The big question is – what is the best version of Old Shep?
On YouTube:-
Elvis is schmaltzy
Johnny Cash leaves out the bit with the gun
Rambling Jack Elliott rambles around the tune.
It has to be Red Foley.
Any other contenders?
Just Because ….
What an excellent post. Off to Spotty. I’ll report back.
OK the answer is Johnny Cash for me. Best voice by a mile. The version on Spot has the gun line – just The Voice and an acoustic guitar. Close second is Red. There are lots of bloody awful derivative versions, especially ones where the last verse is spoken. I think the Ramblin’ Jack one has a lot to be said for it actually, but he appears to not really know the tune or the chords, though I doubt he cared either. Great post.
You’re right about the voice of course.
The version I saw JC doing was in front of an audience of kids so you can see why he left the gun bit out.
Whichever version it’s a great song. There’s a fine line in this kind of song between emotion and cloying sentiment. Old Shep stays the right side.
This one:
There is of course, no ‘best’ version. An atrocious piece of sentimental sludge that should be avoided at all costs. In other words, a country song…
Edit: the edit function appears to be working. Yippeeeeeeeeeee…….
Oh dear …… Just relax and immerse yourself in it. It’s just a simple song with a simple tune.
Admittedly the backing vocals in that Tex Morton version are a bit over-mournful to my ears but it’s still tells the story.
There are sad things in everyone’s life so why not sing about them – sadly?
over-mournful??? This is tragedy. No one says “that Hamlet is a bit of a downer, dude”
Immerse myself in it? I’d rather immerse myself in a bath of sulphuric acid.
Not keen then?