Johnny Cashbox
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Johnny Cashbox is the alias of Ralph Morse (actor). Cashbox is a country music tribute to the legendary Johnny Cash and features all the hits, "Folsom Prison Blues", "Ring of Fire", "Walk The Line", "Boy Named Sue" etc.
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[edit] Ralph Morse alias Johnny Cashbox with Martin D16
Johnny Cashbox : Country Music Baritone
Instruments : Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Synthesiser, Banjo, Mandolin, Harmonica, Cimbala and programming.
Until September 2003 interpretations of original J R Cash songs and covers associated with the "Man In Black" formed only part of Morse's repertoire under the guise of "Outlaw". Following Johnny Cash's death on 12th he started receiving bookings for an act centred specifically on the late country icon. In an interview of June 22nd 2007, Morse was at pains to point out that his are interpretations, not impersonations.
"Johnny Cash was a unique and wonderful artist, who to me personifies in all the positive ways what it means to be an American. We each have our own struggles and I can identify with his empathy for the unvoiced and disadvantaged, but possess neither his vocal tone or physical appearance. Rather I hope to capture something of the essence of what Johnny Cash symbolises; if you like by paying homage to a great artist rather than trying to copy his work slavishly."[1]
The same approach applies to instrumentation. Johnny Cash is an acoustic player generally associated with Martin Acoustics. Cashbox plays a mixture of rhythm and lead and alternates between a Martin acoustic and Fender telecaster. Although the Martin guitar featured in the picture has a natural finish, Cashbox's current acoustic of choice is "Shadowulf" a black cutaway model. [2]
The act also includes audience requests for material not associated with the country music genre but performed in a Johnny Cash style; such as "Rehab", "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Honky Tonk Women" being just a few examples [3]
On 16th November 2007, Cashbox performed original material written for "Who Is Leonard Jones?" at the world premiere of the play at the Headgate Theatre, Colchester, England.[4] In an intriguing juxtaposition of the real and imaginary, the Leonard Jones of the play is at one point reading a newspaper that carries a free DVD of Johnny Cashbox, (his late wife's favourite singer), causing him to comment despairingly on the singer's choice of black outfit, hat and guitar.[5]
[edit] Trivia
Johnny Cash is not the first musician Morse has portrayed. He appeared in the cameo role of John Lennon in the BBC TV drama, "Bobby Wants To Meet Me" [6]
[edit] Discography
The Journeyman (Collection) - As The Delegation (with Chris Twigg on lead guitar and Andy Snelling on bass guitar) (Studio 7 Recordings 7003)(August 1982)(Cassette Only)[7]
The Delegation In View (Documentary Video) ("The Man" Productions (TMWAC003) (1982)(VHS) [8]
(The Delegation folded as a unit in 1984 and until resurfacing as "Outlaw" in 2003, Ralph performed live and recorded both as a solo artist and band leader variously as : "Howling Mad Morse" (solo); "Chaos '64" (band); "Apollo-Dionysus" (solo); "The Coven Club" (band) and "Polarity" (duo)"). [9]
A Man Called Morse (As Ralph "Outlaw" Morse") [10]
Man In Black (As Johnny Cashbox) [11]
281006 (Live In Colchester) (As Johnny Cashbox) [12]
[edit] Sources
- ^ Journalist Robert Williams Interview with Dr Ralph Morse held in the grounds of Colchester Castle 22nd June 2007
- ^ Specifically Martin DCXE black cutaway with Prefix Pro pre-amp
- ^ Audio clips at Dr Ralph Morse website
- ^ Original annotated playscript and narrative songs written by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 2007)
- ^ Premiere performance of "Who Is Leonard Jones?" at the Headgate Theatre, Friday 16th November 2007.
- ^ "Bobby wants To Meet Me" imdb page
- ^ The Original cassette only issue of "The Journeyman Collection" featuring rehearsal, live and remixed studio recordings. All songs written by Ralph G. Morse (copyright 1987)
- ^ Recording made during rehearsals at Studio 7, Blackheath, London in summer 1982, edited with additional interviews. (copyright Ralph G. Morse 1987)
- ^ Volumes of original Ralph G. Morse songs written for "Cause For Alarm", "Roger (A Busker)" and "The Delegation" (1972-1989); "Howling Mad Morse", "Chaos '64", Apollo-Dionysus", "The Coven Club" and "Polarity" (189-2003"; "Outlaw" and "Johnny Cashbox (2003 to date)
- ^ (English Outlaw Productions - EOP001) (2003)(CD) All original songs recorded entirely on a Vintage resonator
- ^ (English Outlaw Productions - EOP005) (2005) (CD) Composite album featuring solo and band recordings made 2003-2005
- ^ (English Outlaw Productions - EOP007 (2006)(CD)Live in Colchester includes recordings made in Chelmsford and in Brentwood and in edited form some tracks are used for the sampler sent to clubs and organisations
[edit] Links
- Johnny Cashbox webpage at RalphMorse.com
- Johnny Cashbox audio and video clips
- Who Is Leonard Jones song audio clips
- Age Concern Colchester web-site
- Ralph Morse at the Internet Movie Database (imdb)
- David Ash's Review of the Coven Club at the Conway Hall, London in May 2000 and featuring image of band
