He is a megastar, in the eyes of the Creator. I have pondered the same question. If I were a King, he would be my court troubadour. Honored and treasured.
I love Sam's modesty, he's so talented yet was willing to concede when John's voice was more powerful. Love listening to both play and sing, whole group of New Grass Revival was so talented. It's a real shame that the radio wanted to pigeon hole such talent and never played some of the best musicians around.
I had heard this three or four times before tonight. With every hearing I realize more and more how incredible his voice is. He sings with fantastic technique but also with the genuine emotion that puts it over the top! No one could do this song any better!
John has a miraculous gift in the quality of his voice, and in his amazing ability to control his breathing. I've studied opera and also worked in the business of rock/pop/folk music. In over fifty years I've rarely heard a vocalist who is as talented as John Cowan. The first time I heard him with The New Grass Revival & Leon Russell at the Beacon Theater in NYC (early 80's) his voice gave me goose-bumps and I was an instant believer in the gift of his superb voice.
I've been fortunate enough to hear John live numerous times, including with New Grass Revival and The Doobie Brothers.......hands down the purest voice you will ever hear!
What a voice, what a voice!!!!!! I've been following John Cowan too, since BGR days!!! It's a sheer pleasure to listen to him hit those high notes---but then he puts his own John Cowan style on it!!!
John is a greatest country singer that I've ever heard. And Sam is a real virtuoso . I watched NEW GRASS REVİVAL ( in İSTANBUL) three times and we never forgot them.
I really can not figure out how someone could have a negative vote for this video. I have never heard this band or singer, and not even my STYLE of music, but this was very very nice.
Same here... I just stumbled across this, I don't even listen to ... what is this, blue grass? country? who cares? THAT guy is amazing. Anybody down voting this just hates life... or something...
What a gorgeous voice. John has such an authentic, beautiful voice for a such a sad song. Sam Bush is now an iconic mandolin legend. Both men tell America's mountain story. God bless John and Sam.
I have been a fan of John Cowans now for over 20 years. Love when he was with NGR too. My children have grown up listening to him and love his music, and NOW my grandkids will get that pleasure. I have seen him perform at least 10 times, and he just gets better.
I've startedin gospelthen bluegrass and now country and I've never heard a sweeter voice John Cowen is definitely a blessing straight from God Himself!
Never heard the like to New Grass Revival, all great musicians nd never fail to leave you in awe. John Cowan's voice can make you cry, or fall in love. Sam Bush incredible on that mandolin. Saw the whole band several times and I was practically a puddle on the floor.
Such a mournful and honorable tribute to the original written by Merle Travis; and, to miners about whom it was written. John Cowan captures the soul of the lyric like no other performer I have heard, and there have been a few: Tennessee Ernie Ford and Johnny Cash for starters. This version is worthy of as much noteriety and credit as can be given. Still gives me chills to hear it after all this time.
I too have been lucky enough to see John Cowan perform in multiple shows with the New Grass Revival at the Down Home in Johnson City...I loved this video! Thank you.....
Why haven't I ever heard of John Cowan??! This guy should be uber famous, why the fuck do crappy commercial acts get all the fame, fortune and glory, while the most talented groups go by the wayside virtually unheard? Never ceases to amaze me the sheer volume of crappy, talentless dregs get pushed into the limelight, when there are unearthed gems like John Cowan glistening in broad daylight, yet hardly seen or heard by anyone. Just bought "New Tattoo" from 'Bluegrass Works,' this guy's a keeper!
Back in the late Fall of '73, hitchin' out of Binghamton, New York, late one night, I caught a ride with a truck driver who took me down into Virginia, down old highway17. In passing, he claimed he was the original author of this song; that he went down into the mines himself as a young man; that he'd shared this song with Merle Travis, who said he'd give him "half the credits" (because he'd just wrote the words;) but that he never got a dime for the words, or any credit either. True story...
Just seeing this video but had the Blue Grass Revival albums back in the day!! I loved them and John Cowan wherever you are you are friggin' amazing!! It would be awesome to see you perform!!
