Roots Archives Forum

I have been searching for a copy of Johnny Cash's "Burning Ring of Fire" done in a reggae version. I heard it performed on the TV show "E.R." I have so far found out it was done by a group named "I-Tex" out of Austin, Texas of all places. Supposedly done in the early 70's. Any info that you can give me that will get me a little closer to actually having this piece of music would be greatly appreciated.

I got an email from Mike Pawka informing me that he believed it was done by the "Upsetters" but I have searched in vain following that lead. They did a song called, I believe "Touch of Fire" but that is not it.

If I'm not mistaken Skatalites has done a instrumental version of Ring of Fire. Don't remember the title or the album name though.

Close call capp! The Skatalites changed the title to "Ball of Fire". Great jazzy style instrumental reggae it is too!

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:qmX ... mazon.com/

Ring Of Fire is on Lee Perry & Friends album Give Me Power - it's an instrumental.

The Skatalites song is "Occupation", which can be found on "Foundation Ska". There is also an updated version on the album "Ball of Fire".

Strange as it may seem to those of you who know me as a roots rock reggae man, but I am actually a long time fan of Johnny Cash - thanks to my mother who used to play his LPs to me when I was pre-teen in the 60s and very early 70s. And a few years ago, when I caught sound of his Folsom Prison Blues on a TV show, I knew I had to find all those LPs again, and have done - Live at San Quentin is a special favourite of mine.

And the Skatalites Ball of Fire CD is one of the very few examples of where a modern version of a classic group still sounds (almost) as good as the original line up.

But for me NOTHING (from JA in that era) beats this, the original Skatalites LP - it's REAL killa...

http://www.roots-archives.com/release/2669

Hi Leggo Rocker

Actually, I would be surprised if you didn't like Johnny Cash! It's roots music, after all.

I do love "Live at...."(both "Live at's..." to be honest), but my favourite all time Johnny Cash song is the Rick Rubin produced "The Man Comes Around". Be afraid!

Don't have that particular Skatalites album. Must track it down. Thanks for the heads-up on that one.

Hi!

Grace Jones has done a wicked version with Sly & Robbie at Compass Point Studios, Nassau.

Interestingly Johnny Cash had owned a house in Jamaica.One christmas him and his family where there having dinner when many men came in and held them hostage while demanding money.Eventually no money was given and the assailants left.

Also JOhnny Cash and i believe with the guy from the clash(Joe Strummer??) did an interesting cover of Redemption song a few years back.

My personal faverourite song is How High from Cash.

He wrote "Worried Man" after he was approachd by a bloke in Falmouth JA, who told him he had "9 pickneys and no job and he was a worried man."

Bizarrely, Willie Nelson covered this song on a reggae album he did!!!