A Trip Back In Time

Life (Columbia / Legacy)

Johnny Cash

By Bob Mitchell

I'm looking at a 1950s photo of a young, clean-cut Johnny Cash wearing a string tie and standing with an admiring fan; that fan would one day write a review about an album designed to showcase an individual musical style that insured Cash's place in history. That admiring fan was this reviewer. At the time, neither of knew about the highs and lows that would comprise Cash's life. Now, 50 years later, there is no doubt about that the life and music of Cash profoundly influenced the world of country music.

Eighteen songs from thirteen projects recorded between 1958 and 1988 were gleaned from the catalogs of Sun, Columbia and Mercury. Cash made each selection and he was personally supervising this release until four days before his death. If you are a Cash fan, you know there is no way to select a single favorite song by the Man in Black. Listeners will have the same problem with this release. However, several songs must be singled out.

"Suppertime" is a powerful gospel track from 1958. "The Night Hank Williams Came to Town" is a nostalgic song from 1986. It reminded me of the night I saw Hank here in Louisville, Ky. This is the only song I have ever heard that captures the excitement of such an event. Two compelling tracks relate to life on the wrong side of the tracks, Cash's original, "Country Trash," and Bob Dylan's "Wanted Man." "I'm Alright Now" is a hand clapping song of salvation that makes you want to shout "amen."

There are two outstanding cuts from 1971: "I Talk To Jesus Everyday," recorded with wife June Carter-Cash and "Man in Black" which explains why he wore black almost exclusively. The song with the most unexpected twist is homage to the working man. "Oney" is about retirement revenge. Two selections relate to patriotism: a compelling "Ragged Old Flag," and "These Are My People." Another two cuts are about love: "Where Did We Go Right," a heartfelt love song recorded with the Cater Family and "You're The Nearest Thing To Heaven."

The project also includes a previously unreleased 1977 recording of "I Can't Go On That Way," a track that certainly reflects Cash's life as evidenced by some of the words, "Life was a ball of alcohol and pills ... /And every hangover morning was an unheeded warning ... /Till the highs got low and my will said no, I can't go on this way."

On a five-point scale of excellence, this release is a five.