In those days, Johnny kept the backing music simple, but his style was very effective. This particular album was inspired by the folk revival, including as it did, several traditional songs as well as original songs written by Johnny, mainly based on experiences of growing up in a farming community.
Five feet high and rising was written about some floods in 1937 when Johnny, only five, was too young to appreciate the gravity of the situation, but old enough to retain a deep and lasting impression of wonderment.
Clementine, while based loosely on the traditional song My darling Clementine, is given new lyrics and sounds like a completely different song - it's very amusing. I wanna go home is a cover of a song better known these days as Sloop John B, the title that the Beach boys used when they recorded it.
Old Apache squaw is one of many songs that Johnny has recorded about the people who inhabited America before Columbus discovered it - understandably, given that he has Native American blood in him.
The great speckled bird is a cover of Roy Acuff's classic gospel song. As many of you will know, the tune has also been used for I'm thinking tonight of my blue eyes, Wild side of life and It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels.
Although not part of the original album, the inclusion of two of Johnny's country hits from around that time - I got stripes and You dreamer you - is most welcome.
There are many other fine songs on this fascinating album. If you enjoy Johnny's early music, you will love this.
This album features "folk songs" by Johnny Cash. Many of them are traditional folk songs, but there are also original folk songs written by Cash himself, like the classic "Five Feet High and Rising". Most of the songs are very good. I especially like "The Caretaker" and "Old Apache Squaw". It's worth noting that "I Want to Go Home" was later recorded by the Beach Boys as "Sloop John B" (although they didn't base their version on Cash's version). The CD adds two bonus tracks that were recorded at the same session as the album. "I Got Stripes" and "You Dreamer You" are great songs, and became hit singles, but they were left off of the album because they don't really fit the concept of the album. But after all this time, who cares? The CD is improved by their inclusion, so it's nice to have them here.
I really mean that in a good way. It's like candy because the music is tight - very similar to early Beatle's stuff. Well-crafted, upbeat, hard to hate, 3 minute songs. It's the period right before Johnny got his edge. Here's the medicine: the upbeat music is very deceptive in that it hides some very sad and depressing topics. It's very much a Depression era album.
If you like the outlaw JC, the Don Law produced stuff, you might not like this right off the bat. But it is true Cash.
Funny concept, but he was raosed a farmer and these songs relfect the land. Great album.
