Search - Johnny Cash :: Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous

+1/2 -- Album full of essential Cash hit singles

hyperbolium | Earth, USA | 05/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Cash's third Sun album is wall-to-wall classic early Cash, and wall-to-wall hit singles. Eleven of the original twelve tracks (everything except for a cover of Hank Williams' "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)" hit the top-10 of the county charts (with four #1s!), and five crossed over to the pop charts (with three top-20s!). Included among the track list are several icons of the Cash's catalog, such as "I Walk the Line" and "Big River."The original twelve tracks have been anthologized in numerous other places (e.g., Varese's fine 2-CD "The Complete Original Singles" includes all but the non-single track), but never have they been reissued on CD in this original album form. At the time of issue, this 1959 album was really a compilation of successful Cash Sun singles of '56, '57 and '58. And though the single was king at the time, many listeners first brought these recordings home in this long-playing form. Those remembering their album purchase will enjoy revisiting the song sequence, as will those who've only heard these songs on Cash compilations.Varese's CD reissue augments the original dozen tracks with four bonuses, including three alternate takes and the undubbed master of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen." The latter is fascinating in its presentation of Cash and the Tennessee Two, stripped of Jack Clement's bombastic (and, to be fair, hit-single making) production. Though the single's bouncier rhythm line and backing choir (especially Cyd Mostreller's falsetto) were memorable hooks, the folk-like simplicity of the basic track focusses stirringly on Cash's baritone. Alternate takes of "The Ways of a Woman in Love" and "Guess That Things Happen That Way" are similarly revealed from Clement's overdubbed hit singles.Though the original dozen tracks appear on several other collections, hearing them in album sequence, especially with the four bonus tracks, makes this a worthwhile spin for Cash collectors and neophytes alike.4-1/2 stars, if allowed fractional ratings."

J.R. Cash: from childhood on a 40-acre cotton farm to countr

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 04/21/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"According to liner notes on this record album, Arkansas-born Johnny Cash knew from a young age that he would one day be famous. Cash (a descendant of Scots royalty) found the way to that acclaim as a young soldier stationed in Germany. "J.R." entertained appreciative barracks buddies with his "pickin' and singin' " and determined to make this his career. After the Army stint ended, a newly christened Johnny Cash bragged around Memphis that he'd soon be a recording star who would revolutionize country music. This braggadocious prediction proved partially correct for soon after, several of Johnny's singles crossed over to the pop charts and Mr. Cash became a pioneer in country pop music.



Original pressings of SUN Records' JOHNNY CASH SINGS: SONGS THAT MADE HIM FAMOUS (SLP 1235) are of thick, nearly unbendable vinyl. Album jackets are equally heavier than average. Released 11/13/58, this was Johnny's second long playing record. Half the songs are his own compositions. Five of these reached #1 on Billboard's C&W chart; an additional five broke into the same Top Ten. Tracks 1, 5, 6, 8 and 10 made the Pop Top 40.



All songs recorded between 4/2/56 and 7/10/58. Accompanying Johnny are Luther Perkins on guitar and Marshall Grant plays bass. These classic late-50s tracks have that distinctive SUN studio echo first widely heard on Elvis Presley's summer '54 recording sessions. Several feature a distinctive "chuck-a-chuck" rhythm backing.



PROGRAM--



SIDE ONE

[2:08] Ballad of a Teenage Queen ('58, #1)

[2:12] There You Go ('56, #1)

[2:41] I Walk the Line ('56, #1)

[2:24] Don't Make Me Go ('57, #9)

[1:47] Guess Things Happen That Way ('58, #1)

[2:20] Train of Love ('57, #1)



SIDE TWO

[2:11] The Ways of a Woman in Love ('58, #12)

[2:42] Next in Line ('57, #9)

[2:37] You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven ('58, #5)

[1:43] I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)

[2:36] Home of the Blues ('57, #3)

[2:28] Big River ('58, #4)



TOTAL TIME: 27:49"