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Johnny Cash Christmas Special 1978 (The)
R1 - America - Shout! Factory Review written by and copyright: James Teitelbaum (24th December 2008). |
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The Show
 The career of the legendary Johnny Cash, the Man in Black, follows an interesting inverted bell-curve. The high points are the first and last decades of his career. Between these eras is a rather deep low point. It all began in 1955, when Cash signed with Sam Phillips' Sun Records, and recorded an amazing string of classics including "Cry, Cry, Cry", "I Walk the Line", and "Don't Take Your Guns to Town". The hits continued into the next decade with tracks like "Ring of Fire". It all fell apart around 1968. That was the year that Cash kicked his drug habit, discovered Jesus, and married his second wife, June Carter. I don't want to point to any of these things as being responsible, but at that point Cash's music and career also started to diminish considerably. By the late 1970's, Cash was reduced to making Christmas specials for network television. However, it was in 1993 that hipster producer Rick Rubin recognized the talent, genius, and legacy of Johnny Cash, and repackaged the Man in Black to appeal to a new generation of fans, mainly people who had no prior interest in country music. For the next decade, until his 2003 death, Cash enjoyed his deserved status as both a founding father of modern country music and an icon of cool for a new generation of music fans. It was during his lull period, prior to his hipster resurrection, that Cash began doing Christmas specials. His December 6, 1978 show features Johnny and his family performing both Christmas songs and some of Cash's famous hits. He also has guests including Crystal Gayle and Kris Kristofferson singing some of their signature numbers, plus appearances from comedian Steve Martin. Musical numbers are mixed with banter from Cash (et al), and comedy from Martin. Interestingly, Martin - who was rising meteorically at the time - falls flat most of the time; he is anything but a "wild and crazy guy" here. And as for the music - well it isn't flat so to speak, but it also isn't particularly energetic. There is not enough truly bad material here to make this disc worth getting for camp factor, but there is not enough here that is truly good to make this DVD worth getting as a legitimate entry in the Cash cannon. Thus, it is recommended for serious and dedicated fans only.
Video
The aspect ratio is 1.33:1 full screen. The show was shot on videotape, but like the audio, it has been carefully preserved and looks about as good as a videotaped television show of this time period is going to look. Contrast is good, and the short running time ensures a minimum of compression artifacts. Running time is 48:31.
Audio
Audio is presented in the original television English Dolby Digital 1.0 mono. The sound mix is better than one might expect for the era. The musical arrangements and Cash's signature baritone voice are clear and free of the excessive hiss or distortion so often heard in vintage television. There are no optional subtitles on this disc.
Extras
There are no extras whatsoever.
Overall
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