When Johnny Cash passed away on September 12, 2003 he had managed the curious feat of being inducted to both the Country Music Hall of Fame (1980) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1992). Give it a little time and they’ll be a Hip Hop Hall of Fame and Mr. Cash will be included there as well because probably, as I write this, some rapper somewhere is thinking about sampling the Man in Black’s boom chicka boom beat. That is how influential this one singular soul has been to face of American music.
Since Cash’s death, the music world has been falling all over itself to honor this legendary singer/songwriter. Universal Music Enterprises entry into the high stakes “we love Johnny” game is a compilation 21 track CD called The Legend of Johnny Cash. At first I was skeptical that only 21 tracks (and a single disc) could in anyway scratch the surface of the music icon’s decade’s long career, but I was pleasantly surprised. In fact, if you’re curious as to what all the fuss is about and why the name Johnny Cash seems to be on everybody’s lips these days, look no further!! This is a great introduction to the man and his music.
Besides being known for his deep booming voice and chugging guitar style, Cash was also a great songwriter and his best are included. “Folsom Prison Blues” and the more countrified “Walk the Line” are about as iconic as you can get when it comes to American music. Also included are some of the music master’s early tunes such as “I’ve Got Rhythm” and “Cry, Cry, Cry” which show off his soulful rock n’ roll roots. Cash started out playing Rock n’ Roll and he came full circle by covering the Nine Inch Nails’ tune “Hurt”, which is also included in this compilation, to critical and commercial acclaim near the end of his life.
Johnny Cash was also the kind of artist that wasn’t afraid to give a leg up to his fellow musicians. In this collection, is a great sample of the famous songs he recorded by some of the days (and any days) best songwriters. His recording of Kris Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” was instrumental in making the career of the younger singer/songwriter. Of course, there’s also the novelty song “A Boy Named Sue” by Shel Silverstein of A Light in the Attic fame. The choice to include a live version of “Sue” is a good one. A song like this one benefits from the ability of the performer and the audience to chuckle along together. For a look at Johnny Cash, the innovator, listen to the bravado opening of the June Carter and Merle Kilgore penned tune “Ring of Fire”. Never before, and perhaps never since, would anyone have dared to use a trumpet in a country song, but he did and it makes the song instantly take flight.
If you’re just building your Cash collection, this a great way to start. You’ll be introduced to the many sides of the Man in Black - the rock n’ roller, the spiritual singer, the country legend and even as a duet partner willing to take a backseat to wife June Carter on their sassy song “Jackson”. After you wear this disc out, don’t hesitate to upgrade to a full box set!! |