A Heartbeat and a Guitar tells of the collaboration of two distinct yet connected musicians–iconoclast Johnny Cash and little known folk artist Peter LaFarge–and the album they created, Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian. It also tells of the unique personal, political and cultural struggles that informed this album–especially the fight for Native people’s rights–one that has influenced scores of musicians and activists. In this inimitable account, A Heartbeat and a Guitar strays out of the recording studio and into the presidential campaigns, government halls, Indian reservations, picket lines, bohemian cafes, university campuses, factory lines, civil rights marches, fish-ins and anti-war protests. Click on the image above to purchase!

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Jack Healey “Hunt for the Perfect World” from Let Fury Have the Hour on Vimeo.

Jack Healey speaks at the event “A Furious Heartbeat.”

“As the poet hunts for the perfect word, the artist hunts for the right painting or the right color, we humans should hunt for the perfect world.”

(video shot by Joshua Gibson)

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Antonino Interview with Laura Flanders from Let Fury Have the Hour on Vimeo.

D’Ambrosio joined Laura Flanders in the GRITtv studio to talk about the history of protest music, the myth of Johnny Cash, and why music is one of the best ways to carry a progressive message. Then, in a special performance, he was joined by Anthony Roman and David Milone of the band Radio 4 to perform Cash’s song “Apache Tears” live.

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A Heartbeat and a Guitar Book Tour from Let Fury Have the Hour on Vimeo.

Documentary “Let Fury Have the Hour” Director Antonino D’Ambrosio just recently toured the United States to promote his newest book “A Heartbeat and a Guitar: Johnny Cash and the Making of Bitter Tears.” This is a sample of what audiences had the opportunity to experience– a unique mix of both folk music and the inspiring story of Cash’s most revolutionary album.

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