While I am not generally a tribute band person, as I love the artistry of a person baring their soul and performing newly written material, but there are several exceptions and Church of Cash is one of them. They perform an entire show of tunes Johnny Cash did, including a few covers that Cash did, such as the “Theme To Bonanza” (yes, there are actually words to that iconic TV show theme) and “I Won’t Back Down,” the Tom Petty classic. Unlike many tribute acts, this is not a note for note recreation, but instead, their own interpretation of those songs with rhythm guitarist/vocalist, Jay Ernest Kalk, changing words and instrumentation on the fly, depending on the audience with songs like “Orange Blossom Special” using two harmonicas to replicate the fiddle parts perfectly. Lead guitarist, straight from Italy, Diego Geraci, punctuated the songs with tasteful fills and solos, and even took the mic for a couple of songs, including, “Nel ‘Blu Di’Pinto Di ‘Blu” otherwise know as “Volare.” Drummer, Jonathon TeBeest, laid down a solid beat in sync with bassist Nic Johnson, with both singing harmony throughout the set.
It’s hard to pick out a highlight for the show, as the entire night could fit that bill, but a fun moment was when Kalk was having some banter with a patron who had a birthday and stepped aside and told the audience member that Geraci would write a song to her called “Bonny Boogie.” As Geraci walked to the middle of the stage, he ripped into a blistering instrumental, with the rest filling in behind him.
A few other covers that Cash had done, and were performed were a song Cash did as a duet with Waylon Jennings called “There Ain’t No Good Chain Gang” with Johnson filling in the Jennings part. Another cover was Neil Diamond’s “Solitary Man.” Geraci took the mic once again for the Jim & Jesse classic “Truck Drivin’ Man.” Of course, there had to be an obligatory audience participation and while so many Cash songs are part of everyone’s lexicon, they chose “Ring Of Fire” and the crowd did their job to a tee. Finishing off the night, everyone laid down their instruments, with Geraci picking up Kalk’s guitar for an acoustic version of Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” garnering a standing ovation from the appreciative, and knowledgeable audience.
Daryl’s House Club, opened in the former Town Crier in Pawling NY, is owned by Hall & Oates namesake, Daryl Hall. Starting as a YouTube show, Live At Daryl’s House, where performers would stop by and record a video with Hall, he realized that others may be happy to watch these shows, he opened the place (and yes, he does occasionally show, when we saw Dick Dale perform, Hall was there). Every show I’ve been to there has been packed and this show was no different. There wasn’t a table empty with the standing room areas also full. This was the third time Chuch Of Cash performed there and each time the place was full and growing (we were there for all three). This is a band, and a venue pairing not to be missed.
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