Johnny Cash at Town Hall Party

Rating:
Summary: GREAT CONTENT AUDIO MIX COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Review: I have been a fan of The MAN IN BLACK since the 50's. He has and is my hero for all time. This DVD unfortuately either due to the technology of the time, or just a rush to market is sad. Johnny Cash DESERVES BETTER THAN THIS. The mix was very noisy and not as balanced as one would hope. It was really special to see Luther who I believe has never been equalled since his passing and to see "ole shade tree" at work, especially the humor the man had. He was a super man. Anyway I just wished that engineers had the ability to try and "clean up" the audio and would've spent a little more time before this was realeased. I am happy it was released as vintage performances are priceless and this one is no exception. Johnny Cash is, in my opinion, one of the greatest performers of all time. The MASTER OF THE TRADE!

Rating:
Summary: This DVD is a revelation!!
Review: No fan of Johnny Cash can truly know him without this precious document of him performing at the height of his 50's popularity. This DVD is 2 COMPLETE unedited concerts that were broadcast live on the Town Hall Party show in 1958 and 1959. Unlike other DVD releases, this is music and just music: no voiceovers or incomplete songs. The video is sharp and the audio is on a par with other kinescopes of the time. This is a time capsule for the ages, giving us Johnny in his charismatic prime along with the great Tennesee Two: Marshall Grant on bass and Luther Perkins on lead guitar. Another terrific release from Bear Family Records of Germany.

Rating:
Summary: Classic early Johnny Cash!
Review: This DVD offers a rare, early look at Johnny Cash BEFORE the advent of his legendary "Man in Black" image, solidified later in the 1960s. Sure, these old Town Hall Party images and mono sound are archaic (to fault these "quirks" in kinescopes as being major critical factors is ridiculous) but very few people would ever find serious criticism of rare vintage TV performances of Elvis, Buddy Holly, or Patsy Cline which are just as primative! Bear Family offers this authentic footage probably how it was seen back in the late '50s. In my opinion, the historical musical significance surpasses the limited sonic/visual expectations anyone might have about footage that's well over 40 years old! To see a young Johnny Cash perform with the legendary Tennessee Two is worth twice the asking price of this DVD, while demonstrating why Cash was never bound by musical classification, even early in his career, as he offers up selections from his rockabilly, country, spiritual, pop, and folk catalog. More so than that, it provides a rare glimpse into the early days of a unique singer/songwriter who became a true musical legend.

Rating:
Summary: Classic early Johnny Cash!
Review: This DVD offers a rare, early look at Johnny Cash BEFORE the advent of his legendary "Man in Black" image, solidified later in the 1960s. Sure, these old Town Hall Party images and mono sound are archaic (to fault these "quirks" in kinescopes as being major critical factors is ridiculous) but very few people would ever find serious criticism of rare vintage TV performances of Elvis, Buddy Holly, or Patsy Cline which are just as primative! Bear Family offers this authentic footage probably how it was seen back in the late '50s. In my opinion, the historical musical significance surpasses the limited sonic/visual expectations anyone might have about footage that's well over 40 years old! To see a young Johnny Cash perform with the legendary Tennessee Two is worth twice the asking price of this DVD, while demonstrating why Cash was never bound by musical classification, even early in his career, as he offers up selections from his rockabilly, country, spiritual, pop, and folk catalog. More so than that, it provides a rare glimpse into the early days of a unique singer/songwriter who became a true musical legend.