✰ Brenda Lee / Johnny Cash ✰

A fun tête-à-tête from two legends. Brenda wails “Big Boss Man“, much to the delight of Johnny who weaves “Bad News“ into the mix. She sings the Jimmy Reed classic in a blues style reminiscent of Bessie Smith. And if you think she sounds a bit like Janis Joplin here, it’s because Joplin’s main influence was Smith. Johnny seems surprised at first, but soon he is almost dancing and he was not a man known for movement on stage. Looks like Johnny is getting a little mixed up in the second part. Repeating “everywhere I go“ and “Leaving little girls“ as he tries to find his timing. At around 2:07, he appears to think its the end and says “Miss Brenda, its...“, apparently about to say “nice to have you back“ when Brenda alertly interrupts “yea!“ and they get back on course. Show aired May 6, 1970.