I’ve been going through a nostalgic phase lately and listening to New Grass Revival A LOT! I remember my dad recording this when I was 2yrs old. I fell in love with John Cowan’s voice when I heard this one! I kept telling my dad “Again! Again!” And he’d have to replay it til I fell asleep! Lol I’ve been trying my hardest to find this again! Thank you for posting😊
o man.. you know my uncle who is now dead gave me your tape in 1980 something. i have shared your music with kellyobrien@asu.edu my old flame from durango colorado . she is the director at the lincon center for applied ethics. also i was at one time very big on facebook,, your music has inspired my very heart and soul. many many thousands of people i have shared your music with.. my uncle told me that your song revival was my song... me. and it still 30 years later is. thankyou mr. john cowan shalom. wawoohola..- lakoda soux for respect. have a great and happy lifetime my friend and brother of spirit. aho-blessings
i am a native american med man and dancer. and an anchient world history buff. i lived in kentucky for over 8 years long ago... i play precussion for over 30 years. thanks man for telling the truth from your heart. it means a lot to me
2shooz Like almost everyone, the first time I heard him sing I was dumbstruck and speechless. I've heard some singers that "could sing the phone book", and he may have been the first almost 40 years ago.
Reba, Sam needed to tell a story on how untapped this resource was....Great intro to the song...it set it up and John delivered. Sam is a very humble virtuoso mandolin player and one hell of a voice too.
Had the pleasure of seeing John Cowan at The Down Home in Johnson City a couple weeks ago. Wow what an amazing show he put on and the ensemble of musicians he had there made it all the better!! Bravo John and everyone there with him!
OMG!! What a surprise to readthiscomment!! I saw New Grass Revival MANY times at the Down Home Pickn Parlor in the late 1970s!!! I would have loved to see him there again, but I now live in Montana.
John - this is the first time I heard this song, You are timeless soul. Scott misses writing with you - we were listening to old tapes last week......Would love it if you recorded "Something So Real". This song reminds me of that. Happy belated birthday, Duke!
I dfidn't know who John was when he got up and sang a song at The Station Inn in Nashville last year (2010). One song and I knew this was the voice among the 12 or so professional singers taking their turns that night. He went high lonesome that night like that non-traditionalist, Bill Monroe. This video, though. Wow. Like a previous poster hinted at, American Idol has spent 10 years trying to recreate something that existed long before. This needs preservation. Doobie Brother now.
Not speaking specifically of John here, but his purity of voice and style got me to thinking about this especially within the turbulent events of 2020. As much as youth can irritate you with their absolute certainty untempered by experience, it's the exuberance of their certainty and self-assured rightness of purpose that allows such purity. They are certain they are coming from a place of righteousness and their message is true. I think this is where young John's style is coming from, and not the place of a vocal diva. I think his vocal flourishes come from his heart and not his head. No doubt he is fully aware of and appreciates his range and clarity, but the fact he uses it to such stunning evocative effect to affect our emotions is only him effectively applying the tool God gave him to change the world in whatever way He intended. I see a man taking great joy in that gift and his ability to perform and share that joy with others. I came back to this performance today after reading extensively about the gifts to bluegrass, newgrass, jazz and music in general of the late Tony Rice. There are certain performances I return to to ground myself when my music world gets shaken and this is one of them. I hope you too have like grounding memories in your life.
Thanks for for your comment back to me 1FLEWUNDER.....I gave you a 1+ for your comment here! I'm a heavy duty fan of John Cowan....wish I lived in an area where I could attend his concerts!! We have a few venues here and maybe one day he'll appear at our Farmer's Opry--I'll buy my ticket the day I hear he's coming!!
"The Gong Show" ended years ago. ..Now go use that as motivation to get yer' ass out there for yourself. What difference does it make wether one could write something? It's all about a feeling.. even the best songwriters in the world can feel the words with there vocals sometimes more from what there not capable of writing themselves. "I think he feels it, the voice is what to appreciate here". - David W. Molde
Doree again, I somehow erased my last response to you, so, I'll tell you again how much I enjoyed your beautiful voice. I am going to keep watching......
