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    WE GOT THE BEAT

    Johnny Cash sings one from the grave

    Jim Beviglia
    Mar 5, 2010 | 1:45 pm
    • The Man in Black sings on from the grave.
      Courtesy photo
    • Johnny Cash isn't all about death.
    • Johnny Cash is an American music icon.

    It's a bit hard to believe that Johnny Cash passed away almost seven years ago, because he's been more ubiquitous as an icon than ever before. The highly honored biopic flick Walk The Line spread his music to an audience more vast than he ever enjoyed when he was alive, and everyone from rockers to rappers have adopted him as a patron saint of the outlaw genre that never goes out of style.

    The great thing about the American Recordings series is that it puts the focus on Cash's musical talent. It reminds us that without his artistry, the legend never would have been possible. Cash hurriedly put together the latest of these releases, "American VI: Ain't No Grave," with producer Rick Rubin knowing that his time was short.

    This may or may be the last of these sessions (with music icons, you never really know what is going to be put together post death).

    If this is it, it's a subdued yet effective farewell. If there's still more to come, then it's a solid continuation of what has been an invaluable series.

    "American VI" strips away much of the production tics that Rubin has applied to previous records in an effort to amplify their portent. With the exception of the rattling-chain sound effect that dominates the opener "Ain't No Grave" and the mournful steel guitar and mellotrons that color the anti-war plea "Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream," the musical signifiers of the fast-approaching Great Beyond are largely absent.

    That's a wise move because many of the chosen songs play up the association with no embellishment necessary. One need only look at the titles to get the drift: "Ain't No Grave," "Redemption Day," "Can't Help Wonder Where I'm Bound." All songs are written in the first person, it's impossible to find any other context for them other than the plight of their performer.

    Luckily, Cash imbues these songs with varying shades to rescue them from moroseness, flashing glimmers of rebellion here and there that tell death exactly where to get off, even as he resignedly accepts its inevitability.

    As always, Cash makes every song sound as if it were written solely for him, such is the power of his eternal baritone. He's even able to keep the Hawaiian goodbye song "Aloha Oe" from sounding like a novelty number, which is no small accomplishment. And anyone expecting a frail effort due to Cash's failing health at the time will be pleasantly surprised; although the boom of the voice is muted, the expressiveness of it still connects with the listener like no other.

    To these ears, Cash actually sounds better than on some of the previous American albums, as if he was able to summon something extra for these final efforts.

    The irony here is that the best things on "American VI" are the songs that are least connected to Cash's limited time on earth. He is brilliant on old buddy Kris Kristofferson's beautiful lost-love lament "For The Good Times," proving that the finest singers can make heartbreak sound downright romantic. And he has a blast with "Cool Water," his mischievous sense of humor and his irrepressible spirit dripping off of his pitch-perfect phrasings.

    These particular songs do Cash the greatest justice on this album because they show his versatility as a performer. If all people know of Johnny Cash are the American recordings, they might fall under the misconception that all he ever sung about was death.

    It turns out that the best moments on "Ain't No Grave" come when the Man In Black, facing down his demise, turns his gaze back to the complexities of life, revealing beauty and truth with every note sung.

    Sample "American VI: Ain't No Grave"

    Adobe Flash Required for flash player. "For the Good Times"

    Adobe Flash Required for flash player. "Cool Water"

    Adobe Flash Required for flash player. "Ain't No Grave"

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    weekend event planner

    Here are the top 15 things to do in Houston this weekend

    Craig Lindsey
    Jun 3, 2026 | 6:30 pm
    Ismali Center, Houston exterior
    Photo by Iwan Baan
    The building is reflected in the pool, a feature common in Muslim design.

    This weekend in Houston will be a very cinematic one.

    The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston’s yearly Jazz on Film series starts this weekend. The DeLUXE Theater recently launched its first Black Music Month film series. And Saturday will mark the grand opening of Lost and Found Media, a brand-new video store located inside Misfit Toys.

