Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden
Encyclopedia
Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden is an album by Johnny Cash
that was recorded in December 1969 at Madison Square Garden
in New York City
, but which was not released until 2002.
The CD was recorded just 4 months after Cash's seminal At San Quentin
was released, which is probably why it was not released soon after its recording. As with all Cash live shows of this period, he was backed up by the Tennessee Three
, which consisted of W.S. Holland, Marshall Grant
and Bob Wooton. Also joining Cash on stage were the Statler Brothers
, Carl Perkins
and the Carter Family
. Noticeably absent from the show was Cash's wife June Carter Cash
, who was home pregnant with their son John Carter Cash
.
As with most Cash shows, the genres covered ran the gamut from country music
to rockabilly
to even some folk rock. Similarly to "Johnny Cash At San Quentin", Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden includes numbers performed by Perkins, the Statlers and the Carters while Johnny was offstage. During this particular show, however, Cash introduced his father Ray and also Shel Silverstein
, who wrote Cash's biggest pop hit, "A Boy Named Sue
".
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
that was recorded in December 1969 at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, but which was not released until 2002.
The CD was recorded just 4 months after Cash's seminal At San Quentin
At San Quentin
At San Quentin is a recording of a live concert given by Johnny Cash to the inmates of San Quentin State Prison. As well as being released on record the concert was filmed by Granada Television....
was released, which is probably why it was not released soon after its recording. As with all Cash live shows of this period, he was backed up by the Tennessee Three
Tennessee Three
The Tennessee Three was the backing band for country music and rockabilly singer Johnny Cash for nearly 25 years, until Cash's reorganizing of the group and naming it The Great Eighties Eight in 1980....
, which consisted of W.S. Holland, Marshall Grant
Marshall Grant
Marshall Garnett Grant was the upright bassist and electric bassist of singer Johnny Cash's original backing duo, the Tennessee Two, in which Grant and electric guitarist Luther Perkins played. The group became known as The Tennessee Three in 1960, with the addition of drummer W. S. Holland...
and Bob Wooton. Also joining Cash on stage were the Statler Brothers
Statler Brothers
The Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia.Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen...
, Carl Perkins
Carl Perkins
Carl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
and the Carter Family
Carter Family
The Carter Family was a traditional American folk music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, pop and rock musicians as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s. They were the first vocal group to become country...
. Noticeably absent from the show was Cash's wife June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash
Valerie June Carter Cash was an American singer, dancer, songwriter, actress, comedienne and author who was a member of the Carter Family and the second wife of singer Johnny Cash...
, who was home pregnant with their son John Carter Cash
John Carter Cash
John Carter Cash is an American Country music-singer, author, songwriter and producer. He is the only son of Johnny and June Carter Cash.-Biography:...
.
As with most Cash shows, the genres covered ran the gamut from country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
to rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
to even some folk rock. Similarly to "Johnny Cash At San Quentin", Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden includes numbers performed by Perkins, the Statlers and the Carters while Johnny was offstage. During this particular show, however, Cash introduced his father Ray and also Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein
Sheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
, who wrote Cash's biggest pop hit, "A Boy Named Sue
A Boy Named Sue
"A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and performed by Johnny Cash. Cash was at the height of his popularity when he recorded the song live at California's San Quentin State Prison at a concert on 24 February 1969. The concert was filmed by Granada Television for later...
".
Track listing
- "Big River" (J. Cash) – 2:21
- "I Still Miss Someone" (Cash, Roy Cash, Jr.) – 1:37
- "Five Feet High and Rising" (Cash) – 2:52
- "Pickin' Time" (Cash) – 2:36
- "Remember the AlamoRemember the Alamo (song)"Remember the Alamo" is a song written by Texan folk singer and songwriter Jane Bowers. Bowers details the last days of 180 soldiers at the Alamo and names several famous figures who fought at the Alamo, including Mexican general Santa Anna and Texans: Jim Bowie, William Barrett Travis and Davy...
" (Jane Bowers) – 2:48 - "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" (Ed McCurdyEd McCurdyEd McCurdy was an American folk singer, songwriter, and television actor. His anti-war classic, "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream" , inspired and gave hope to those in the peace movement.-Career:...
