I watched a good old movie tonight... "The Border" with Jack Nicholson acting as a border patrol policeman, somewhere in Texas along the Mexican-American border. Ry Cooder did part of the sound bite including the final song "Across the Borderline"

"Across the Borderline" is a melodious, melancholy song written by Ry Cooder and John Hiatt. It has been sung by many performers and I couldn't help but notice the difference in the renditions. Freddie Fender did the original song for the movie, but I've heard it sung by many others including Willie Nelson, Ry Cooder, Bruce Springsteen, Texicali Rose and others. Personally, I preferred Freddie Fender and Willie Nelson, and it got me to thinking about performers who I have enjoyed more than others singing the same songs. Most often it's because of the emotion in their voice. I don't like everything that even my favourite performers sing, but the ones I like certainly sing a song like they meant it. Elvis had it, Willie Nelson still has it, and yet some singers with better voices don't have it.

In case you are wondering about the song... these are the words.

Across the borderline

There's a place that I've been told

Every street is paved with gold

And it's just across the borderline

When it's time to take your turn

There's a lesson you must learn

You can lose more than you ever hope to find

And when you reach the broken promised land

Every dream slips through your hand

Then you know that it's too late

To change your mind

'Cause you pay the price to come this far

Just to wind up where you are

And you're still just across the borderline

Up and down the Rio Grande

A thousand footprints in the sand

They reveal the secrets no one can define

The river flows on like a breath

In between our life and death

Tell me who's the next to cross the borderline

But hope remains when pride is gone

And it keeps you moving on

Calling you a cross the border line

And when you reach the broken promised land

Every dream slips through your hand

And you'll lose more than you'll ever hope to find

'Cause you pay the price to come this far

Just to wind up where you are

And you're still just across the borderline

I think K.D.Langs version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is one of the best musical renditions of anything I've ever listened to. Unmatched voice control and sung with such ease.

Regards.

Tracy Nelson...little known but great...Mike Bloomfield played on the Mother Earth album...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tL2eEjkQeyE

of course there's my girl Janis (SHE SIGNED MY JACKET GODDAMIT, SHE'S MINE GODDAMIT)

and Aretha...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi6dqhi8Ptw

then there are countless back up singers and you can hear their voices soaring above the leads...Emmylou Harris on Bob Dylan's Desire comes to mind...also with Gram Parsons on Love Hurts...

Sailing.

Pinano man.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sFlBJ1Jk3w

And for those who know the real story behind this song.

Phil Collins.

For moving lyrics delivered with emotion, Natalie Merchant "Beloved Wife".

I think the lrics themselves have alot of emotion, so I'll post them here before the vid.

You were the love

for certain of my life

you were simply my beloved wife

I don't know for certain

how I'll live my life

now alone without my beloved wife

my beloved wife

I can't believe

I've lost the very best of me

you were the love

for certain of my life

you were simply my beloved wife

I don't know for certain

how I'll live my life

now alone without my beloved wife

my beloved wife

I can't believe

I've lost the very best of me

you were the love

for certain of my life

for 50 years simply my beloved wife

with another love I'll never lie again

it's you I can't deny

it's you I can't defy

a depth so deep

into my grief

without my beloved soul

I renounce my life

as my right

now alone without my beloved wife

my beloved wife

my beloved wife

my love is gone she suffered long

in hours of pain

my love is gone

now my suffering begins

my love is gone

would it be wrong if I should

surrender all the joy in my life

go with her tonight?

my love is gone she suffered long

in hours of pain

my love is gone

would it be wrong if I should

just turn my face away from the light

go with her tonight?

http:///www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvgAP0NpEes&feature=related

Something a bit more recent:

What About Me

Well someone had to do it!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3The_d-Tkg0

This one goes right to my heart, and i hope to my father

Here is an irish song, about a little boy who is autistic. Mossfinn and i have sent this one back and forward for years. I have a nephew with aspergers which is not as bad as autism but a wee bit bad.

This lady knew what she wanted

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F46AJCdMTw

Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Nat king Cole ( and his daughter ), Rod Stewpot, And of course the most underrated singer of all time Noddy Holder.

i think id have to go with this particular artist and song, although there are many others that i could have picked. a truly amazing talent and way ahead of her time, when it comes to musical genius !

the song has a special particular meaning to me and brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye, every time i here it..

please enjoy the wonderful voice and lady that is, kate bush.

Not sure if I did this right or not...

I tried transfering Whitney Houston singing "I will always love you"

Dolly Parton did the original in the movie "Best little whorehose in Texas" I liked Dolly's rendition almost as much because it came from the heart.

Nope, I haven't figured it out.

Ray Charles, Sam Cooke, Nat king Cole ( and his daughter ), Rod Stewpot, And of course the most underrated singer of all time Noddy Holder.

yeah, I'll go with all of that...tune into Rod when he was with the Jeff Beck Group and 'Old Man River' before he went out on his own...

Reamke of Doris Day song.

Great singer. Very sad story. (Watch the vid).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYATxm6Rf1M