Forum Theatre, Malvern – 18th January 2024
Reviewed by Courie Amado Juneau
5*****
The incomparable Johnny Cash Roadshow rolls into town again, this time on the Sin & Redemption Tour.
This show has so many hits that it would take the entire word count just to list all the songs that blew me away! The opening medley of “Big River”, “Hey Porter” and “The Wreck Of The Old 97” leading into “Man In Black” should tell you everything you need to know.
Clive John is an exceptional Cash. Channelling his spirit without doing an impression of the great man, he effortlessly hits all the right notes (both vocally and on guitar). He also delights with his own compositions, which sit comfortably among Cash’s wondrous jewels. And in Meghan he has the perfect partner as her resemblance to June is uncanny. They have a lovely onstage chemistry too, making duets like “Jackson” shine.
Meghan gave the band a chance to shine during “Jukebox Blues” with Richard (electric guitar), Simon (keys and trumpet), Martin (bass) and Alex (drums) all regaling us with rousing solos that were both short and sweet, displaying their immense musicianship.
One of my favourite Cash songs is “One Piece At A Time”, a lesser known hit but one well worth seeking out for the uninitiated. A real pleasure to hear it tonight. This also testifies to the range of the show, taking us through all eras and genres that Cash traversed; the show is naturally blessed with a depth of quality and interest that few other artists catalogues can match!
The first half ended on a sweet note as Clive’s daughter Isla performed a solo dance to one of her father’s songs “In A Whisper”. Very confident and happy on stage in front of a pretty sizable crowd, she rapidly became a firm crowd favourite. A very proud moment I’m sure for her father.
The show is highly emotional throughout and the video wall at the back, showing footage of the original protagonists, heightened this effect. “I Still Miss Someone”, one of the most gorgeous songs ever written, shows the power of country music; encompassing the full panoply of human existence, our communal journey. A beautiful, faithful rendition of “Hurt”, the last song released in Cash’s lifetime, is always very moving and was the emotional apex of the evening – made even moreso by the fantastic “strings” added from the keyboard.
I have seen this show for the last two years and it never fails to surprise – tonight’s was during the song “Ghost Riders In The Sky” during which I found myself between two people singing “Holte Enders In the Sky”. It transpired I had Aston Villa fans to the left (Scatty) and the right (Michael); this song being one of their many terrace chants. It shows how deep Cash’s music is embedded in our lives and how it’s power can make strangers sudden friends.
A finale including (naturally) “Ring of Fire” brought the evening to a rousing end, left us wanting more and humming our favourite tune on the way out to the foyer to congratulate the band on yet another triumphant musical night from all concerned. I cannot recommend Johnny Cash Roadshow highly enough and can’t wait till their next visit.