When this album was first released by Columbia as a 33RPM vinyl Johnny's career was already well established. Since then there have been many more songs and tons of reviews. However, this album is still as fresh as it was when I bought the 33RPM 30 years ago. The real beauty of this album is that you really don't have to be a C&W fan to enjoy it.
"Jackson", with his wife June Carter, is a jaunty tune with a smooth country flavor. The first version of "Jackson" I ever heard was sung by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood when I was doing my tour overseas. Same tune and lyrics, but Johnny and June's version captures the country flavor better.
"I Walk The Line" was one of Johnny's biggest hits early in his career. The guitar work here is great. It really flows along with Johnny's lyrics. A true Cash classic.
"Understand Your Man" is a song that any man in a lousy relationship can relate to. Johnny performs it with that happy go lucky attitude of a man who has finally decided to pack it up and head for greener pastures. And as a farewell he tells her to "lay there in your bed and keep your mouth shut till I'm gone." Well put, Johnny! This one is my personal favorite.
"Orange Blossom special" is another happy go lucky tune about catching a train bound for the sunny climes of Florida. This one features a great harmonica accompaniment.
"The One On The Right...." was one of Johnny's contribution to the whacky song fad of the time. You can tell this one was from the 60's because one of the guys in the band "burned his drivers license" (a parody of the draft card burners), and in the end he was drafted.
"Ring of Fire" was another smash hit for Johnny. It was a love song that Johnny wrote for, as he said years later, someone who's name he forgot.
"It Ain't Me Babe" is the same tune that the Turtles had a hit with in the 60's. I don't know if Johnny recorded his version first or not. His version has more of a country flavor than the Turtles pop version.
"Ballad of Ira Hayes" was one of many tributes to the Indians that Johnny recorded in song. Ira Hayes (if you are not familiar with the name) was a Pima Indian. As a Marine during World War II, Ira was one of the seven men that raised the flag on Iwo Jima. The flag raising, along with Ira Hayes, has been immortalized by the Marine Memorial in Washington DC. The song goes on to tell the story of how Ira came home to become an alcoholic and eventually die as an unforgotten hero. This is a really powerful ballad and tribute to an Indian who became a war hero.
"The Rebel-Johnny Yuma" was from the tv show of the same name in the late 50's, starring the late Nick Adams. This version is longer than the tv theme of course, with additional lyrics that you didn't hear in the tv show. By the way, Johnny actually did sing the tv theme song. If you remember the tv show you will recognize this song. If not, you will enoy it anyway.
"Five Feet High and Rising" tells about the onging struggle between man and nature. It starts at two feet high and rising, and in each verse Johnny tells us of the havoc the flood waters are causing. It may not sound intersting on the surface but you'll be surprised at how well Johnny performs it and puts you right there in the middle of the flood waters.
"Don't Take Your Guns to Town" tells us about a young cowboy in the old west named Bill. He's planning to go to town and his mother pleads with him not to take his guns. Well, Bill decides he's a man and takes his guns with him anywat. Bill should have listened to his ma, because in the final verse.....well, you can probably guess what happens. With each verse of the song the tempo of the guitars increase, adding to the flavor and drama of the lyrics.
On most albums there are always one or two tracks you just don't like. This album will NOT be one of them. Every song is a bona fide Johnny Cash classic presentation.
If you like the sounds of Johnny Cash. But don't want to spend a bundle on a boxset. Then this is the collection for you. This one has the original recordings. Some of his newer greatest hits CD's have some of these songs on them, but they're remakes. And no disrespect to the Man In Black. But, he should have stuck with the original hits. Now back to this recording.
I bought a cassette tape of Greatest Hits Volume 1 back in the early 70's when I was in high school. And while my friends were trying to get me to play Deep Purple, CCR, Alice Cooper etc in my 68 Torino. I was cranking out the sounds of Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Hank Sr. I would just laugh and say "If it wasn't for Johnny's "Ring Of Fire", There wouldn't wouldn't be "Smoke On the Water".
This is a good collection, especially if it's your introduction to the music of the "Man In Black"... But I do have one complaint... You know me, mr. "Original Recording" here, The original Sun recording of I Walk The Line is much better, and should have been on here instead of the Columbia re-record. At any rate, it's a good CD.
If you like Johnny Cash and wish to collect a large body of his work for your collection, this CD will by no means complete your task. But this IS a great CD, with a pretty good mix of songs and styles and a great portrait of his talent. GO FOR IT!
I recently purchased the Johnny Cash hits CD called 'Columbia Recordings'. The recording quality was VERY poor - not surpising for Columbia. Back in the 70's, Columbia's classical recordings on vinyl were very poor - distorted with lots of pops and scratching noises. I have Verve CDs recording in the 50's and the quality is superb. Wait and buy a remastered CD.
