IN THE GARDEN: Great Country Artists and My Take On Their Cover

HOWDY Y’ALL!

Tribute to my Idols

TODAY IS THE SECOND DAY of the first month of this New Year at my end of this Universe. And, I, with your kind indulgence would wish to open it with a little Review. This bit we are going to have is about how I appreciate the different versions of In the Garden. Originally, this was supposed to be about Willie Nelson doing Gospel Songs. But since my mother-in-law, Elvira, passed away just recently this will be my Tribute Gospel Song to her beautiful life…

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjFpufdIUNY&list=RDGjFpufdIUNY

“…And He walks with me
And He talks with me
And He tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known…”

YUP, THERE SHORE HAD BEEN MANY VERSIONS of In the Garden by C. Austin Miles which he wrote in 1912. However, no two versions by the different country artists who covered them songs would ever be alike.  Right now, let us do 10 of ‘em. Mind you, I will do my very best to make this real short and truly sweet. So, every single one of you folks buckles up for a-here we go!

 ELVIS PRESLEY

Shorely, The King IS king but (with all due respect) I find Elvis’ version a tad too melancholic. Sounds a little “dirge-ey” making it nice for sending a loved one off to their final Place of Rest. But absolutely, still a very good cover.

GLENN CAMPBELL

A very warm “KUDOS!” I would say for Glenn Campbell.

Glenn had sung this (being the Traditional Country Singer that he is) quite typical of how Church Gospel Songs should be sung during worship.

Just as Glenn, very traditional as well as just how most of us country folks would like it. As in, VERRRY MUCH!

TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD

Powerful rendition yet a bit too “church-ie” for my taste.

ROSEMARY CLOONEY

Very reminiscent of how classic MGM films’ introductory music would sound and open their credits with… Heck, what would you expect, this Rosemary Clooney cover was produced by Hollywood movie bigwig—MGM. Hehehe.

RONEE BLAKLEY

A heart-rending and flawlessly powerful solo rendition.

LORETTA LYNN

Exactly how a real Country Songstress would sing this Country Gospel Song!

ALAN JACKSON         

Country Gospel Song sung by a real Country Gospel Singer.

JOHNNY CASH

Gospel yes, but (being one of ’em Country Outlaws) has a tinge of being “on the trail.” Singing this wonderful Gospel camped by a bonfire and a-strumming on his old gee-tah… A thick woolen blanket wrapped around his shoulders with his trusty horse tied to a nearby tree.

WILLIE NELSON

Being the Country Outlaw that he is, Willie provides us a touching expression of this famous Gospel Hymn. In the Garden, had already been covered by many famous country singers–such as fellow Country Outlaw–Johnny Cash. But Willie sings it real Willie-like (which I, very much, like!): As if telling a story of his own walk with Jesus in the Garden.

ANNE MURRAY

Classic-Anne! I must say how this version is! Truly exquisite. Anne sings it deep from within her heart straight to our very own.

I DO KNOW that you folks have your own Favorite Versions but these are mine so far. I, verily, hope that you enjoyed this little Review of mine as I did writing it for y’all.

AND ALWAYS…

“May the Lord God Almighty Bless Us All and Set Us FREE!”