Johnny Cash Album: “Christmas With Johnny Cash [Columbia Legacy]”

I'll admit that I tend to love just hearing Johnny Cash's voice, but I adore this CD. The track of 'Christmas Guest' is PERFECT with Cash's deep, thoughtful voice. Although I'm not a Christian, I love listening to the undeniable sincerity with which he sings all of these beautiful songs. This CD has helped make me realize that this is one of the key factors missing in a lot of Christmas music- you just feel a lot more happy and 'Christmas-y' when you listen to someone who really sounds like he means it.

Even if you disagree with me about 'meaning it', there is still lots to like- I would never have thought Cash would be so well suited musically to Christmas songs. A lot of the songs are quite story-like, and you can really revel in JR's voice. Others are more traditional, and in my opinion the choir adds a little 'merriness' where required (like with Hark the Herald Angels). I personally haven't really felt as though he gets overwhelmed... his voice is so distinctive that I always felt like I was listning to Johnny Cash.

I hope this helps... Whatever you get, it's well worth buying some Christmas Johnny Cash music!

I never listened to this cd but bought it as a gift for some friends that seem to have all of his albums. They were really surprised that I found it and listened to it all season long! Great gift for a true Cash fan! Enjoy!

This Christmas compilation would seem to be a pretty mixed bag. But then again, what else IS a Christmas album but a mixed bag. Cash's iconic status pretty much guarantees that his interpretation of holiday standards will be of interest, even when the arrangements are too busy and the background vocals too cluttered. (I'm of the less-is-more school, I guess, at least in the case of a straightforward, no-frills performer like Johnny Cash.) Spoken word pieces like "The Christmas Guest" and "The Christmas Spirit" are pretty much de rigueur for this kind of record too. They are a little predictable, you could say, maybe A LOT predictable, but Cash's dignified readings of such pieces will win over all but the scroogiest among us. Let's put it this way, if this were the soundtrack for a holiday TV special, it would be perfectly delightful. As a pure listening experience, well, it's entertaining enough, if not something that will warrant multiple re-hearings. But once or twice a season, well, why not? A welcome stocking stuffer, and the price is about right.

I disagree with those that bash the 1980 cuts from Classic Christmas; In fact, I would side with the folks that prefer Cash's music that came out during "the forgotten era": 1974-1983. ...In fact, I would LOVE to see Columbia Legacy release a compilation on those singles that have been long out of print.

But - back to Christmas music.

My only gripe with this collection is that it overlooks "The Little Drummer Boy". That song - along with the rest of the cuts on this CD would make for a more-complete overview of his Christmas releases.

This CD has Johnny Cash in good voice at a reasonable cost. He is accompanied by a chorus on most songs, but they are not too intrusive.

The songs included are:

1.I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

2.The Christmas Guest (spoken)

3. Hark the Herald Angels Sing

4.The Gives They Gave

5.Blue Christmas

6.Merry Christmas Mary

7.O Come All Ye Faithful

8.Away in a Manger

9. the Christmas spirit

10.Joy to the world

11.Silent Night

12. Christmas as I Knew It

It's still a cheery Christmas record especially if you enjoy Johnny Cash