Johnny Cash - Man in Black, Live in Denmark 1971 [DVD-5. Remastered]

The incomparable Johnny Cash takes the stage with his wife, June Carter Cash, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins and the Carter Family in this 1971 concert filmed live for Danish television. A memorable set list includes "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line," "A Boy Named Sue," "Man in Black" "Me and Bobby McGee," "Help Me Make It Through the Night," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Flowers on the Wall" and the Maybelle Carter tribute, "Dear Mama."

Johnny Cash and a slew of friends and family members take center stage for Live in Denmark 1971, a performance that's part revue, part career overview, and pretty much all good. That the show works so well may surprise some, as the setting is hardly some funky backwoods honky tonk, or even San Quentin; indeed, the Danish TV studio is antiseptic, and the audience, while polite and receptive, is for the most part rather restrained. But Cash is positively ebullient throughout this hour-long appearance, smiling, laughing, even dancing, clearly in peak form as he rolls out the hits, including "A Boy Named Sue," "I Walk the Line," "Folsom Prison Blues," and no less than three Kris Kristofferson songs ("Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down," "Me and Bobby McGee," and "Help Me Make it Through the Night," the latter one of several duets with wife June Carter). He's also happy to share the stage with his cohorts, of whom there are many. Rockabilly pioneer Carl Perkins, then playing guitar along with the Tennessee Three, Cash's usual backup band, ignites the crowd (well, sort of–they aren't exactly moshing in the aisles, but they're definitely into it) with "Blue Suede Shoes" and a thoroughly rockin' "Matchbox," perhaps the highlight of the whole show; the Statler Brothers step forward for "Flowers on the Wall," an obvious but still welcome choice; and even mother-in-law Maybelle Carter, a bona fide country music legend, is on hand, singing with June and sisters Helen and Anita. There are some flaws: "Dear Mama," the sisters' tribute to Mother Maybelle, is as mawkish as country music gets, and that's saying something. But all is forgiven when the entire crew comes onstage for an extended gospel finale, culminating with a rousing "Children, Go Where I Send Thee." All in all, a terrific addition to the legacy of the Man in Black. [Sam Graham, Amazon com]


Product Description:

When looking back on the amazing career of Johnny Cash it is difficult to imagine that at one point his larger-than-life alter ego the "Man In Black" did not exist. The song was written and debuted in 1971 as Cash's response to all of the ills he saw in the world at the time. By that time the Johnny Cash Show - the group that included June Carter Cash The Carter Family Carl Perkins The Tennessee Three and The Statler Brothers were worldwide superstars touring the globe playing sold out shows and making TV appearances in most countries. One such appearance (from Denmark) is captured here and beautifully remastered for the first time on DVD. Featuring Johnny's biggest hits like "I Walk The Line" "Folsom Prison Blues" and "A Boy Named Sue" as well as his then-current songs Man In Black: Johnny Cash Live In Denmark 1971 documents Johnny in his absolute prime.

Track Listing:

1. A Boy Named Sue ~ Johnny Cash
2. Sunday Morning Comin' Down ~ Johnny Cash
3. I Walk the Line ~ Johnny Cash
4. Blue Suede Shoes ~ Carl Perkins
5. Matchbox ~ Carl Perkins
6. Me and Bobby McGee ~ Johnny Cash
7. I Guess Things Happen That Way ~ Johnny Cash
8. Bed of Roses ~ The Statler Brothers
9. Flowers on the Wall ~ The Statler Brothers
10. Folsom Prison Blues ~ Johnny Cash
11. Darlin' Companion ~ Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
12. If I Were a Carpenter ~ Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
13. Help Me Make It Through the Night ~ Johnny Cash & June Carter Cash
14. Man in Black ~ Johnny Cash
15. Introduction to the Carter family
16. A Song To Mama ~ The Carter Family & Johnny Cash
17. No Need to Worry ~ Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, The Carter Family & The Statler Brothers
18. Rock of Ages ~ Johnny Cash, The Carter Family & The Statler Brothers
19. Children, Go Where I Send Thee ~ Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, The Carter Family & The Statler Brothers

The year 1971 was a banner year for Johnny Cash. He was at the top of his game. He'd just wrapped production on the second and final year of ABC's The Johnny Cash Show, won his sixth Grammy (for "If I Were A Carpenter" with June), and the year saw the release of what of course became his theme song, "Man in Black," which went to #3 on the country charts. He was also with what arguably must have been the greatest country music touring show of all time. This disc captures some of that magic.

