Authors: Johnny Cash,Jonny Cash,Patrick Carr

Cash: The Autobiography (31 page)

BOOK: Cash: The Autobiography

13.23Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

ads

It was produced by Johnny Cash, Lou Robin, and Rodney Crowell. The Adventures of Johnny Cash (CBS/FC—38094) Johnny Cash (Time-Ufc/TLCW—03) A three-record set issued by the Time-Life Corpor ation, and a very good overview of the recording career of Johnny Cash. It also contains a previously unissued master, “The Frozen Logger.” 1983 Johnny 99 (CBS/FC—38696) Koncert V Praze (In Prague—Live) (Supraphon/CBS/1113.3278) A live concert performed in Prague, Czechoslovakia, on April u, 1978. However, the album was not released until 1983 and then only in Europe. 1984 The Sun Years (Charly/Sunbox—103) Besides the releases of early Cash material by Sun International and Bear Family Records, Charly Records of England provided some excellent repackaged Sun material. This five-record set includes original master releases, alternate versions, and some previously unreleased masters. The boxed set also included a booklet featuring many early photographs. Perhaps the highlight of the set are two previously unissued tides, “One More Ride” and “Leave That Junk Alone.” Bitter Tears (Bear Farnily/BFX—15127)

A revised edition of the earlier CBS album, but Bear Family added “Big Foot” and “Old Apache Squaw,” and the album sleeve includes photographs of Cash's 1968 tour of the Wounded Knee Battlefield in South Dakota. 1985 Highwayman (CBS/FC—40056) The first of three releases combining the talents of Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. One unique feature of this album is the inclusion of the song “Big River.” When Cash originally recorded it on November 12, 1957, at the Sun studio in Memphis, one verse had to be dropped because of the overall length of the song. However, for this album release the “missing” verse was reintroduced so that each of the four performers could do one verse. Both the single and the album reached number 1 on the Billboard country charts. Rainbow (CBS/PC—39951) 1986 Heroes (with Waylon Jennings) (CBS/FC—40347) Cash's last album with CBS Records, marking the end of an association that began almost thirty years before. This excellent album combines the talents of longtime friends Cash and Waylon Jennings. Class of '55 (Mercury/Polygram/830—002—1) This Mercury Records release features four former Sun performers, Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Roy Orbison, recording again in Memphis. “Big Train from Memphis” includes a sweeping array of popular talent from John Fogerty to Rick Nelson. Believe in Him (Word/WS-8333) Marty Stuart produced this album of gospel music released on Word Records. The Sun Country Years, 1950—1959 (Bear Family/BFX—15211) An eleven-record boxed set from Bear Family Records devoted to early Sun recording artists and released only in Europe. Included are several alternate takes of Cash's previously released Sun material. 1987 Columbia Records, 1958—1986 (CBS/C2—40637) A two-record set released by CBS Records soon after Cash left for Mercury Records. This is another overview of Cash's CBS career. This set also includes a previously unissued version of “You Dreamer You.” Johnny Cash Is Coming to Town (Mercury/Polygram/832—031—1) This marks Cash's first release on Mercury Records and is highlighted, perhaps, by the inclusion of the Elvis Costello composition “The Big Light,” “Sixteen Tons,” and a duet with Waylon Jennings on “Let Him Roll.” 1988 Classic Cash—Hall of Fame Series (Mercury/Polygram/834—526—1) An interesting collection of material from Cash's past years rerecorded and issued on this Mercury Records album. This was originally intended as a European release only, but it was finally released in the United States to coincide with the Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit honoring Johnny Cash. Hence the title. Water from the Wells of Home (Mercury/Polygram/834—778—1) The highlights of this Mercury Records release include a duet with Paul and Linda McCartney and two duets with John Carter Cash, Cash's son. This album also includes Roy Acuff, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, and Hank Williams Jr., among others. 1989 Boom Chicka Boom (Mercury/Polygram/842—155—1) Produced by Bob Moore, this album was Mercury's attempt to re-create, with some success, the original Sun sound. When this was released in Europe it included an additional song, “Veteran's Day.” 1990 Highwayman 2 (CBS/C—45240) This is “volume two” by Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. The Spoken Word New Testament (TNO—7488ca) A fourteen-cassette package of Cash reading the New King James version of the New Testament, released through Thomas Nelson. The Man in Black, 1954—1958 (Bear Family/BCD—15517) A five-CD boxed set by Bear Family Records, the first in an ongoing series, containing both Sun and CBS material and including virtually the complete sessions from 1954 through 1958. The fifth CD in this set is devoted to a single recording session from CBS, featuring false starts and outtakes. A booklet is enclosed with this package, featuring early photographs and a discography. 1991 The Mystery of Life (Mercury/Poly gram/848—051—2) Cash's last CD with Mercury Records. The Man in Black, 1959—1962 (Bear Family/BCD—15562) A continuation of the Bear Family Records series, this one from 1959 through 1962. Included in this five-CD boxed set are songs by Roy Cash and Ray Liberto, Cash's nephew and brother-in-law, respectively. Again, the fifth CD is a complete recording session from May i960. A booklet is included. Come Along and Ride This Train (Bear Family/BCD—15563) A four-CD boxed set by Bear Family Records simple reissuing several of Cash's early CBS albums, including Ride This Train, Ballads of the True West, Bitter Tears From Sea to Shining Sea, and America. An alternate ver sion of “Come Along and Ride This Train” is used i addition to a previously unissued duet with Lome Green on “Shifting, Whispering Sands.” A booklet accompanied this set. 1992 The Essential Johnny Cash (CBS/C3K—47991) A three-CD boxed set featuring vintage material from 1955 to 1983, including both CBS and Sun masters, booklet with a discography is included. 1994 American Recordings (American/45520—2) In 1993 Johnny Cash signed with American Records. Now die recording career of a Country Music Hall of Famer was in the hands of Rick Rubin, one of the hottest rock producers in the industry. This unlikely union introduced Cash to a new and wider audience. This totally acoustic CD contained the controversial version of “Delia's Gone.” 1995 The Road Goes on Forever (Llberty/C2—28091) This is the third, and perhaps the last, of the High- waymen projects, featuring Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. The Man in Black. 1963—1969 (Bear Family/BCD—15588) A five-CD boxed set from Bear Family Records continuing its excellent series through 1969. Perhaps the highlight of this set is the inclusion of the July 1964 Newport Folk Festival performance. Riding for the Brand (Soundelux/Mind's Eye Publishing) The Highwaymen—Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson—lend their talents to this audiobook written by Louis L'Amour. 1996

