Sitting down to watch this I have to admit not knowing a great deal about Mr Cash beyond the basics – he wore black, has been in prison, had a hard life and sung some pretty good stuff like “Ring Of Fire” and had been sampled by De La Soul at one point!
It was a relief to see the DVD open with a live performance of “Ring Of Fire”, wonderfully grainy and atmospheric.
Johnny isn’t quite as unhinged, as Bob Dylan in Don’t Look Back, but the feel is the same – on the hoof footage, catching him on the run. Snatched moments backstage and glimpses from the wings of live concerts.
During the course of the film we see him wander around shooting in the woods, cradling a crow, on the road and playing in a prison, among other scenarios.
We see lots of concert footage and much backstage stuff with him listening to auditions and songs.
His voice as always is one of the strongest on the C&W scene, rich and dark, brooding and emotional. The songs are a mix of traditional C&W and folk or blues and have a quality that tugs at the heartstrings.
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There are great performances of, among others “Five Feet High and Rising”, “Folsom Prison Blues” and “The Devil To Pay” and a slot with Karl Perkins playing “Blue Suede Shoes” and even an appearance by Mr Dylan himself– all of which are excellent. I know Johnny has many fans in the music world – as witnessed by the tribute album to him we reviewed last year. and you can see why – song writing, the voice and the style all lend him a certain individuality that leaves him standing out from the rest of the stetsoned and rhinestoned crowd,.
It may not have the caustic wit of “Don’t Look Back” but – if you’re a Cash fan, then you’ll be pleased with this period piece, well restored. If you’re not a fan yet – then have a look at this - it’s pretty good introduction to The Man, His World, His Music!
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