Last night the New Dixie theater in Memphis, Tennessee saw a one of a kind and historic performance from Jack McDougal and his grandson. This their encore performance recorded professionally and released right here.
After they had finished playing "Good Night Irene" to the crowd and leading them all in a sing-a-long. They took a bow together and the lights abruptly went down. The crowd was buzzing quietly and waiting until the lights went up again. Johnny set next to his Grandfather who was dressed in one of those fancy Cowboy Suits. Johnny was actually dressed rather strappingly as he was wearing black suit with blue pinstripes and a black fedora. He was holding his guitar and began to play as his Grandad's voice sang over the microphone to a mass of applause. He smiled and stopped for a moment.
Jack: Thank you everyone! I'm feel very blessed and touched that you all came out to see me here tonight. The foreman touched the cold steel lines
The rail bed was frozen with ice
In the distance an engine was keepin' good time
The steam whistle moaned just twice
Down in the cut past the old tressel bridge
Twelve fine horses stood
Masked men shivered in the cold on the ridge
Not far from the Glendale woods
The brass lamp shone from the swayin' train
When the driver saw the red light
Her iron brakes sparked like silver rain
And the metals screamed through the night
The baggage man peered out to look for the fault
When fear froze up his heart
He was starin' down the barrel
of an army colt
That threatened to tear him apart
We will burn your train to cinders
So throw the money on down
Open up your damned express car
And jump down to the ground
But we won't touch that old Pullman
She's Southern and they claimed
They ain't offered no reward
For Frank and Jesse James
Frank and Jesse James
He would start to pick on his mandolin as Johnny stood next to him amd kept rhythm with his guitar. Nodding to the beat as he sang the back up vocals.In long soldiers coats frayed with years
Quickly they scrambled aboard
The men was a-sweatin' and the women Shed tears
And a preacher prayed to the lord
When they opened the safe
There was nothing for them
So they strolled down through the train
What a miserable sight, these desperate men
Robbin' old folks for their gold watch chains
Now some say the devil had taken his soul
Some say his spirit survived
But we all know he was nothin' but a Missouri farm boy
Just fightin' to stay alive
High above that railroad bed
On a ridge where the pines grow tall
If you listen to the wind
There's a ghost of a chance
You can still hear ole Jesse call
They sang the chorus together once more and ended the song as the audience broke out into applause. Then Johnny stood back a bit and clapped as well. But then he turned to his Grandad and began to talk a bit.
Johnny: What do you think can I do one?
Jack: Why the hell not? You do a tune. I'll just let you have this one.
Johnny: You're too kind.
Jack: Generous is the word boy. This is my show.
Johnny: So I should feel lucky? Your show... I started *Gets cut off*
Jack: Respect your elders!
Johnny: Yes sir.
The laugh a little bit as Johnny straps on a harmonica holder around his neck and starts to strum his guitar a little. Then he picks up a harmonica out of its case and begins to blow into some but starts playing a small melody on it as the spotlight focuses on him.
Johnny: You know a lot of fans ask me what kinda guy my dad was like. It's kind of hard to answer that question. But I find it rather interesting that people actually want to know about him. It's pretty endearing I think. Anyway, I think this song best explains him to people.
He began to play the song playing on his harmonica before he started to sing. Still strumming the guitar as he played the song without accompaniment.
A smokin' long black Cadillac, the engine windin' down.
Pulled up on the sidewalk like he owned the whole damn town.
I heard him talking to some chick through a thick ghost of smoke.
Through a thicker haze of southern comfort and coke.
Say girl you're hotter than the hinges hangin' off the gates
of hell. Don't be afraid to turn to me babe if he don't treat
you well. And by he meant me, so I laughed and shook his hand.
He laughed a little bit louder as he yelled up at the band.
Play a train song. Pour me one more round, make em' leave my boots
on before they lay me in the ground. I am a runaway locomotive outta
my one track mind and I'm lookin' for any trouble I can find.
Got this old black leather jacket.
Got this pack of marlboro reds.
Got this stash here in my pocket.
I got these thoughts in my own head.
I got the right to run or until I got to walk
or until I got to crawl.
I got this moment that I'm in right now and nothin'
else at all.
Play a train song. Pour me one more round. Make em'
leave my boots on. Before they lay me in the ground.
I am a runaway locomotive outta my one track mind.
He played his guitar a little bit and played some notes on his harmonica before singing again.In the television blizzard lights.
I looked around his place.
I found a cold beer on the sofa and
a smile upon his face. Though I tried
with all of my sadness I just could not
weep. For a man who looked to me like
he died laughin' in his sleep.
Sayin' a train song. Drinkin' one last round.
Made em' leave his boots on the day they layed him
down. He was a runaway locomotive outta his one track
mind.
Play a train song.
Play a train song.
Play a train song.
He finished to a rousing round of applause and nodded to the crowd as the lights came up. Then he turned to his grandfather.
Johnny: Say Grandad. I know this is an acoustic show. But I'm missing some that electric sound. Besides I think I got one you can help me out with. I brought a few friends if you don't care.
Jack: Sure boy. Thing is what song is it and who are your friends?
Johnny: I think you know em' pretty well. You'll know this song all too well.
As he said this the rest of the members of his band took the stage wearing matching suits looking pretty decked out. The crowd went absolutely ballistic. As Mack started up the bassline. He smirked at the crowd as the rhythm cranked up and he began to sing.An old cowboy went riding out one dark and windy day
Upon a ridge he rested as he went along his way
When all at once a mighty herd of red eyed cows he saw
A-plowing through the ragged sky and up the cloudy draw
Their brands were still on fire and their hooves were made of steel
Their horns were black and shiny and their hot breath he could feel
A bolt of fear went through him as they thundered through the sky
For he saw the Riders coming hard and he heard their mournful cry.
He pointed at his Grandad who took over the chorus and the place was so loud the roof might blow off.Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
He reached out and gave his Grandad a short little hug and they actually exchanged a brief high five. Johnny ripped into a solo followed by Joe on the slide.Their faces gaunt, their eyes were blurred, their shirts all soaked with sweat
He's riding hard to catch that herd, but he ain't caught 'em yet
'Cause they've got to ride forever on that range up in the sky
On horses snorting fire
As they ride on hear their cry
As the riders loped on by him he heard one call his name
If you want to save your soul from Hell a-riding on our range
Then cowboy change your ways today or with us you will ride
Trying to catch the Devil's herd, across these endless skies
Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
Johnny then launched into another cranking guitar solo as strolled across the stage standing with Joe a moment as he slayed a few licks before moving back over to his Grandad who took over on the microphone again.Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
Yippie yi Yayyyyy
Yippie yi Ohhhhhh
Ghost Riders in the sky
There was no music playing as he sang those last words and the lights went down immediately amidst a thunderous din of appplause. When they came back up they were all standing together and took three bows to the crowd respectfully. Johhny and the band stepped back to applaud Jack who stood alone nodding his head to the crowd. He placed his hands on his lips and blew the crowd a kiss. They then walked off the stage together. After this show the band went to a local studio and recorded a professional cut of the song they had just played. Some fiddle was thrown in but the construction of the song as it was originally played that night was kept the same. It has been released on the internet and will be put up on the digital song charts.Sounds Like:
Edited by user 21 December 2011 10:56:14(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