The Sun Years (Charly/CD-Sunbox—5) A three-CD boxed set from Charly Records contain- ing the same material as its 1984 five-record set. This pack- age includes an updated booklet. Unchained (American/43097—2) The latest release by Cash on American Records and a departure from the acoustic sound of his first Rick Rubin-produced CD. Musical accompaniment was provided by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, and Flea. One final word on the above-listed releases. It is unfortu nate that CBS Records could not have seen the value of reissues or had the imagination shown by foreign record companies such as Bear Family Records of Germany and Charly Records of England. The significance of the reis- sues of these two record companies cannot be overstated. To CBS's credit, however, it is beginning to reissue some of the early albums on CDs. It is hoped that this will continue and Cash himself can take an active part in the reissue process. Through the availability of previously unissued material and alternate takes of released titles, newcomers to the music of Johnny Cash, as well as existing fans, can build a strong base for a major part of the early recording career of a country music legend.

Photographic Credits Grateful acknowledgment is given to the following individuals and organizations for the photographs that appear in this book. Section 1 Carrie Rivers Cash: House in Dyess, AK. Author's Collection: Cash family. Ray Cash: Jack, Johnny, and Reba. Author's Collection: Senior photo. Carrie Rivers Cash: Roy and Johnny, 1954. Author's Collection: Airman Cash, 1952. Hope Powell: Parents. Author's Collection: In the studio. Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry: June at the Grand Ole Opry, 1958. Author's Collection: Luther, Johnny, and Marshall. Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry: Johnny with Ernest Tubb, 1956. Author's Collection: With Elvis. Author's Collection: Five Minutes to Live, 1961. Author's Collection: Johnny Cash and the Family Show. Courtesy of Columbia Records: At Gene Autry's movie ranch, 1959. Author's Collection: Johnny Reb. John McKinney: With Rick Nelson, 1969. Author's Collection: Carl Perkins, W. S. Holland, and Johnny, 1970. Section 2 Author's Collection: Johnny backstage. Author's Col- lection: John and June on stage. Merle Kilgore: Wedding photo, 1968. Winifred Kelley: June, Johnny, and baby John Carter. grandson, 1997. Peggy Knight: June and Rosie. June Carter Cash: Carlene with Howie Epstein. Dennye Landry: The Cash daughters. KTI Jensen: The Highwaymen and their wives. Hope Powell: Johnny with Waylon Jennings. Johnny Cash: June in Jamaica. Copyright: The Nashville Tennessean: Folsom Prison, 1968. Johnny Cash: Farm at Bon Aqua, TN. Author's Collection: Man in Black. Reba Hancock: Johnny with Lou Robin. Russ Busby/BGEA: Billy Graham Christmas Special group shot. Alan Messer: Johnny with Kirk Douglas. Andy Earl: With Range Rover, 1996. Tamara Reynolds: Johnny with guitar.

About The Authors JOHNNY CASH is a singer and songwriter who first sang publicly while in the Air Force in the early 1950's. His 1955 contract with Sam Phillips's famous Sun Records label marked the beginning of his professional singing career. In 1996, Cash received a Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Award and released his American Recordings album Unchained. Cash resides in Tennessee with June Carter, his wife of twenty-nine years. Patrick Carr, a veteran journalist of the country music scene, has been acquainted with Johnny Cash since 1972. His magazine credits include Rolling Stone, The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Playboy. A contributing editor of Country Music Magazine and editor of The Illustrated History of Country Music, Carr co-authored Backstage Passes: Life on the Wild Side with David Bowie with Angela Bowie. He lives in Tampa, Florida.