This previously unreleased live show was recorded in a television studio in Denmark before a small and appreciative audience in 1971, and was shown on Danish television. It hasn't been seen since, until this wonderful release. Featuring the entire Johnny Cash touring show - the Tennessee Three, the Carter Family, the Statler Brothers, and Carl Perkins - this tightly filmed, terrific little DVD takes us back to Johnny Cash at the very peak of his popularity. He looked good and sounded great as he took over the small stage with all the power of his personality, just his guitar and his iconic voice, thundering out "Boy Named Sue" with that sparkle in his dark eyes and a slight grin on his face, obviously happy to be exactly where he was doing exactly what he was doing - entertaining folks. It was at this time that Cash began the gradual but inevitable transformation from mere performer to legend. He was on his way to becoming "The Man in Black," the voice and face of country music for many people around the world - but not yet. Here he's just happy to be in front of an audience, and delighted to share his music with people who want to hear it.

Wearing his signature black and performing on a very spare stage with the Tennessee Three (Marshall Grant on bass, W.S. Holland on drums, and Bob Wootton on guitar), Cash launches immediately from a self-censored version of "Boy Named Sue" into "Sunday Morning Comin' Down," and the music doesn't stop. He pauses a few places to speak briefly to the audience - including reading a prepared statement in a Scandinavian tongue (Cash himself mentions Swedish later when talking to June, but since it's in Denmark, it may have been Danish) - then introduces his touring show, beginning with Carl Perkins, who performs "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Matchbox." Later The Statler Brothers join Cash on stage for a few songs, reminding me anew how much I loved the original classic Statlers (I realize Lew DeWitt has been gone for a long time, but they always sounded more like the Statlers when he was with them), singing "Bed of Roses" and "Flowers On The Wall." Johnny then introduces June for a couple of duets, including their brand-new Grammy winner "If I Were A Carpenter."

With most of his show on stage now, Cash sings his newest single, "Man in Black," before making a powerful introduction of the Carter Family (Mother Maybelle, Helen and Anita), with a strong note of pride in his voice as he mentions how pleased he is to have Maybelle for a mother-in-law. I think this was the first time I'd ever seen actual film footage of Mother Maybelle - at least, that I can remember (I'm sure I must have seen her when I was a child). She looks elegant, old-world (of course, like all country music women of the 70's, they're in formal long gowns - I miss those), a little fragile but her voice is strong. Together the Carters perform an instrumental (which is not credited separately), then the girls sing "A Song To Mama," with Cash joining in on the spoken verse. For the finale, the entire show revue gets together for a rousing series of gospel songs, closing out with a powerful and fun version of "Children, Go Where I Send Thee." It's clear Cash is enjoying himself, and his good cheer seems to overflow all over the stage to all the other performers as well as the audience. The show is of course an early 70's time capsule - hair, costumes, film stock - but it's wonderful to see, and a delight from start to finish. [5 stars out of 5. countrymusic.about.com]

"Let Me Send Thee…".

I was surprised to find at my local Barnes & Noble the live Johnny Cash DVD, "Man In Black: Live In Denmark 1971". A little gasp of excitement took my breath away & a zing of electricity ran up and down my spine, when I first saw the title. The number 1971 were what really popped out and held my attention. Johnny Cash and his music are like a fine wine. While it rarely disappoints, there are certain years, that you are constantly on the lookout for. And 1971 was a very good year for Mr. Cash and his music. This was a period where career-wise, Johnny Cash was pretty much "on top of the world". He had a number of creative singles at the top of the C&W charts, numerous music awards and was currently hosting a successful music-variety, television show. He truely was at the top of his game. With anticipation I put this DVD on and happily found myself not disapointed at all! "Man in Black: Live in Denmark 1971" is the taping of a music performance for Danish television in front of a small, live audience. At 60 minutes it's short and concise, but the performances are wonderful! Cash, his band and all his guest performers are in top form. It's like seeing a well oiled engine running on all cylinders. The format reminds me a lot of the recently released CD of a 1969 live performance "Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden", but on a smaller, more intimate scale. First we get Johnny and the Tennessee Three. Then one by one we are treated to the considerable talents of Carl Perkins ("Blue Suede Shoes"), the Statler Brothers ("Flowers on the Wall"), June Carter Cash ("If I Were a Carpenter","Darling Companion") and finally the 'first family of country music', the Carter Family("No Need to Worry"). How can you go wrong with this much talent on one stage? The show's set list is quite good. It's an interesting mix of both signature songs ("A Boy Called Sue", "Folsum Prison Blues") and material that might not be as well known ("A Song To Mama"). While there are plenty of commercial hits, it seems like this particular show goes towards the more spiritual side of Cash's music.This is most evident in the show's big finale, when all the performers take a turn on a rousing version of the gospel number, "Children, Go Where I Send Thee". During this song the whole group goes into a jam that gets your toes a tappin' and takes you to just another place! It's like lightning in a bottle. It's that good! Out of all Johnny Cash's live DVD releases so far, this is one of the best! The remastering of both the DVD's picture & sound are both excellent. Makes it hard to believe this program is over thirty years old. If you are a fan of Johnny Cash or just a fan of good music in general, I would highly recommend "Man In Black: Live In Denmark 1971! [Amazon user review]


