Johnny Cash Concert: April 10, 1997

From: Monika Mueller (br3@aixterm1.urz.uni-heidelberg.de)

Guess Things Happen That Way --

While the Johnny Cash Show in Duesseldorf was enjoyable, it certainly was not one of the better Cash concerts that my dad and I have attended so far. Cash had a really bad cold and was quite out of sorts. It was plain to see and hear from the beginning that he felt miserable and probably did not very much enjoy the job he had to do that evening. After a very nervous and hurried rendition of Oh, Bury Me Not, he rallied and actually sounded fine for a few songs. Unfortunately, he did not get his voice back for the entire show and therefore his performance remained very uneven.

Due to the professionalism of his band and his family--everybody gave his/her best--the show was still a success. June Carter, who seemed healthy and fit and looked gorgeous in a very "citified" black suit (with a mini skirt!), saved the show for me with her Carter family originals. Earl Ball also did a very fine performance of Jerry Lee Lewis's Great Balls of Fire. Throughout the show, I kept thinking that Cash really wouldn't have needed the help of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Unchained. His own band has got a harder sound much that I find much more authentic.

The Duesseldorf audience was typical in its diversity for a German audience at a Johnny Cash concert: there were people from all age groups and from all walks of life. Nobody seemed to mind that Cash was rather indisposed and his songs were honored with the usual applause. Midway through the show, some parent (who must have been unafraid of cold germs) put a cute little three year old girl on the stage for Cash to kiss. To the side of the stage there even was something that looked like a small mosh pit.

The song selection was the usual. I would have liked more new and more obscure stuff (I hope somebody at the House of Cash might be reading this :-), but I suppose that many people prefer the Greatest Hits type material.

Here's the setlist:

Johnny Cash

• Folsom Prison Blues
• Ghost Riders
• Oh, Bury Me Not
• Unchained
• Country Boy
• Ring of Fire

Earl Ball

• Great Balls of Fire

Johnny Cash

• I Walk the Line
• Guess Things Happen That Way
• I Still Miss Someone
• Rusty Cage

Johnny Cash and John Carter

• Paradise

John Carter

• She Loves the Night
• You're Running Me Out of My Mind (correct title?)
• Georgia on a Fast Train
• Johnny B. Goode

Johnny Cash

• Medley (train video in the background):
• The Wreck of the Old 97
• City Jail
• Orange Blossom Special

Johnny Cash and June Carter

• Jackson
• If I Were a Carpenter

June Carter

• Wabash Cannonball
• Wildwood Flower
• Church in the Wildwood
• Lonesome Valley
• My Rock'n Roll Years
• Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Johnny Cash, June Carter, John Carter

• Daddy Sang Bass

Johnny Cash and June Carter

• Sunday Morning Coming Down
• Far Side Banks of Jordan

Johnny Cash

• Medley: San Quentin, The Wall, Long Black Veil
• Ira Hayes
• Southern Accents

Last update: May 21, 2004