The Johnny Cash Story review

SoGlos.com joined the crowds at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury for an outstanding tribute to Johnny Cash courtesy of seasoned performer Roger Dean.

When the SoGlos.com team heard that a Johnny Cash tribute band was coming to town, they joined a league of other county fans in snapping up tickets for the one-night-only performance at The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury.

The Saturday night show soon came around and, as fans of the legendary country music performer took their seats, tension mounted while whispers of ‘Do you think he’ll look like him?’ and ‘I wonder if he’ll sound anything like Cash?’ filled the room.

Questions were answered when the curtains opened to reveal a clad-in-black Roger Dean, accompanied by band members David Boldero, Bengy Howell and Ollie Krol making up The Lazy Boys, breaking into a triumphant rendition of Cash’s best-known numbers.

For the next couple of hours fans were taken on a whirlwind tour of Johnny Cash’s life and musical repertoire, with a plethora of numbers including ‘I Walk The Line’, ‘Get Rhythm’, ‘Folsom Prison Blues’, ‘Five Feet High and Rising’ and ‘The Ballad of Ira Heyes’ interjected with authentic storytelling magic care of Dean’s deep, husky tones.

Highlights of the night included the lead performer’s hints towards Cash’s on-stage presence with the occasional raising of the shoulders and using his guitar to mimic shooting fellow band members, while tributes to tracks ‘A Boy Named Sue’, ‘One Piece At A Time’ and ‘Delia’s Gone’ proved particularly notable.

Throughout the night it became apparent that, rather than attempting to mimic the great Johnny Cash, the band had developed their own style over the years, treating Gloucestershire audiences to a slick, tried and tested show which had taken in some of the world’s biggest cities. In fact, a reference to having played in ‘Hong Kong, New York and… Tewkesbury’ went down particularly well with The Roses Theatre audience, from the mature performer who had dedicated decades of his life to the music of Cash since first hearing him on the radio at the age of 12.

Roger Dean and The Lazy Boys should also be commended for laughing along with a few rowdy front row fans who might have enjoyed one too many moonshines, as well as keeping a straight face when a brave volunteer from the audience joined the professionals on stage for a duet of ‘Jackson’.

Whether you’re a hardened 20th century fan of Cash or discovered his music after watching the 2005 blockbuster Walk the Line starring Joaquin Phoenix, keep your eyes open for any Roger Dean reappearances in the county and indeed nationwide – you won’t be disappointed.

James Fryer
10 February 2008