Even music. Old songs, old voices. Both or either. There's something moving about listening to Johnny Cash sing "Hurt" (a song originally sung by Trent Reznor). Hearing that age roughened voice makes the words more heartbreaking for me. "Everyone I know goes away, in the end." Watching his hands shaking, seeing his face, aged and seamed with a lifetime's worth of experience gives more depth to his work. This song speaks of pain and regret and (imho) is more believably his than anyone else's.
Willie Nelson has the same effect - his cover of Dave Matthews "Gravedigger" is more poignant, an elderly man requesting his grave be shallow "so I can feel the rain."
One last video - another of my favorites. B.B. King singing "One Kind Favor" from his latest album, although it's listed as "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" on the link. The album is named One Kind Favor also. He's 84 years old and still going strong. And his blues are the blues for me.
Their voices are still beautiful, just different.
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I just heard a Johnny Cash song on the radio this morning. I think he had a pure faith, and it was of the kind where he knew he was as human and flawed as anyone else. I like hime a lot. The others you have mentioned too. Though, a bit mixed on BB. I have been thinking what to say on this one for a long time! - rose
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