Normally when submissions come through your email you have to go through and listen to them to decide whether or not you’d like to feature them. But when a submission comes through with “Johnny Cash” in the subject line, you don’t have to read it or listen to it, it’s an automatic YES, at least for me. I’ve loved Johnny Cash just about my whole life. It may sound cheesy or strange, but he’s had a huge impact on my life. Johnny Cash is one of the most well-known legends to ever grace music. He’s a man who needs no introductions. Cash’s influence on the music industry spanned various genres, including country, rock, and gospel, the genres for which he was inducted into the Hall of Fames. Johnny Cash is widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.
The world lost Cash on September 12, 2003, but his music continues to live on for generations to come. Cash fans are probably the luckiest fans in music, as we continue to get “new” music from the artist, even 12 years after the legend’s death. Several years after Cash’s death, his son, John Carter Cash, revealed that Cash had recorded many songs, compilations, and full albums that never saw the light of day. There have been a total of 4 records posthumously released since 2003. The first was American V: A Hundred Highways, which was released in 2006, 3 years after Cash’s death, and hit #1 on the US charts. The next record to be released wasAmerican VI: Ain’t No Grave, in 2010, which hit #2 on the US charts. The third one to be released was Out Among the Stars, released in March 2014, and debuted at #1 on the US Country charts.
The latest posthumously released record is Johnny Cash: Live From Denmark, which was originally recorded live at a Denmark show in 1971. The concert recording was originally taped for a Danish TV audience on a soundstage, and released on DVD in 2006. Almost 10 years later, the concert has been released as an album. The record opens with Cash’s most well-known novelty song, “A Boy Named Sue”. Originally a poem written by Shel Silverstein, Cash was at the height of his success when he recorded the song in 1969. “A Boy Named Sue” was originally recorded live at California’s San Quentin State Prison at a concert on February 24th, 1969. Cash would add comical variations to the song when performing it live. The version included on this record features a few switch-ups to the original, including the ending where Cash sings, “If I ever have a boy I think I’m gonna name him….. after you” instead of “If I ever have a boy I think I’m gonna name him…. Bill or George, anything but Sue!” Cash sings the song with the same fun energy he usually sang it with. When most people think of Cash, they think of the darker songs like “Folsom Prison Blues”, but in reality, Cash recorded quite a few lighter, funnier songs throughout his career. Cash proved he could excel at any song.
The album includes the staples like “I Walk The Line”, “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down”, “Folsom Prison Blues”, and “Man In Black”, along with a cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “Me and Bobby McGee”. Live from Denmark also includes performances from long time Cash friends and tour partners, Carl Perkins, The Statler Brothers, and The Carter family. Carl Perkins brings the energy up to the roof with his performance of his smash hit “Blue Suede Shoes”, a song Cash would cover in concerts early in his career. Cash introduces Perkins as “a regular member of our concert show, as well as our television show for many, many years, one of America’s favorites, one of the world’s favorites”. Carl Perkins was one of the original rock and rollers/rockabillies, along with Elvis, Cash, Lewis, and Orbison. The record also features Perkins performing “Matchbox”, another rousing, rock and roll single.
Cash introduces The Statler Brothers as “From the state of Virginia, the Grammy award winning, the most versatile,” before the music cues up and the band opens with “Bed of Roses”. One of the many things I love about this record is the fact that it features the Statler Brothers. I love the group and adore their harmonies. The record features performances of my two favorite Statler Brothers songs, “Bed of Roses” and “Flowers On The Wall”. The group is one of the absolute best live performers ever. Their harmonies are absolutely spot on at all times.
The Carter Family needs no introduction from me. Most people know that the Carters had a long standing relationship with Johnny Cash, cemented by his marriage to June Carter. The Carter Family were pioneers in country music, originally made up by AP Carter, Sara Carter, and Maybelle Carter, and then with “Mother” Maybelle and her daughters, Helen, Anita, and June, taking over and carrying on the legacy. Variations of the Carter Family would tour with Cash, serving as openers, with June ultimately leaving the group to tour full time with Cash. Cash introduced the Carter Family with “The latest addition to the Country Music Hall of Fame was Mother Maybelle Carter, and I’m mighty proud that she’s my mother-in-law. She’s been recording for 44 years this month,” then introduced Maybelle, Helen, and Anita. The Carters perform “A Song To Mama”, then join Cash and the Statler Brothers on the spirituals “No Need To Worry”, “Rock of Ages”, and “Children, Go Where I Send Thee”.
I don’t know about you, but I could listen to Cash sing spirituals all week long, and the fact that these performances feature harmonies by the Statler Brothers and The Carter Family, makes them all the more enjoyable. You’ll find yourself singing along to this whole record, and thoroughly enjoying yourself. I’m so glad that we get to experience new music from the Man in Black, a decade after his death. It’s truly a blessing. I look forward to the albums to come, as John Carter Cash has said that there’s enough unreleased music for at least five more records. Until then, enjoy this wonderful record! It’s the perfect Christmas present for any Cash fan. (cough, cough, hint, hint, to my family)
Originally posted here.
