On March 27, 1968, Ray Price sold his half of Pamper Music to songwriters Willie Nelson and Hank Cochran. The publishing company controls such copyrights as “I Fall To Pieces,” “Heartaches By The Number” and “Funny How Time Slips Away”, among many other songs that were big hits for artists
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by: Timothy Bracey
On his tribute to the late, legendary Nashville songwriter Hank Cochran, emerging star Jamey Johnson has recruited a veritable Murderers’ Row of country music greats, including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris. This is heavy company for anyone to hang with, but the 37-year-old Johnson more than holds his own while duetting with these titans of modern music. “Living For A Song” functions both as a moving elegy and a great introduction to the music of his mentor, with whom he had become close before Cochran’s death in 2010.
Opening track “Make The World Go Away” is a faithful but stunning reading of a timeless classic, with Johnson’s deep and winning tenor harmonizing beautifully with Allison Krauss on the desperate and yearning chorus. Highlights abound — from the Leon Russell-aided “A Way To Survive,” to the surprisingly great back and forth between Johnson and Elvis Costello on “She’ll Be Back,” which easily outdistances anything from Costello’s previous Brit-goes-country exertions.
This is clearly one of the best releases of the year and a fitting tribute to one of the crucial and under-appreciated figures in 20th century American music. “Living For A Song” establishes Jamey Johnson as both a custodian of country music’s finest traditions and a worthwhile creative confederate going forward. It can only be a matter of time before this gifted performer has consecrated a legacy of greatness all his own.
Read entire review here.
Track Listing
- “Make the World Go Away” – Jamey Johnson and Alison Krauss
- “I Fall to Pieces” – Jamey Johnson and Merle Haggard
- “A Way to Survive” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill and Leon Russell
- “Don’t Touch Me” – Jamey Johnson and Emmylou Harris
- “You Wouldn’t Know Love” – Jamey Johnson and Ray Price
- “I Don’t Do Windows” – Jamey Johnson and Asleep at the Wheel
- “She’ll Be Back” – Jamey Johnson and Elvis Costello
- “Would These Arms Be in Your Way” – Jamey Johnson and Red Lane
- “The Eagle” – Jamey Johnson and George Strait
- “A-11” – Jamey Johnson and Ronnie Dunn
- “I’d Fight the World” – Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare
- “Don’t You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me” – Jamey Johnson and Willie Nelson
- “This Ain’t My First Rodeo” – Jamey Johnson and Lee Ann Womack
- “Love Makes a Fool of Us All” – Jamey Johnson and Kris Kristofferson
- “Everything But You” – Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell
- “Living for a Song” – Jamey Johnson, Hank Cochran, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson
