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at a glance...
Hometown: Kingsland, AR
First Recordings: 1955
Sidemen:
"The Tennessee Two" :
Luther Perkins - electric guitar
Marshall Grant - bass
Notes:
Johnny Cash's minimalist outlook made him a legend of country music. A deep baritone voice, urgent acoustic strumming, and unadorned electric twang have become the "Man in Black's" calling card. Straightforward lyrics and melodies accompany brooding vocals and stark guitar work. Cash has hardly changed his style since his first recordings of 1955. He was a major star in the 1950s and 1960s, and a legendary figure ever since. Significantly, he never changed his approach no matter what the trends were in country, pop, or rock music, making him an appealing artist to fans of all three genres. He recently stopped touring due to Parkinson's disease.
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Johnny Cash
The Sun Years
Sun, Recorded 1955-1958; Compilation: Rhino, 1990
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In the three formative years Johnny Cash spent at Memphis' Sun Records, he created and perfected the pared-down and plain-spoken sound that would make him a legend. Backed by the Tennessee Two, the Cash style included enthusiastic acoustic strumming and deep baritone vocals from the leader, simple twang from guitarist Luther Perkins, and rock-solid bass from Marshall Grant. Everything about these early recordings is direct and honest, as Cash covers distinctly American themes such as trains, girls, and the blues. Perkins took advantage of his (apparently) limited skills, focusing on creating a sound and a mood with basic muted licks, a distinctive twang, and a sharp tone. The CD remastering captures this tone in full effect.
Cash attacks 14 originals along with two Jack Clement songs, a Charlie Rich number, and one traditional. Story songs such as "Folsom Prison Blues," "Hey Porter," and "I Walk the Line" form the foundation of Cash's repertoire and his aesthetic. He has fun telling the tale on the traditional "Rock Island Line" as the tempo shifts to coincide with the story. Even with impossibly dated and corny backup singers (as on "Guess Things Happen That Way"), Cash's stark delivery provides an interesting contrast. His lyrics are often autobiographical and always blunt as he takes the listener with him on his travels; love songs and "bad-love" songs share the same honesty. "Big River" uses simple but vivid imagery and "Mean Eyed Cat" finds him angry and embarrassed, but somehow still happily unfazed. He actually shows a hint of emotion on the brooding "So Doggone Lonesome" (complete with ominous guitar riff) and on the mournful ballad "Give My Love to Rose," which presages Merle Haggard's prison songs.
If you like Johnny Cash, check out:
Ernest Tubb Country Music Hall of Fame
Johnny Cash Columbia Years
-- Marc Greilsamer
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