John Cowan and Sam Bush - Dark As A Dungeon

[azkeyz]

Part of me confesses it's brilliant.

it's just that I don't think the one singing it has a firm grip of what it takes to write what he's singing.

if it's just a cover , I'd slap him for insulting my intelligence.

I don't hear the right sounds comming from his mouth , that's not good news to my ears.

the audiance bought it but it didn't work on me.

it's good but it's not what it should be.

also if you think you're going to defeat me on the talent show , you better be real.

[Avaloch67]

John has a miraculous gift in the quality of his voice, and in his amazing ability to control his breathing. I've studied opera and also worked in the business of rock/pop/folk music. In over fifty years I've rarely heard a vocalist who is as talented as John Cowan. The first time I heard him with The New Grass Revival & Leon Russell at the Beacon Theater in NYC (early 80's) his voice gave me goose-bumps and I was an instant believer in the gift of his superb voice.

[leventrock63]

John is a greatest country singer that I've ever heard. And Sam is a real virtuoso . I watched NEW GRASS REVİVAL ( in İSTANBUL) three times and we never forgot them.

[CharlieHend]

Oh my! If I were a singer, I wouldn't want to have to follow John Cowan on stage! There is "pretending to sing" and then there is JOHN COWAN, no middle ground at all!

[jefflacks1971]

I've seen hundreds and hundreds of amazing concerts and only once have I seen an audience give a standing ovation in the middle of the show - for John doing this with the Sam Bush Band Wintergrass 1998. The song ended and no one had any choice but to stand and pay tribute.

[justkaron]

Makes me cry.  Just beautiful. Must have watched this 20 times over past few months.

[jpizzo76]

This is one of the gayest things I've ever seen.

[MilesMyersProject]

good band it's just good music

[WildNevadaShorthair]

love cowan!

[TheMrblazer76]

This guy should stick to playing and not singing. He can't hold a candle to Charlie Waller.

[iceaxe56]

@TheMrblazer76 whos charlie waller

[Mandolin1944]

Doubt ANYONE could ever do this song better -- just riveting.

[SteelguitarLane]

Ummm, Hair? I may be biased (my dad was with the Country Gentlemen in the 60s), but Merle takes 3rd. I don't know whether I like this better than Charlie's, but Charlie Waller did it better than Merle Travis. John just put his own stamp of awesome on it, though. Such a pity that guy on mando is no John Duffey. (dear lord, I HOPE everyone has a working humor gland: I've loved Sam's playing since the basement jam at dad's house)

[SuSiMa1lu]

This is just blindingly beautiful.

[kwr0558]

My GOOSE BUMPs have GOOSE BUMPS.... Omg What a voice? Incredible.....

[MrsCrosbyforever101]

Always a pleasure to listen to John I wish more people knew of him in Canada. Garth Brooks does a very nice Baton Rouge but John owns the song! I hope to listen to John for many more years to come.

[Harmonytoo2]

I dfidn't know who John was when he got up and sang a song at The Station Inn in Nashville last year (2010). One song and I knew this was the voice among the 12 or so professional singers taking their turns that night. He went high lonesome that night like that non-traditionalist, Bill Monroe.

This video, though. Wow. Like a previous poster hinted at, American Idol has spent 10 years trying to recreate something that existed long before. This needs preservation.

Doobie Brother now.

[TheDmentd1]

John has the best hair in Bluegrass!!

[lindapaintergirl]

Butter My Butt & Call Me A Biscuit......at Boy Can Sing!!!!

[ozzirt]

Bloody painful,... Merle Travis would be turning in his grave.

Sing the song man, and stop pissin' about with it trying to make yourself sound good.

[BoCorky]

@ozzirt Having a bad day huh? If you don't recognize or can hear what a gifted singer John is I have one word for you - Belltone. Go get your hearing checked, you obviously have a problem. Over 56,000 hits and 1 dislike, guess that was you?

[ozzirt]

@BoCorky I'm pleased that you have taken the time to demonstrate your lack of taste. Compare this with the original, no,.... you can't, because there is no comparison.

I just hate it when someone decides to ruin a good song in public.

PS I've never voted on any vids, I say my piece out in the open, but seeing you made a point of it I will vote on this one, so now there are two dislikes,.....