***


The Finest Johnny Cash Concert Dvd available.

When this DVD, "Man In Black: Live In Denmark" was recorded in 1971, Johnny Cash was at his popular peak. Having his famous prison recordings top the charts just a few years earlier, Johnny was riding high with a weekly hit TV series and a number one record with "A Boy Named Sue". This concert taped in front of a small Danish TV audience is nothing short of phenominal. It far outshines his other concert DVD's "Live From Austin", and "Live from Montreux". The sound quality is great, and the musicianship displayed by his band is top flight. Johnny is in fine voice on such classics as "Folsom Prison Blues", "A Boy Named Sue", "I walk The Line", "Me And Bobby Mcgee" and "Sunday Mornin' Comin Down". This 19 song set also features Guitarist Carl Perkins blazing through his classic "Blue Suede Shoes". The Statler brothers are on hand to sing back-up and are wonderful singing perfect harmony on one of their signature songs "Flowers On The Wall". June Carter is on hand with the Carter family, as she sings three duets with her husband Johnny, most notably "If I Were A Carpenter", and "Help Me Make It Through The Night". The concert ends with some rousing gospel numbers "Rock Of Ages" and a showstopper of a tune "Children, Go Where I Send Thee" which features Johnny, Carl Perkins, June Carter and The Statler Brothers, all singing some good time country gospel that immediately catches the viewers attention. It is ironic that on the day this Dvd was released, 35 years later, the late Johnny Cash has the number one cd in America with his American recordings 'A Hundred Highways", vol-5. In my eyes, Johnny Cash has long surpassed Hank Williams, as country musics all-time icon. [Amazon user review]


***


A great snapshot of Cash's early '70s roadshow.

This is a great time capsule of the Johnny Cash show, circa 1971, when he had just adopted the "Man In Black" persona, wherein he declared his solidarity with the trampled and downtrodden. Politics don't figure that prominently in this performance, which was taped live on a Danish TV show, but Cash's tried-and-true country roadshow/revue offers plenty of fascinating historical highlights. Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins was working as Cash's guitarist, and Johnny gives him an early cameo… The Statler Brothers step forward as well, with muttonchops and hippie-ish hair, to sing "Flowers On The Wall" (what else?) and throw on some nice harmonies. June Carter Cash dominates the middle of the show, singing solos and choppy duets with Johnny, and then she introduces the late-era Carter Family, with Mother Maybelle, and sisters Anita and Helen, and they get the biggest response of the night, especially when June cranks up the volume with a shamelessly corny, sentimental homage to Mother Maybelle. The ever-earnest Danes, who sat at polite but rapt attention the whole time, go nuts for the goofily staged tribute, and it proves a rousing close to the show. Of course, there's Johnny Cash, too, and while he's super-laidback he also connects with the audience and with his songs, championing modern songwriters such as Kris Kristofferson (with three songs, including the then-scandalous "Sunday Morning Coming Down") and really hitting it home with his newly-minted personal anthem, "The Man In Black," which still packs a wallop today. The production values and pacing are quite modest, but that's mostly because that's how TV looked and felt back then (I remember) and if you want an accurate look at what Cash's act was like back then, this is a great video to check out. [Amazon user review]