Johnny Cash's Orange Blossom PBS Special

Last night I had the good fortune to catch a PBS broadcast of Johnny Cash: The Man, His World, His Music, a 1969 documentary that gives a fascinating look at the Man in Black when he was probably the most popular recording artist on earth.

The film opens with a remarkable sequence of Cash hunting quail and accidentally clipping a crow on the wing. Walking back to his house with the crow in hand, he pledges to rehabilitate the crow, and on the spot, makes up a classic, haunting Cash tune along the lines of “If I could fly like a crow, then woman, I’d have to go.” Or something like that.

Elsewhere, we see JC on the road and on stage with his lovely wife June Carter Cash, visiting his hometown, jamming in the studio with new bud Bob Dylan, playing San Quentin, touring Wounded Knee with Native Americans and lending a hand to struggling songwriters.

Of course, we also hear many great Cash tunes: "Flesh and Blood," "Ring of Fire," "Folsom Prison Blues," "Orange Blossom Special," "Jackson," "Five Feet High and Rising." Songs as giant, mighty and sturdy as a redwood.

Watching the show, it occurred to me that The Man, His World, His Music was also source material for much of Cash’s 2001 video for “Hurt.” One of the only music videos that could be truly be called a work of art, the Mark Romanek-directed clip contrasted the force of nature that was Cash in his prime with the ravaged soul he became during his Rick Rubin-orchestrated comeback.

PBS tends to run things over and over again, so please consult your local listings. And understand your man.

Johnny Cash, “Hurt” American IV: The Man Comes Around


Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan, “One Too Many Mornings” The Ma His Music


Johnny Cash, "Orange Blossom Special" The Man, His World, His Music