Customer Reviews

The Great Lost Performance

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I own a lot of Johnny Cash music, and before you read on, you should know that I'd be wary to recommend anything new unless it was truly excellent. There are already too many re-packagings and compilations of Cash songs, and a fan could drown in the cheap compilations that relentlessly pop up. From time to time, though, a disk appears that really is special, and "The Great Lost Performance" is one of them. Recorded in the Summer of 1990 in Asbury Park New Jersey just before he began his collaboration with Rick Rubin for the "American Recordings" series, the show featured on this CD captures Johnny Cash in excellent form, with a classic lineup of musicians who know they are supporting a master. June Carter Cash is on hand, as is W.S. Holland, Cash's drummer of three decades. From start to end, he is relaxed and in a fine mood, telling stories of his family, sharing his personal beliefs (as a Christian and as an American) and bits of his own legacy with a relaxed grace that befits a legend.
I have heard many CD's of Johnny Cash performances, but this is easily among the best. Of course, nothing will rival the classic intensity of "Live at Folsom Prison" but even that show has a few ragged moments, and a few songs that fall short of being true classics (unless you think "Flushed from the Bathroom of Your Heart" is classic Cash). On "The Great Lost Performance," the song selection is stellar, veering from the obvious ("Folsom Prison Blues," "Five Feet High and Rising") to the sublimely beautiful ("I Walk the Line," "Tennessee Flat Top Box," plus an intense version of "Hey Porter"), and even a few surprises ("What Is Man," "Come Along and Ride This Train," and "The Wreck of the Old `97"). His choice of covers couldn't be improved on, either, featuring stellar versions of Kris Kristofferson's "Sunday Morning Coming Down," and "Ghost Riders in the Sky." Track for track, "The Great Lost Performances" is the most consistently great Johnny Cash concert I have heard. If you're a lifelong fan, you must buy this immediately. If you aren't, then you should buy it, too. A Tom Ryan

Songs written years before [Johnny is 58 at this performance]some of them from the 50's and original Sun recordings are richly realized here and thrilling to listen to. The Sun recordings [also available from Amazon] are a must to really appreciate Cash, but this recording adds another dimension to enjoying his work. A few songs were new to me, maybe the first time on CD. And the patter adds fun.

If you've been to the mountain-tops "At Folsom Prison" and "At San Quentin," this "lost" performance (taped on 28 July 1990 at Asbury Park [New Jersey]'s Paramount Theatre) may come somewhat as a let-down. The audience is predictably appreciative but not "wired"; JRC's performance is professional but lacking the kind of inspiration that live audiences usually sparked in him. It's a rather brief concert--just over 53 minutes--and the audio quality seems muddier to my ears than many records 20-30 years older than this. On the other hand, the song-selection is interesting, with a mix of oldest ("Hey Porter") and for that time newest ("What Is Man") and in between a good mix of standbys and unexepecteds ("Sunday Morning Coming Down"; "A Beautiful Life"). Also on hand are June Carter and sisters Anita and Helen, Lucy Clark, Fluke Holland, and, wicked on piano, Earl Poole Ball. The liner notes are spare and basic.

Bottom line: Except for when in the clutches of his demons, Cash was incapable of not entertaining. This performance, however long lost, is hardly "The Great." Compleatists like myself will still buy and enjoy it.

I own as much recordings of Johnny Cash as I've been able to get my hands on through the years. I've always thought that his LIVE performances were his best; Folsom, San Quentin, London Palladium (The "Strawberry Cake" album), Madison Square Garden, Austin,TX., Louisiana Heyride, Osteraker, etc. and seeing him perform live a dozen or more times are my favorite memories. This live performance in Asbury Park, N.J. is indeed a rare performance and a must have for ALL Johnny Cash fans and for those who are not. This concert includes performances of many songs that John rarely sang in concert. This is a real treat to hear him sing "Tennessee Flat Top Box","Life's Railway To Heaven" and more. For those of you who enjoyed his "Ride This Train" segment on the TV show, he performs one here. All in all John always poured his heart into his shows, like he once said at a concert in Shreveport, LA. when the audience was small due to poor weather, he'll give you his best rather they're in front of 50,000 fans or 500, he'll give you the same quality performance. In conclusion, if you like even one Johnny Cash song, you'll love this CD.

Unlike so many "live" CDs where Johnny Cash is heard doing the same set of songs from show to show, this CD gives a full rendering of Cash's gospel side...and features singers from his tour (and TV show) that you rarely hear on the other "live" discs.

Its a definate "Must Have" for those who enjoy hearing Johnny Cash step beyond the standard 8 or 10 songs we've all heard a thousand times!

I found this live performance to be quite different from the great performances like those given in Folsom and San Quentin that really drew me in and made me want more. This is more of a CD I could pull out of the stacks every month or so and have a listen. I can't say I was too crazy about the addition of what sounded like a saloon piano player. I felt it took away from the authenticity of the music, but this is just a personal preference. I can't say it undermined my appreciation for the performance altogether, which overall is enjoyable . This is a buy still worth it's current price (about 10 dollars at the time I write this). The most evident thing about this performance is that it demonstrated Johnny Cash's ability to put on a good show, even later in his life. You are sorely missed Mr. Cash.

This is a great live performance from the legendary Johnny Cash. This is right before he made an amazing comeback with the american recordings series; but he still sounds great. The song selection is very good with the band sounding real tight, this is during a time when Cash's regular lead guitarist, bob wooton wasn't with him, but his replacement kerry marx sounds pretty good. I don't like the solo on hey porter much, they shoulda kept it like it was. The in between song banter is awsome with Cash being humorous and interesting. Overall this is a good choice for the casuall fan or the diehard like me.

In 1959, I purchased my first Johnny Cash record. If anyone ever watched his weekly show, bought his music, they need this to complete their collection. Every selection took me down memory lane of the past 40 years. Buy it!!! you won't regret it!

This is a great performance by Johnny Cash. Anyone who loves his music should purchase it.

This is a fabulous album, poignant and inspiring quality. It is more of a studio quality recording with less of the audience energy as Folsom & San Quentin shows, but this is a prime selection of superb songs. I miss you Johnny.