Justin Bieber Covers Johnny Cash And Tracy Chapman, Brace Yourself Nashville?
Justin Bieber recently sang covers of Johnny Cash’s classic “Ring of Fire” and Tracy Chapman’s “Talkin’ ’bout A Revolution.”
It looks like Justin Bieber is serious about unplugging from those R&B, pop and hip-hop big beats. For a while at least.
Maybe his ears need a rest? Or, maybe the Biebs has decided to investigate the non-ratchet world of country now that Taylor Swift has vacated the genre?
Whatever the reason(s), yesterday the 20-year-old posted an Instagram video of a shirtless jam session featuring him, R&B singer pal Khalil Sharieff, (and walk-on friend Lil Za), as the pair took on Johnny Cash’s huge hit “Ring Of Fire.”
Cash didn’t write the song; it was penned by his wife June Carter Cash and his best friend Merle Kilgore. But the Man in Black made it famous when it appeared on his 1963 album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash.
So, did Bieber and Sharieff do it justice?
Well, considering neither are bass-baritones as Cash was, the 15-second glimpse of their cover wasn’t a humiliation. In fact, it was decent.
“We wake up singin good ol johny cash @khalil came with with the crazy tone lol,” Justin captioned the Instagram clip.
Before Bieber posted the duo’s version of Cash’s classic, the Canadian unveiled a stomping cover of Tracy Chapman’s anthem, “Talkin’ ’bout a Revolution.” For some reason he deleted it, then reposted later on Monday.
Released as a second cut off Chapman’s self-titled, Grammy award-winning 1988 album, the song became a staple at college campuses in the late ’80s, according to VH1.
Bieber tweeted a Vine of himself singing the blues/folk/rock song. In the clip, he offers a zesty part-rendition of Chapman’s hit.
Straight after that posting the singer tweeted, “I love music,” before jokingly telling his current musical collaborator, Australian idol, Cody Simpson, to “get back to the studio fool” amid the prep for release of the pair’s “cool acoustic project.”
Who knows whether the “Heartbreaker” singer intends banging on Nashville’s doors at some point? But we do know:
New music coming…this year )
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 22, 2014
In addition, the Biebs teased an “acoustic album” release — along with a picture of three guitars — a few weeks ago.
Bieber has since added to his collection:
What is next pic.twitter.com/x29oMzEIbn
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) August 24, 2014
Judging by his not-so-long-ago cover of Kansas’ “Dust in the Wind,” the singer could stand more guitar practice: but as far as vocals are concerned, Bieber seems to be able to move between pop, R&B, dance and country — easily.
As for the style?
