SOUL SOUND

There are few artists that are well remembered to their time which are Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley. Starting with Johnny Cash, not only is the singer but regarded as one of the most potent voices in musical history, but as a songwriter, he was second to none. One of his songs is titled “Hey Porter”. In the song, Cash tells the story of a passenger on a train who is excited to go back home and keeps asking the porter, relentlessly, for updates. The song was released in 1955 as a single, it was the first recording of Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two. It was a song that Cash re-recorded multiple times later on in his career. Set at a fast rhythm, Cash’s style of approach which is a deep baritone voice fit wonderfully in the country and rockabilly sound of the song.

Elvis Presley was best known for his title as the King of rock and roll but he also contributed to the country genre. He maintained a strong affinity for country music throughout his career. The Seventies especially found Presley diving wholeheartedly into country recordings. One of his songs, titled "I Forgot to Remember to Forget" was the most traditionally country sounding record that Presley made and it became his first single to reach Number One on the country charts. The song was written by Stan Kesler and Charlie Feathers but all Elvis in style. Loping along with guitar wailing like a pedal steel, Presley colors in shades of expression with his bluesy croon, shuddering and modulating through his elastic vocal range. Above all, the song was expressed was dripping with attitude, an apology letter that turned into a kiss-off, all thanks to Presley’s delivery.