[HairTorque]

@ozzirt Hum.. Is your taste superior to his then? Its subjective and not really subject to criticism.. As for Merle turning in his grave. If someone expressed his/her joy for singing in performing one of his songs. I do not think'd turn but applaude.

This is a great version.

[ozzirt]

@HairTorque Obviously,....

No one likes to hear their song murdered. Trying to gild the lilly is achieves nothing and just fcuks up the lilly.

[HairTorque]

@ozzirt Aye, true. However if to keep to flowery metaphors. The buddings of a red rose might be white or yellow, beautiful in them selves, worthy of display and praise yet even though stemming from the same source they will never make the red rose less in anyway..

[ozzirt]

@HairTorque No, we are talking of red roses, so other colours are of no consequence, merely adding quantity without quality.

Try entering a yellow rose in a competition for red roses, it may be beautiful to the breeder, but the judges will throw it in the bin.

And this is the case here, he may be a great musician or whatever, but he murders this song. I don't care how well he sings other songs, he just makes a right mess of this one.

[CKamdal]

@ozzirt I have two things to say. 1. Your talking talking about your opinion which is fine, though everyone is entitled to their own. 2. Clearly you missed the point of the metaphor completly. A new verity of the old does not diminish the original but adds a new twist to the old.

[ozzirt]

@CKamdal Yeah, kinda like painting the statue of Venus with a coat of cow sh!t and calling it art, or as you like to say, "A new Twist"

I'm afraid your logic is deeply flawed.

[HairTorque]

@ozzirt Im gone make one more comment here. You obviously have a deep and powerfull connection to Merl, and I agree Merl does it better. But this IS a good version. A really good version. Not the best mind you, but a very good one. I will keep Merl ahead, but Ill come back to John then and again. I shant say that you are not entitled to your opinion but what John and Sam here does is not coating Venus in a coat of shit, it is a Tribute to the genius that was Merl.

[ozzirt]

@HairTorque Jeez,.. uz,... All I can say is, if that is a tribute, I hope he never gets the chance to do me any favours.

No, I don't have any deep and powerful connections with ANY singer, they all have good songs and others that are less so. It's just that this is a crap rendition of a good song by Merle.

Y'gotta call it like ya see it,.. end of story.

[jaxonn16]

He has the voice of an angel. I've never seen such passion for singing...

[buchananstreet]

sad mediocre  mainstream violation of a sweet ol bluegrass song

[graffin00000]

I love the Folsom Prison version of this song. I can't say that Cowan does it better than Cash but this is a really neat spin on a timeless classic! John Cowans voice is very unique and a little hard to get used at first, but once you get past the fact that he sings high for a man all his songs get stuck in your head. Then you find yourself looking him up on you tube just to hear that voice again!

[phriend2spin]

Looks like Sam Bush suffers from tenis elbow from mando strumming.

[katvanbus]

I love John Cowan! Fortunately he's performed in our area a bit, and I see him every chance I get! His soulfull notes always touch me.....thanks for posting this!

[mandojapan]

so sad these guys are not main stream, because they have more talent than most people in the stream.

[GRANGE331]

WOW American mates i just lov this he is so great.all the best from Australia .

[5150printer]

I'm in love all over again!

[kherbertification]

voice of an angel

[gofer03]

awesome!

[andrewzappa123]

Neato.

[noplclkhmlbg]

I'm hooked!

[booksol]

oh WOW

[mandogirl62]

That was so beautiful

[flamewareyer]

Attention American Idol contestants: This is what a singer sounds like

[5150printer]

@flamewareyer You got that right!

[mommacin]

Love me some Sam and John...no matter what venue!

[robby0609]

Thats the purest voice I ever heard

[jaxonn16]

God blessed this man with such an awesome gift of voice....I am blessed each time I hear him sing...then and even now....I am at a lose for anymore words....cold chills running through my body...

[tiedyelyndab]

seeing these guys for years, now just get to see john's band! love them!!! love u john!!!!!!!!! the voice of an angel!

[ardnosd]

No one can top John Cowan's singing. He can sing anything, anywhere, anytime with absolute perfection. I highly recommend all of his solo, and John Cowan Band CDs and his latest "Comfort & Joy", Christmas Album only proves you get better with age. Awesome!!

