Johnny was going through some hard times during the late 80's and early 90's. His career seemed headed in the same downward direction that many older country artists would be encountering. Determined to get back on top again, it was apparent that he had something to prove for this recording. Even though his later work with producer Rick Ruben would realize significant career success, his voice on these original masters shows him at the peak of his career. Just as good as Johnny's voice that evening is the impeccable recording captured on these tapes. You feel that you are in the room with them.
This was Johnny's first recording after a six month layoff. A dentist was trying to remove his tooth - subsequently breaking his jaw! On the tape June Carter explains that his jaw was wired shut for six months so he couldn't talk or sing (you can hear her state "I got to say all the things I wanted to say".) Some of this banter made it to the Great Lost Performance CD, however, most of it did not. Few people know that Johnny and June lived in Asbury Park, NJ for a while and actually led the mission towards restoring the city. These tapes contain June and Johnny encouraging the aduience to help with fixing up Asbury Park and even invited the audience for breaksfeat at their hotel. Johnny and June were truly sincere people that connected to audiences in a very personal way. You can hear it on these tapes.
Legendary guitarist Les Paul was scheduled to perform a song or two with Johnny that night. He became ill and couldn't make it. Along with Les, Lucy Clark was also scheduled to sing. Since the recording was multi tracked (24 separate recording tracks), Johnny told producer Clark Enslin to see about putting Les and Lucy on the recording at a later date. Although Les was unable to make it, Lucy Clark did record two songs as requested by Johnny - "What is Man" and "Forty Shades of Green". Johnny still performed "Vaya Con Dios", the song he had been scheduled to perform with Les and Lucy. He and his band had worked up a special version for them, for that night. This may be the only version of "Vaya Con Dios" ever recorded by Johnny! It remains unreleased and on tape four of this collection.
After many years of trying to locate the tapes, producer Clark Enslin visited Johnny at his home in Tennessee to explain to Johnny that the tapes were missing. Johnny was not doing well health wise but expressed strong concern for finding the tapes. Johnny also told Enslin at the time of this recording "It was among my happiest of times." You can hear it in his voice!
The track by track recording isolates each person's performance. For example - on track seven you will hear only Johnny's voice and on track six you will hear only his guitar. It is extremely exciting to hear in "solo" mode, as you isolate each track. The recording was made at 30 inches per second (30ips) for the best quality. The tapes were also heat treated back in 2005 by Dreamhire Transfer Service of New York City. There are a total of three (3) tapes . Each tape comes in a rugged metal case which are ideal for storage and safe transportation. The tapes are being put up for auction on ebay by the same consortium that brought you the original master recording of Bob Dylan. The auction will be for the tape itself, not the intellectual property. We have links below for actual sound bites from these tapes. They include a short version (about 1-1/2 minutes), as well as a much longer ( about 7-1/4 minutes) one. Take a moment and enjoy Johnny Cash at his best. When the auction actually starts, the ebay link will take you there. This is truly American Musical History.
SITES:
SHORT VERSION (1.5MB) LONG VERSION (10.8MB) EBAY AUCTION
Tape -- Reel # 2 -Agfa, 2"-24 track, 14" dia., appox. 33 minutes, recorded @ 30ips
Reel # 3 -Ampex Grand Master 456, 2"-24 track, 14"dia., appox. 33 minutes, recorded @ 30ips
Reel # 4 -Ampex Grand Master 456, 2"-24 track, 14"dia.,appox. 33 minutes, recorded @ 30ips
Tape Player -- 2"- 24 track machine
Recording Date --July 28, 1990- Live at The Paramount Theatre, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Personnel-
Johnny Cash-Lead Vocal and Rhythm Guitar, Kerry Marx-Lead Guitar, John Carter Cash-Guitar and Vocals, Earl Poole Ball-Piano, Steve Logan-Upright Bass, W.S. Holland-Drums, June Carter Cash-Vocals, Anita Carter-Vocals, Helen Carter Jones-Vocals
Others-
Kooster McAllister-Engineer, Paul Prestopino-Tech Engineer, Skip Kent-Stage Manager, Fred Ridder-A2
Reel # 2- 1.Seven Bridges Road (Carter Sisters), 2.Come To The Church (Carter Sisters), 3.Lonesome Valley (Carter Sisters), 4. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Carter Sisters), 5.Instrumental Intro (Johnny Walks on Stage), 6. Ring Of Fire (J. Cash), 7.Life's Railway To Heaven (J. Cash), 8.Wonderfull Time Up There (J.Cash), 9.Folsom Prison Blues (J.Cash), 10.Sunday Morning Coming Down (J.Cash),
Reel # 3- 1.Folsom Prison Blues (J.Cash), 2.Sunday Morning Coming Down (J.Cash), 3.What Is Man (First recording and performance of this song, J.Cash), 4.This Thing Called Love (J.Cash), 5.Under The Double Eagle (Instrumental), 6.Ride This Train (J.Cash), 7. How High's The Water Mama? (J.Cash), 8.Pickin' Time (J.Cash), 9.Hey Porter (J.Cash), 10.Jesus In My Soul (J.Cash), 11.Ragged Old Flag (J.Cash), 12.Forty Shades Of Green (J.Cash), 13.Change In The Weather (J.Cash).
Reel # 4- 1.Forty Shades of Green (J.Cash), 2.Change In The Weather J. Cash-broken guitar string), 3.Tennessee Flattop Box (J.Cash), 4.Vaya Con Dios (J.Cash), 5. Ghost Riders In The Sky (J.Cash), 6.If I Were A Carpenter(J.Cash) , 7.Jackson (J.Cash, June C. Cash), 8.The Wreck Of Old '97 (J. Cash, June C. Cash), 9.I Walk The Line (J.Cash)
The successful purchaser of this Master Recording will own the possibilities that ownership brings. Click on Potential for further information.