An interesting Johnny Cash compilation. The only other Johnny Cash stuff I had on CD before buying this was the 'prisons' (Folsom and St Quentin) CDs. This is a great disc, in spite of its slightly gimmicky theme and liner notes by Quentin Tarentino. The original Sun mono version of 'folsom prison blues' is here, and sitting comfortably alongside it is the 1993 recording 'delia', which is a remarkably addictive song.
Perhaps because of the nature of the subject matter, there are a few sound effects gimmicks which spice up the songs. For example, in 'Joe Bean', we get to hear the sound of the protagonist's neck breaking as he is hung from a noose.
I've never consciously collected Cash's albums, but I respect him a lot, and this disc provides a high quality collection of tracks. Cash's influence on idols of mine like Nick Cave is strongly evident. Other hightlights include 'going to memphis' and 'when it's springtime in alaska (it's 40 below)'.