[dogsee1]

john would look nice in a dress...

[JannaMontanna]

One of my all-time favorite singers. What a voice!

[firecrackerCheryl]

John Cowan has been one of my favorite singers for years!!

[donnaaustin]

very sweet

[kikomiko1]

Holy. Shit.

That is all.

[idahodad1]

Great cover to such a classic tune.

[scottgri]

Angelic!! Best version Ive ever heard.

[cowmax1962]

LOVIN' my boys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mossyfern]

Aw...oof...I got to see JC do this one last week at Rhythm and Roots. The hair maybe silver now (and lovely!), but the voice is still gold!

[nmitchell076]

H eplayed it there? I must've gone to the wrong show :( but he played on your way down at the paramount one I saw, which was FANTASTIC

[baawuffwuff]

this guy is just a work of art.

[vikster10259]

He sounds eerily like John Farnham!

[skelotan]

Amazing. Absolutely riveting.

[proudrebel69]

I am a fan of Classic Country and Bluegrass, but this is owsome. I now have another favorite music in Newgrass.thanks guys for playing and Thank you AmericanaExperience for putting it on Youtube.

[pprinkey]

Sam is the only one of that band that still looks the same.Who is playing guitar on this set?

[fastguitarhands]

On the acoustic is Jon Randall

[mzpbmoon]

Thanks for for your comment back to me

1FLEWUNDER.....I gave you a 1+ for your comment here! I'm a heavy duty fan of John Cowan....wish I lived in an area where I could attend his concerts!! We have a few venues here and maybe one day he'll appear at our Farmer's Opry--I'll buy my ticket the day I hear he's coming!!

[Doree1937]

Doree again, I somehow erased my last response to you, so, I'll tell you again how much I enjoyed your beautiful voice. I am going to keep watching......

[Doree1937]

Absolutely beautiful!! I was so glad to get your email today. Thank you!!

Doree

[RickHempy]

Had the pleasure of meeting them both in Nashville some years ago. In addition to being amazing performers, they're first-class people too.

[Huntinbear]

I miss the 80's-90's when he had the gorgeous big hair. He was so sexy.

[scrip7ki77y]

what range!! such a beautiful voice~

he's pretty shesheh too^^

[mzpbmoon]

Here ya go SummrRKL...thumbs up for your comment!! If you come back by here again, give my comment a 'thumbs up' too!! Thanks!!

[bulbheadmyass]

Awesome performance. And that story Sam tells is priceless.

[Tones4me]

I never missed NGR at Strawberry Bluegrass Festival. Bela was so nice to talk to. All of the guys were down to earth. LOL...can you imagine if John hadn't asked to sing? He is so good at it.

[mzpbmoon]

What a voice, what a voice!!!!!! I've been following John Cowan too, since BGR days!!! It's a sheer pleasure to listen to him hit those high notes---but then he puts his own John Cowan style on it!!!

[SummerRkl]

I agree completely. Hey I accidentally hit the wrong 'Thumbs down"! Someone please click on the "Thumbs Up" to cancel my mistake.  Thanks...

[1FLEWUNDER]

Came across this last night and it just gave me chills. I have followed John for over 20 years but never heard this before. Many thanks.

[spitzmanndm]

oh John...I'm catched!!! Those liricks,with your soulfull voice...i find no words,thank's Sam to make this all possible...thank's to yuo all.i'll return into it, P

[Lightbluechevy]

I am so nostalgic of those good ol' days. I grew up with NGR and they'll be the very best forever.

[okthisthen]

johnny is smooth as silk!!! Brings back so many memories of hearing and seeing him and sammy with pat and bela who played and sang like no other band in the world. They were truely something to behold..a corucopia for the senses and always could move me to tears. I get chills just watching this video. Thanks for posting this video! They were then, and will always be unequaled in my eyes. AMEN!

[Tony2581]

This is perhaps the most moving, evocative version of "Dark As A Dungeon" ever performed! Does anyone have this version on mp3 or CD that I could get for my collection of coal mining songs? Please call Tony @ 859/948-9239Thanks!

[ruhligm]

John recorded it. You can get it on his website.