John McEuen – “Pineapple John”
John McEuen is releasing an album of spoken word songs, The Newsman, on April 12 via Compass Records. This is a special treat with John McEuen performing the poems vocally, accompanied by various instruments in a supporting role. Each of the songs tells a story – they are poems and other writings from Longfellow, Robert Service, Hank Williams Sr., and more. We are premiering one of the songs, which was written by John Carter Cash, “Pineapple John.”
The album was executive produced by John Carter Cash and produced by Trey Call; it was mixed and mastered by Nick Sevilla.
“Pineapple John” is John McEuen on guitars in various tunings, Deering bajo in various tunings, Zeta fiddle, mandolin, mandola, lap slide, piano, bass, and vocals/spoken word. It starts with acoustic guitar and the story begins: “PJ, Pineapple John, kept his house like a squirrel with a penchant for fish hooks. Lining the oak panels around the living room, the bedroom, and the kitchen and the washroom were every leader, and bobber, and lure he ever bought….” And then the story unfolds from there. This is a great idea, and utterly captivating. Pull on your headphones and really listen, these stories are fascinating and the delivery is perfect.
In looking at various writings from Longfellow to Robert Service, I asked John Carter Cash if he had any “poetry or stories of your own… I’m looking for .. something different.” He showed me several things, and “Pineapple John” stood out as the perfect one for this collection. I loved the way it takes you right in to P.J.’s life, where and how he lived, and you find out at the end he even played … kind of.. Pickle Ball! For me, this story took me away to this time, getting me out of ‘my time’; I took a few minutes off, and went to P.J.’s space. I hope others find that same attraction.
Laying it down in one take was essential to me, so I spent a few days with it, finding an instrument that fit. Since it was ‘about’ a guitar, that choice was easy, and what to pick just seemed to ‘fall off the strings’. I got it in one, after a run-through for the engineer, and here it is. – John McEuen
Find the music here: https://found.ee/newsman