) – 3:04 - "Wreck of the Old 97" (Arranged by Cash, Norman George Blake, Robert Johnson) – 2:14
- "The Long Black Veil" (Danny DillDanny DillHorace Eldred Dill , known professionally known as Danny Dill, was an American country music singer and songwriter...
, Marijohn WilkinMarijohn WilkinMarijohn Wilkin , née Melson, was an American songwriter, famous in the country music genre for writing a number of hits. Wilkin won numerous awards over the years and was referred to as "The Den Mother of Music Row," as chronicled in her 1978 biography from Word Books--Lord, Let Me Leave a Song...
) – 3:01 - "The Wall" (Harlan HowardHarlan HowardHarlan Perry Howard was a prolific American songwriter, principally in country music. In a career spanning six decades, Howard wrote a large number of popular and enduring songs, recorded by a variety of different artists...
) – 1:09 - "Send a Picture of Mother" (Cash) – 2:36
- "Folsom Prison BluesFolsom Prison Blues"Folsom Prison Blues" is the title of a song written and recorded by American country music artist Johnny Cash. The song combines elements from two popular folk genres, the train song and the prison song, both of which Cash would continue to use for the rest of his career...
" (Cash) – 3:35 - "Blue Suede ShoesBlue Suede Shoes"Blue Suede Shoes" is a rock and roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955 and is considered one of the first rockabilly records and incorporated elements of blues, country and pop music of the time...
" (C. Perkins) – 3:13 (Carl PerkinsCarl PerkinsCarl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
) - "Flowers on the WallFlowers on the Wall"Flowers on The Wall" is a song made famous by country music group The Statler Brothers. Written and composed by the group's original tenor, Lew DeWitt, the song peaked in popularity in January 1966, spending four weeks at No. 2 on the Billboard magazine Hot Country Singles chart, and reaching No....
" (L. DeWitt) – 2:32 (The Statler BrothersStatler BrothersThe Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia.Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen...
) - "Wildwood FlowerWildwood Flower"Wildwood Flower" is an American song, best known through performances and recordings by the Carter Family. However, the song predates them. The original title was "I'll Twine 'Mid the Ringlets"...
" (A.P. Carter) – 3:45 (The Carter Family) - "Worried Man BluesWorried Man Blues"Worried Man Blues" is a folk song in the roots music repertoire. Like many folks songs passed by oral tradition, the lyrics vary from version to version, but generally all contain the chorus "It takes a worried man to sing a worried song/It takes a worried man to sing a worried song/I'm worried...
" (A.P. Carter) – 1:40 (The Carter Family) - "A Boy Named SueA Boy Named Sue"A Boy Named Sue" is a song written by Shel Silverstein and performed by Johnny Cash. Cash was at the height of his popularity when he recorded the song live at California's San Quentin State Prison at a concert on 24 February 1969. The concert was filmed by Granada Television for later...
" (Shel SilversteinShel SilversteinSheldon Allan "Shel" Silverstein , was an American poet, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, cartoonist, screenwriter and author of children's books. He styled himself as Uncle Shelby in his children's books...
) – 4:25 - "Cocaine BluesCocaine Blues"Cocaine Blues" is a Western Swing song written by T. J. "Red" Arnall, a reworking of the traditional song "Little Sadie". This song was originally recorded by W. A. Nichol's Western Aces on the S & G label, probably in 1947, and by Roy Hogsed and the Rainbow Riders May 25, 1947, at Universal...
" (T.J. Arnall) – 1:57 - "Jesus was a Carpenter" (C. Wren) – 3:40
- "The Ballad of Ira HayesThe Ballad of Ira Hayes"The Ballad of Ira Hayes" was written by folk singer Peter La Farge. It tells the story of Ira Hayes, one of the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman who became famous for having raised the flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima of World War II....
" (Pete LaFarge) – 3:11 - "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow" (LaFarge) – 3:50
- "Sing a Traveling Song" (K. JonesKenneth JonesKenneth Jones , was the son of Helen Myrl Carter and of Glenn Jones. He is best remembered for a song he wrote called "Sing A Traveling Song" which appeared on Johnny Cash's albums Hello, I'm Johnny Cash and Johnny Cash at Madison Square Garden. Kenneth was Cash's nephew-in-law...