    More movie-related happenings will be going down this weekend, along with food events, art events, music events, and the return of a local star we affectionately refer to as The Pompadoured One.

    Thursday, June 4

    Sabine Street Studios presents "Ballet of the Masses" Awards Ceremony
    Experience the vibrant fusion of sport and art at "Ballet of the Masses," where over 40 Houston artists have transformed soccer balls into works of art. The aerial installation celebrates the incredible diversity of styles, skills, techniques, and media brought together by these talented creators. This awards ceremony will honor the artists, led by special guest juror/sports commentator/expert Glenn Davis, whose unique perspective bridges the worlds of athletics and creativity. Through Saturday, July 25. 6 pm.

    Wine & Food Week
    Located in The Woodlands, Wine & Food Week is one of the region’s premier culinary and wine events, with this year’s theme being Going Places, a culinary journey highlighting global flavors, emerging talent, and the innovators shaping the future of food, wine, and hospitality. With hundreds of wines, standout chefs, special guests, and immersive experiences, Wine & Food Week promises a week of indulgence, discovery, and unforgettable flavors. 6 pm (7 pm Saturday).

    Liverpool Legends
    Liverpool Legends are four musicians/actors, handpicked by Louise Harrison (yes, George’s sister), to honor her brother’s legacy and re-create the band that changed the world forever. The audience will experience the complete history of The Beatles, from the early mop-top hits to the Magical Mystery Tour through the psychedelic era, and other classics. With note-perfect vocals, authentic costume changes, and stunning state-of-the-art multimedia, Liverpool Legends allows audiences to experience The Beatles like never before. 7:30 pm.

    Friday, June 5

    Yuma Weekend Pop-Up Takeover
    In anticipation of its brick-and-mortar location opening later this summer, Brazilian/Cuban sandwich pop-up Yuma have scheduled three upcoming pop-ups. The pop-ups will preview some items from their menu, consisting of flavors that blend authentic Brazilian flavors with Cuban sandwich classics. The first pop-up will go down on Friday at cafe/chef residency Third Place, followed by Berwick’s Bird of Paradise on Saturday and 13 Celsius on Sunday. 11 am (1 pm Sunday).

    Cactus Music presents Thomas Csorba In-Store Performance
    Thomas Csorba will be at Cactus Music to perform and sign copies of Tender Country, his third studio album. The Houston-born, Dallas-based Csorba writes country music that feels less like performance and more like witness. His work belongs to the long lineage of Texas songwriters who understand that restraint can carry more weight than spectacle, and that the quietest lines are often the ones that speak the loudest. (For our CultureMap Austin readers, he’ll also be at Waterloo Records on Thursday.) 5:30 pm.

    La Calle Tacos, Juneteenth Houston, and Black Cinema Club HTX presents Bagby Park ‘90s Movie Night
    La Calle Tacos will host a special collaboration with Juneteenth Houston and Black Cinema Club HTX during 19 Days of Juneteenth. It’ll be an outdoor showing of the 1993 hit sequel Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, where Whoopi Goldberg returns to don the nun outfit and lead a teen choir (featuring a young Lauryn Hill!), on a large outdoor screen at La Calle's Midtown location at Bagby Park. Come enjoy tacos, drinks, and good vibes. Seating will be available, but feel free to bring chairs and blankets as well. 7 pm.

    Lyle Lovett with the Houston Symphony
    Houston’s own Lyle Lovett joins the Houston Symphony for a one-night-only performance. With countless accolades — including four Grammy Awards, the Americana Music Association’s Trailblazer Award, and the title of Texas State Musician — Lovett blends country, jazz, folk, swing, and blues into a sound that’s uniquely his own. Known for his dry wit, poetic lyricism, and genre-defying artistry, Lovett remains one of America’s most distinctive and enduring musical voices. 7:30 pm.

