  But the 97's do a terrific job with this homage, playing to their own strengths.  Rhett Miller reins in his typically yelping vocal and brings forth a full-throated rockin' scream, and the band delivers a fuller sound, a driving backbeat, a modern rock guitar line, instilling in the song a propulsive power that grabs the listener.

Chased the Setting Sun - The Old 97's

Chased the Setting Sun - The Old 97's

2:42

American Primitive, 2024

Written by Ken Bethea, Murry Hammond, Rhett Miller, and Philip Peeples

A tale of loving and leaving with Hammond on the vocals, with his cowboy twang, and train whistle croon on the held notes, adding a much appreciated jolt of country to the Old 97's, their Americana alt-country now diluted by Miller's usual, albeit terrific, pop-rock sound.  Murry boasts, or maybe laments, his tendency to leave a woman angry and spreading lies about him ("She's howling 'bout my cruelty / For any who will hear."  But he remains unmoved: "We'll ride about and care aloud some glad and gilded song / About a red dirt river road with thrills to tag along."

Ray Charles - Old 97's

Ray Charles - Old 97's

3:15

Early Tracks, 2000 (recorded 1995)

Written by Rhett Miller, Murry Hammond, Ken Bethea, and Phillip Peeples

Over a familiar Johnny Cash shuffling train-track beat, Miller lays out a broken-heart sob story: he's broken up with his girl, and he wants her back, or maybe some other girl.  It's a solid alt-country rocker, covering ground that the Old 97's have well travelled, so why it wasn't included on Wreck Your Life remains a mystery.  I particularly like the situation that many music lovers find themselves in of associating certain songs with pivotal moments, including heartbreak: "We put on Ray Charles and broke up / You were packed and gone when I woke up / Ray just kept on singing / He had Georgia on his mind."