Johnny Cash – Personal File

Pros

• "Saginaw Michigan"
• "Have Thine Own Way Lord"
• "Matthew 24 (Is Knocking At the Door"

Cons

• None.

Description

• 49 songs on two CD’s.
• Produced by Gregg Geller, Liner Notes by Greil Marcus.
• Released by Legacy Recordings.

Guide Review - Johnny Cash – Personal File

For what it is, this is an excellent compilation. It is not meant to be glitz and glitter, but just Johnny and his guitar and nothing else. If someone were expecting the hard driving rhythms that Johnny Cash was famous for, they would be greatly disappointed. If they are looking for an album that has songs from the heart and soul of Johnny Cash, then this is it. If I were forced to choose one word to describe this album, it would be the word ‘reflective.’ The majority of the songs are old hymns. There are some old cover songs from The Carter Family, the Louvin Brothers, John Prine and Johnny Horton just to name a few.

Johnny recorded these songs through the 1970’s, with the earliest being in 1973. They were found among hundreds of recordings stored in a room behind the recording studio at the House of Cash. They were in boxes marked 'Personal File.' Throughout the CD’s, Johnny has commentary about the songs and why they have meaning for him. That is part of what makes this collection truly special. I find it really interesting to hear some of the songs from other albums I have, such as "Springtime in Alaska" or "Matthew 24," stripped down to just a voice and a guitar. It makes the lyrics really stand out. If someone is a big Johnny Cash fan, this is a great addition to your collection. If you just like the basic hymns, then you will also love this 2 CD set. If you are looking for the driving rhythms and drinking songs, then this is definitely not for you.