Reports of Johnny Cash’s death may have been exaggerated. I only say that because the energy of Cash is still palpable as I listen to this album. When Cash takes the stage, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
When he does the “Wreck of the Old 97” the hair on my head might as well be standing on end. The audience of cons at San Quentin love Cash and we do as well (not to offend any con people out there). Cash fans do yourself a favor and click on the Amazon link below and just buy it. I’ll wait here. Done yet? If so you can thank me later.
The set is excellent and Cash fans should consider it a required purchase. The set brings together all of the released tracks from the San Quentin album, but also what it adds is 13 tracks that have not been released. First the opening acts.
Carl Perkins contributes the unissued “Blue Suede Shoes,” the instrumental “Restless,” and “The Outside Looking In.” The Statler Brothers “Flowers on the Wall” and “Less of me” also were unissued. The Carter Family (including June Carter Cash) unissued bits include “The Last Thing on my Mind,” June joking with the audience, and “Break my Mind.”
Last, but never least, is the Man in Black himself. He performs an unissued melody of “The Long Black Veil” and “Give My Love to Rose.” He also teams with June Carter Cash to perform an unissued version of “Jackson.”
Finally he contributes an unissued song called “Blister.” The unissued songs are enough to get the box, but wait there’s more. The final contribution is probably the most eagerly anticipated.
The third disc is the 60-minute DVD of “Johnny Cash in San Quentin” that was produced by Granada TV (U.K.). It features the concert and also interviews several guards and in-mates. The whole package is excellent, electric, and will make the Johnny Cash fan ecstatic to find it under their Christmas tree.
Johnny Cash at San Quentin (Legacy Edition) is now available at Amazon . Visit the music database for more information.
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