I was flipping channels last night and I stumbled onto a new channel on DirecTV called Ovation. They were showing a Johnny Cash concert from 1994.
I’ve seen “Walk the Line” and I’ve read one of the biographies. I have vague memories of watching the Johnny Cash show on television as a kid. I’m not a fan of mainstream C&W, but I’ve always had a passing interest in Cash’s music. However, after watching that concert, WOW!
After performing a few of his big hits with the band, he sat down on a stool with a guitar and held the audience, including me, totally captive for about thirty minutes. I understand now why he was such a superstar. Ladies and gentleman, that was an entertainer. No light, no lasers, no smoke, no videos, no half-naked dancing girls, just a man with a guitar doing what he loved.
Have you heard his live-from-prison albums like “Live at Folsom Prison” and “Live at San Quentin?” Very cool.
I was lucky enough to see Johnny Cash live…twice! Fantastic each time.
I like most kinds of music including some country. However, I always found Cash’s music odd to say the least, that is until I watched Walk the Line. I don’t know what happened but I became a huge fan watching it even though everything, inculding the singing was reproduced. I am fascinated with his haunting voice and unique style of music that is just his now.
I got to see Johnny Cash live in 1996, I think, at a fairly small venue. It was truly awesome. They don’t make them like that anymore.
I saw Cash live in 1994 at the Glastonbury Festival. He was pretty amazing. Apparently he was a bit worried beforehand about the reception he would get, but he really didn’t need to.
CMT showed Live at San Quentin last night. I only caught the last 20 or so minutes but it was great.
The MTV Unplugged special they did a few years back with him and Willie Nelson was terrific. I remember being surprised at what a good guitarist Willie was, and of course it was just packed with great stuff - must have been 20 classic songs in a row.
I need to pick up one of those and listen. And then maybe get the other.
I’ve been slowly going through some of the old blues masters (Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, etc). At worst, its been enjoyable and educational. At best, it’s been downright addicting. I suspect when I listen to some of Cash’s live stuff, I’ll find it has a bit in common.
I’ve listened to Willie for a long time. I’ve made the casual observation that Willie plays two types of music. He plays what makes him money and then he plays what he wants to play. I tend to enjoy the latter more.
Saw him in the late '80’s at the Pan Am Center at NMSU. At the time he was one of the four “Highwaymen.”
Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson performed together for about 30 to 40 minutes, then three would leave the stage and each one did some solo work.
Johnny Cash taught me that night that some songs are only ment to be performed live.
I was lucky enough to see Cash live twice. The man had presence.
Oddly, the day my mother and father were married, they went that night, after the reception, to see a Johnny Cash concert held at the Milton Tennis stadium!
mm
Were I to stumble upon one of his concerts, I’d have to take my own life. As an entertainer, I cannot think of anyone who’s work underwhelms me more.
Song-writing and musicianship…that’s another story. Definitely not my favorite, but I can see a degree of value there.