Johnny Cash’s America – Special 2-disc set: Full-length documentary DVD + Soundtrack CD – Columbia/Legacy

by | Mar 10, 2009 | CD+DVD | 0 comments

Johnny Cash’s America – Special 2-disc set: Full-length documentary DVD + Soundtrack CD – Columbia/Legacy 8697-23401-2. DVD: 16:9 color, PCM stereo, narrated by Chris Cooper, 90:00 with 20:00 bonus material *****:

This is a lavish package with both a DVD of the highest quality and an 18-track CD that has several previously unreleased tracks and should add to any already-existing Cash collection. The documentary takes a different slant than others that have been done on the iconic singer and performer. It concentrates on Cash’s unique ability to reach all people at once, and how he carried his unifying vision thru a 50-year-long career.

The filmmakers previously received praise for their documentary “Respect Yourself: The Stax Records Story,” and they here bypass familiar elements in the life of the Man in Black (such as the relationship with June Carter) and bring together a wide range of celebrity and ordinary Americans to reflect on Johnny Cash’s  fascinating life.  They include Al Gore, Bob Dylan, Snoop Dogg, Sheryl Crow, John Mellencamp, Tim Robbins and many more. The film is sectioned into segments on his Faith, Protest, Freedom, Justice, Family, Patriotism, and so forth. I had forgotten that Cash had a very popular TV show of his own as well as appearing in several dramatic movies. Of course Cash moved beyond his country music base in many ways, but even if you’re not a country music fan, this film is just as required viewing as the fine recent feature film on Cash. The CD compilation also points up the wide variety of songs Cash wrote and performed in his deep strong voice with very basic accompaniment.

TrackList of CD:
1. Come Along And Ride This Train (previously unreleased)
2. Pickin’ Time
3. Five Feet High And Rising
4. Big River
5. Cry, Cry, Cry
6. All Of God’s Children Ain’t Free
7. Big Foot
8. Don’t Take Your Guns To Town
9. Folsom Prison Blues (live)
10. Singing In Vietnam Talkin’ Blues
11. What Is Truth (live) (previously unreleased)
12. Man In Black
13. Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)
14. Children, Go Where I Send Thee (live)(previously unreleased)
15. Ragged Old Flag
16. Song Of The Patriot
17. This Land Is Your Land (live) (previously unreleased)
18. I Am The Nation (previously unreleased)

— John Sunier

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