) – 3:30 - "He Turned the Water into Wine" (Cash) – 3:16
- "Were You There (When They Crucifed My Lord)" (Traditional, Arranged by Cash) – 4:16
- "Daddy Sang Bass" (Carl Perkins) – 2:15
- "Finale Medley" – 4:45:
- "Do What You Do, Do Well" (N. Miller) (Tommy Cash & Johnny Cash)
- "I Walk the LineI Walk the Line"I Walk the Line" is a song written by Johnny Cash and recorded in 1956. It was performed with the help of Marshall Grant and Luther Perkins, two mechanics that his brother introduced him to following his discharge from the Air Force. Cash and his wife, Vivian, were living in Memphis, Tennessee,...
" (Cash) (The Carter Family) - "Ring of FireRing of Fire (song)"Ring of Fire" or "The Ring of Fire" is a country music song popularized by Johnny Cash and co-written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore. The single appears on Cash's 1963 compilation album, Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash...
" (Cash, M. Kilgore) (The Statler Brothers) - "Folsom Prison Blues" (Cash) (Carl Perkins)
- "The Rebel - Johnny Yuma" (R. Markowitz, A. Fenady)
- "Folsom Prison Blues" (Cash)
- "Suppertime" (I. F. StanphillIra StanphillIra Forest Stanphill was a well-known American gospel songwriter of the mid-twentieth century. Stanphill was born in Belleview, New Mexico....
) – 2:55
Personnel
- Johnny Cash - vocal, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Carter FamilyCarter FamilyThe Carter Family was a traditional American folk music group that recorded between 1927 and 1956. Their music had a profound impact on bluegrass, country, Southern Gospel, pop and rock musicians as well as on the U.S. folk revival of the 1960s. They were the first vocal group to become country...
- vocals - Carl PerkinsCarl PerkinsCarl Lee Perkins was an American rockabilly musician who recorded most notably at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, beginning during 1954...
- electric guitarElectric guitarAn electric guitar is a guitar that uses the principle of direct electromagnetic induction to convert vibrations of its metal strings into electric audio signals. The signal generated by an electric guitar is too weak to drive a loudspeaker, so it is amplified before sending it to a loudspeaker... - Marshall GrantMarshall GrantMarshall Garnett Grant was the upright bassist and electric bassist of singer Johnny Cash's original backing duo, the Tennessee Two, in which Grant and electric guitarist Luther Perkins played. The group became known as The Tennessee Three in 1960, with the addition of drummer W. S. Holland...
- bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick.... - W.S. Holland - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
- Bob WoottonBob WoottonBob Wootton is an American guitarist. He joined Johnny Cash's backing band, the Tennessee Three, after original lead guitarist, Luther Perkins, died in a house fire.- Biography :...
- electric guitar - The Statler BrothersStatler BrothersThe Statler Brothers were an American country music vocal group founded in 1955 in Staunton, Virginia.Originally performing gospel music at local churches, the group billed themselves as The Four Star Quartet, and later The Kingsmen...
- vocals - Tommy CashTommy CashTommy Cash, , is a singer-songwriter and younger brother of Johnny Cash.-Biography:Cash was born in Dyess, Arkansas, youngest of four sons and three daughters of Ray and Carrie Cash, and eight years after his brother, Johnny Cash. He formed his first band in high school. After high school...
- PA announcer, acoustic guitar, vocals
Additional Personnel
- Original Recording Produced by: Bob Johnston
- Produced for Release by: Al Quaglieri
- Mixed By: Thom Cadley at Sony Music Studios, New York
- Assistant Engineer: John Hill
- Edited and Mastered by: Darcy Proper at Sony Music Studios, New York
- Legacy A&R: Steve Berkowitz
- Project Designer: John Jackson
- A&R Coordination: Darren Salmieru
- Art Direction: Howard Frizson
- Design: Roxanne Slimark
Chart performance
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums | 39 |