Johnny Cash

Item: The Legend of Johnny Cash
Author: Chaz Murphy

The Legend of Johnny Cash

(2005)

Reviewed by Chaz Murphy

Discogs YouTube

Label Universal Music / Sony BMGDecapolisDecember 2005

americana country rockabilly

Amazing! Just flat out amazing.

When I was at a very young age, my mom introduced me to one of her musical idols from when she was young. His name was Johnny Cash. Johnny Cash has been a huge part of my musical life and still continues to be after his death in 2003. I have gone through a number of "Best Of.." Johnny Cash albums through the years. I don't think any of them quite hit the target that Johnny Cash deserved. That was until I picked up the latest "Best Of.." Johnny Cash albums last week. The Legend Of Johnny Cash is the best one disc compilation of Johnny Cash's songs that you can find. It covers his long career in a way that no other album has ever captured. It starts off with his Sun Records classics and ends with his hits from his American Recordings days. Here is the song list and you can see for yourself.

1. Cry! Cry! Cry!
2. Hey Porter
3. Folsom Prison Blues
4. I Walk The Line
5. Get Rhythm
6. Big River
7. Guess Things Happen That Way
8. Ring Of Fire
9. Jackson - (with June Carter)
10. Boy Named Sue, A - (live and uncensored from San Quentin)
11. Sunday Morning Coming Down - (live)
12. Man In Black
13. One Piece At A Time
14. Highwayman - (with Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson)
15. Wanderer, The - (with U2)
16. Delia's Gone
17. Rusty Cage (Soundgarden cover)
18. I've Been Everywhere
19. Give My Love To Rose
20. Man Comes Around, The - (early take)
21. Hurt (Nine Inch Nails cover)

This is the best collection of one of America's best artists and storytellers. It goes hand in hand with the release of the amazing movie based off of his life, Walk The Line. Now don't get me wrong, there are some great songs left off of this album that should be on there but it's the perfect timetable of what Johnny Cash accomplished through his almost five decades of work. He is a perfect example of how an artist should always do what he wants to do and show the world what he is really feeling, even if it goes against your corporate sponsors and even your fans. To myself, he has been the definition of punk rock. It's all about the mindset and not about the music. This is what made all of his work and especially his last few records so amazing and you can get a taste of that on this record. If you have never heard Johnny Cash, this is the perfect album for you to start your love for this man. If you are already fan of Johnny Cash, this is a must have. If you aren't a fan of Johnny Cash, what is wrong with you? Get this album ASAP. I still find it amazing that his version of Hurt always brings a tear to my eye.

4/4