Disco de Johnny Cash: “Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash”

For anyone confused with the numerous box sets & greatest hits of J.Cash, here is the classic original. Recorded in 1963 but still timeless. I first listened to this on LP when I was seven years old (23 years ago)and it has stuck with me ever since. I recommend this to anyone who wants to here J.C. before mainsteam commericalism took over. Now I want to buy it for my CD collection.

I originally purchased this as an LP in the early 60's. To finally re-obtain it as a CD is wonderful. The quality is superior to the original in every way, and the songs themselves are timeless. Having seen Mr. Cash many times in person during the 60's, he's one of the few country/rock pioneers who's songs retained that original essence that modern country lacks through to the end of his life. The influence of the Carter Family is very present in many of the songs, and their background vocals, especially June's, can still bring a lump to your throat and a tear to your eye. My personal favorite on the album is Tennessee Flat-top Box. As a young guitarist, it was one of the first country pieces I learned. If you like old style country with bits of original rock-a-billy mixed in, you'll like this album

In early 1963, Johnny Cash, with a Columbia contract about to expire, no top hit since '59, and little chance he'd be resigned, "had a dream" - whether it was chemically induced or not, as Cash would often remark, is another matter. Influenced, further, by the popular sounds of the Tijuana Brass hit around that time, he envisioned horns backing up a song written by June Carter and Merle Kilgore, and already recorded & released with little notice by Anita Carter in 1962. Recorded in March 1963 Cash's dream became a musical reality as "Ring of Fire" (released a month later in April)and help contribute to the first resurrection of Cash's legendary musical career. The single reached the C&W No. 1 by late July 1963. The LP "Ring of Fire - The Best of Johnny Cash" was put together quickly by Columbia using previously recorded material from their vaults, coincided closely with the release of the single - it reached certified gold status also that summer of 1963. While remaining one of Cash's most popluar albums ever ( but hardly really his "Best"), it serves as a true testament to Cash's being what he always was: A true orignal stylist in American music. The rest, as they say, is history...

It is SO good to hear these beautiful songs. My favorite is FORTY SHADES OF GREEN. You can just picture yourself in Ireland. I do want to clarify something regarding an earlier post though...I agree that Johnny should have done more Irish songs because they would have been brilliant but to refer to this as an Irish song is not entirely correct. It is a song ABOUT Ireland. Johnny Cash WROTE the song. However, now it has pretty much become synonymous with Ireland and I think that is wonderful. His body of work can't be held to one country! I also love TENNESSEE FLAT TOP BOX (his daughter's version was just as good...love them both.)

This is not the BEST compilation but as I said above, any Johnny is GREAT.

Many people don't know this but June Carter wrote The Ring Of Fire. This is also a magnificent cd.Get this cd soon, you'll like it.