Johnny Cash - The Best of The Johnny Cash TV Show

The Best of the Johnny Cash TV Show Bottom Line:

This is an absolute "must have" for any country music lover. The value of being able to watch live performances of over 30 icons in the music industry as they were 30 years ago is priceless. Add to that the sheer presence of Johnny Cash in his own show and you have an essential item for your collection.

Legacy has released a two DVD set of 66 live performances from The Johnny Cash TV Show. This is a 'Best of' release, so they have pulled the musical performances out of the show that started on June 7, 1969 and ended in March of 1971. It is a rare glimpse back into what was ground breaking entertainment at the time it was filmed.

In a time when our country was in political upheaval, Cash used his time onstage to not only entertain but to educate as well. He brought guests on that crossed genres, he talked candidly on campuses around the country about politics and drugs and anything else the students wanted to talk about, and he always did everything in his power to bridge the various gaps through his music.

This package comes with the two DVD's that contain about four hours of pure entertainment as well as a very nice booklet filled with photos and a synopsis of the show and what it was all about. Also included in the book are photo copies of various TV Guide listings for the show to give folks an idea of how it was presented at the time it was aired.

Kris Kristofferson gives a commentary between segments as to what the feelings at the time were for the various performers. Again, Cash was revolutionary for the time when he chose who to invite on the show. The first guest appearing on the DVD is Bob Dylan. And he was just the start of a wide variety of genres and incredible talents that would share the stage with Cash during the run of the show. Some of the guests are now recognized as huge names in the industry, but at the time of their appearance they were just starting out and the show was a big break for them.

I think one of the most enjoyable performances for me on the first disc was Louis Armstrong. I'm familiar with his music of course, but I don't ever remember seeing him perform on any show. He had such a neat personality and it was great watching the interaction between him and Cash as they sang "Blue Yodel #9" together. "Bad Moon Rising" is a song I've often heard, but this was my first opportunity to see the original artists perform it live. Stevie Wonder appeared and sang "Heaven Help Us All." Linda Ronstadt's appearance was preceded by a funny anecdote about what June Carter Cash had to say before the taping. Apparently Ronstadt was rehearsing onstage when Carter Cash walked by and happened to notice that she was not wearing any panties.

Show hairstylist Penny Lane recalls Carter Cash rushing backstage yelling she needed some money. They had to run somewhere before show time and buy some panties because that girl was not going to be singing with her Johnny onstage 'bare butt.' Apparently Ronstadt got wind of what was happening and didn't want to because she thought she sang better that way, but Carter Cash wouldn't budge. When Ronstadt was filmed onstage singing "I Will Never Marry" with Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash was resting easier knowing the essentials were covered.

And having been a long time fan of June Carter Cash, I can hear her saying every word. These behind the scenes stories allow you to glimpse a side of the shows that you would otherwise not be a part of. The entertainment continued with performances by a new artist by the name of Tammy Wynette, a very young and energetic George Jones, along with up and coming musician songwriter Kris Kristofferson.

One of the more politically outspoken folk artists of the day, Pete Seeger, was also an invited guest. In one of the songs Cash performed, he defied the network people and sang "Sunday Morning Coming Down" the way it was written, with the word stoned. And his ratings were still through the roof.

It wouldn't be a Cash show without a performance by Mother Maybelle and the Carter sisters, and "Wildwood Flower" has long been a favorite song of mine. And who can forget Waylon Jennings, again very young but with his distinctive voice. And he was backed up on keyboards by Jessi Colter.

Disc one has a lot of great commentary throughout by Kris Kristofferson, John Carter Cash, Marshall Grant (one of the Tennessee Three), Hank Williams Jr., show musical arranger Bill Walker and show hairstylist Penny Lane. They all offered some great personal glimpses into why some of the decisions were made regarding the show.

Disc two has less commentary and more straight performances. You will see more of June Carter Cash in this disc and she kicks off the music after announcing that she had been busy the previous season having a 'perfect baby boy.' She sang a song she wrote about Johnny, "A Good Man."

Homer & Jethro came on the show to do a skit version of their humorous song with June, "Baby It's Cold Outside." If you have ever heard that song you can just about imagine the laughs it got seeing it performed as a skit. Johnny & June also share the stage for a few songs including "Jackson" and a poignant nursery set with a baby John Carter Cash singing "Turn Around."