    Saturday, June 6

    Time Mission Houston Grand Opening Weekend
    Time Mission is a new, immersive adventure experience from the team behind Museum of Illusions and Sandbox VR. Located at the Marq*E Entertainment District in Spring Branch, teams of 2-5 players (ages 6-106) move through 25+ interactive, mental/physical challenge portals. Time Mission is also giving away 1,000+ free tickets to the first Houstonians to book their experiences. Additional tickets are half-off through Thursday with the code, OPEN50. 11 am.

    Ismali Center, Houston exterior
    Photo by Iwan Baan

    The Ismaili Center hosts the Cardamon Challenge this Sunday.

    Meow Wolf presents Phenomenomaly
    Meow Wolf presents a production that turns Meow Wolf’s newest exhibition into a living stage. The experience marks the first full-scale performance season inside Radio Tave, blending Houston’s creative pulse with Meow Wolf’s signature storytelling. The event invites guests to explore at their own pace through every dimension of the exhibition, with special performances by Houston artists throughout the season. Through Sunday, August 9. 2 pm.

    Michael Carbonaro: Wonderboy
    Michael Carbonaro is best known for his truTV series The Carbonaro Effect on truTV, where he performed inventive tricks on unsuspecting people, unaware that he is a magician. Carbonaro's illusions, along with his absurd, matter-of-fact explanations, leave people bewildered and families laughing out loud. On this tour, audiences will discover him as the Hero of Mischief in a world where magic is the superpower and laughter is the sidekick. 6 pm.

    River Oaks Theatre presents Stolen Kingdom with Filmmaker Q&A
    The 2025 documentary Stolen Kingdom delves into the history of mischief, scandal, and theft at Walt Disney World, ultimately leading to the theft of an animatronic valued at nearly half a million dollars. The film features key figures from the park’s underground exploration community, each sharing their unique stories. As the narrative unfolds, early pranks and antics are shown to have inspired more recent crimes, culminating in a true crime mystery. Filmmaker Joshua Bailey and other guests will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 7 pm.

    Sunday, June 7

    The Ismaili Center, Houston presents Spice Routes: The Cardamom Challenge
    The Ismaili Center, Houston will open its doors for a culinary/cultural experience celebrating the global journey of cardamom through food, art, and community, as well as serving as the debut of the Center’s permanent art collection. Attendees will experience chef-driven tastings with people’s choice voting, a judged, “Chopped”-style culinary competition, curated exhibitions, architecture and garden tours, family programming, and The Bazaar, a vibrant marketplace featuring artisan goods, specialty foods, crafts, and cultural vendors. 11 am.

    I'll Have What She's Having presents Preventative Health Care Bake Sale
    The Houston-based nonprofit has collected baked goods from more than 30 Houston bakers, which will be available for between $2-8. In addition, star pastry chefs such as CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners Christina Au (Blacksmith), Jane Wild (Jane and the Lion), Stephanie Velasquez (Casaema), and Vanarin Kuch (Koffeteria) are contributing "fancy cakes" for a silent auction. Proceeds support the IHWSH healthcare fund which provides no cost preventive wellness appointments to uninsured food and beverage employees. 12 pm.

    Texas Best Music Fest
    The Texas Best Music Fest was created in 2013 to bring together Lone Star musicians to help some deserving children. Proceeds from the show go to Champions Kids Camp, which helps little ones who have survived a traumatic injury, illness, or personal loss. This year’s fest will feature performances by headliners Scotty Alexander and Hayden Bakers, as well as Bill, Kim, and Jimmy Nash, special guest Grace Harrison, and more. 2 pm.

    The Big Queer Picture Show and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston present Cactus Pears
    Cactus Pears is the first of many screenings the Big Queer Picture Show will be co-hosting this Pride Month. Anand, a 30-something urbanite, returns to his rural home village for a 10-day mourning period for his father. He reconnects with Balya, a family friend and local farmer. As the mourning ends, Anand returns to the city and must decide the fate of his relationship with Balya. Winner of the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, where judges proclaimed it to be “the great modern love story . . . the world needs right now.” 5 pm.

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