This past weekend, I watched several new DVD releases. Two were so stunning that I recommend that every person who has any remote interest in the history of country music or the roots of rock and roll go out and buy or rent these titles. Seriously.
"Shakespeare was a Big Geoge Jones Fan: Cowboy Jack Clement's Home Movies"
Studio: Shout! Factory
Unrated
Retail: $19.98
This offbeat documentary details the life of music innovator, singer, songwriter, and record and film producer Cowboy Jack Clement (call him Cowboy), a living legend who, in 1956, changed the face of rock 'n' roll when he became an engineer and producer at Sun Records, where he worked with legendary Sam Phillips.
Honestly, my dad lived in Memphis for more than 20 years (the home of Sun). I'm a huge Sun Records fan and of the artists who have worked there. However, once this documentary started to roll, I quickly realized that I really had no idea of the breadth and scope of Cowboy's influence in just about any music anywhere that I believe is worth anything at all. This DVD was an education. And a fun one, at that.
This documentary is a Monty Python-esque collection of home movies and personal interviews, filled with quirky home-movie skits, Cowboy's hilarious one-liners and "rules of the studio," rehearsals and candid moments of goofy fun with stars from all genres, including Bono and Edge of the band U2.
There is footage of Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Charley Pride, Waylon Jennings, Hank Jr. and yes, George Jones. ... And more, including commentary on Cowboy's work with Elvis.
In the footage extras, we hear Cowboy explain how a hit song can be recorded in three minutes. He did just that in one take with Jerry Lee Lewis' "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Astounding.
He was also best friend to Cash, and discovered Lewis, Pride and Townes Van Vandt.
The film is released by a favorite outlet of mine, Shout! Factory, an impressive retro-culture label spawned by former employees of another one of my favorite labels, Rhino Records. (Pssst, Rhino is releasing a TON of cool, cool box sets this season. More on those soon.) Check out their Web sites for lots of cool pop culture music, television shows, cult classics, documentaries, box sets ...
Speaking of influential artists ... Shout! recently released two compilations of Johnny Rivers' ("Secret Agent Man") music. He will be performing this Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Tulsa State Fair. Read my interview with him in this weekend's Spot magazine!
Shout! Factory
Rhino Records
And speaking of Johnny Cash ...
The Johnny Cash Show: The Best of Johnny Cash 1969-1971
Studio: Sony Columbia Legacy / Reverse Angle Productions
Unrated
Retail: $39.98
This two-disc DVD set showcases the eclectic talents that Johnny Cash hand-picked to perform on his short-lived but very popular show -- some 66 performances from 58 episodes, from 1969-1971.
Yes, all of these shows were made before I was born. Which, for me, makes this collection invaluable in helping to define just what the era (and the Man in Black) was all about.
The guest list is as astonishing as it is unconventional (and features many mentioned in the DVD above): Neil Young, Derek and the Dominos, Bob Dylan, CCR, Stevie Wonder, Waylon, Carl Perkins, Charley Pride, Merle, Roy Orbison, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Jr., and the banter and performances of June Carter Cash.
There are many, many more, including a heart-rending performance by Cash with jazz legend Louis Armstrong. Ray Charles even performs a cover of Cash's "Ring of Fire."
There is also a one-CD compilation of these recordings available, as well.
Legacy Recordings
Columbia Records
