The comment sections of a particular post here (and 1/3rd of a bottle of white wine) force me to a revelation; I am embarrassed to admit that I do not own any Johnny Cash records.
(pause)
Now that all y’all’s scorn has been justly visited upon me, what albums should I acquire to remedy this lack?
Moe, try the Essential Johnny Cash, two disc set for $20 on Amazon. Don’t know if links there expire, but if not, try this one.
First, shame on you indeed.
Second…hmm. The Essential Johnny Cash on Sony isn’t a bad place to start. Thirty-six necessary songs. Then pick up one of the Rick Rubin produced CDs on American. American Recordings or American III: Solitary Man. The latter comes from the last decade, and hey, bet you never figured Johnny for covering a Nine Inch Nails song (it sounds nothing like one might think). At San Quentin is the classic live CD (A Boy Named Sue!). And Carryin’ On With Johnny Cash & June Carter has recently been remastered. All duets, and a treasure. Last, if you’re willing to break the law: visit midnightrecords.com, and find the fabled Cash/Dylan duet bootleg (featuring cuts recorded around the time of Nashville Skyline).
That oughtta do it.
Moe,
Great video of the NIN song Johnny covered here.
Moe,
This is really, really bad. But the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem. I actaully envy you that you get to discover Johnny Cash. I wish I could do that again.
Harley’s right on, pick the first Solitary Man over number III. For “Bird on a Wire” if nothing else.
For something a bit different pick up “The Highwaymen.” Cash/Kristofferson/Nelson/Jennings.
“We crashed through the walls and into the street, kickin’ and a gougin’ in the mud and the blood and the beer.”
The Man Comes Around.
“Live at Folsom Prison.” The guy sings “I shot a man in Reno/Just to watch him die” for the enjoyment of a raucous crowd, at least some of whom may very well have shot somebody for the same reason. Exhilirating.