Like I said - it's really very personal. Both the record itself and my reaction to it. The more I listen to it the more I dig it. There's a lot of truth in it.What I think about most when I listen to it is that I want my father to listen to it. How do describe the Colonel... decrepit ol' Marine with shitty lungs and fragile skin. "Like the 309" sounds just like him. _It should be a while before I see doctor DeathSo, it would sure would be nice if I could get my breathWell, I'm not the cryin', nor the whinin' kind'til I hear the whistle of the 309, of the 309, of the 309Put me in my box on the 309_And I'm putting "Love's Been Good to Me" on the list of what we'll play at his memorial party. Memories of a skirt-chasing rambling past. Yes, I've been helping my dad plan his own memorial. He's not one for getting emotional, really - he knows what he wants and he knows he's the best to organize it. Hell, he's spent his life telling people what to do - it only seems right that he'd do so in death. There will be a party. With booze and music and stories and his ashes packed into fireworks shot off over the beach behind the cottage. And the Marine Corps Hymn blaring. Frankly, it's going to be awesome.But I want him to listen to this album before then. I think he'd understand. I can't figure out how to frame it so he doesn't think I'm hurrying him on. "Look Dad! You and Johnny Cash have so much in common!" I think I'll just bring it over. "Dude, I think you'd like this. I really do." That's usually what I do when I bring him music.Anyway, this was supposed to be about the record, not about my ol' dad.I love the arrangements for these songs. I know that they were arranged after Johnny Cash died. And I think it shows. A bit staid, very careful, respectful, loving. And that's only right.A particular favorite is the re-recording of "I Came to Believe." Another example of the kind of faith-based songs he's always been great at. Always makes me wish I had the faith he had.I'm glad that he worked right up til the end. I'm thankful for all the American Recordings records. It's hard to hear how sick he was at the end - because you can hear it in his voice. But it's real. And that's the best thing music can be.
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