Johnny Cash cd's

Although they are not live recordings (they are acoustic actually) I would recommend the entire American series. Sonically excellent material and as Krell man says above, tells his story through the songs he chose to cover.

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to pickup Live at San Quentin, and check out his latest release, I've heard the NIN cover he did and it was pretty cool. There is something about that man's voice that is both hopefull and dreadfull at the same time.

Folsom Prison is excellent. Get the new remastered version. Any of the American recording 1,2,3,4 are superb values with interesting songs and sound great. The American box set is also a great value especially since it includes Johnny's hymn book.

Japanese pressings of "Live at San Quentin" are around. I have one and it sounds very good except for the scratches; bought another copy, American, that is pristing but it does not sound as good as the japanese pressing. Both are more than adequate for listening, however; it is the performance that counts. Cash's version of Dylan's "Wanted Man", "The Wreck of the Old 97", and "Starkville City Jail" are are first class as well as the great ballad with June Carter "Let There Be Peace In The Valley".

We all miss Johnny. I was fortunate enough to see him at the Fillmore in San Francisco when he was doing his first "American Recordings" tour.

The American Series is the one you have got to have. Although I find the first one the weakest of the bunch 2-4 are the stuff legends are made of. After playing these CD's constantly I have come to the conclusion that whenever Johnny Cash covered a song it was his forever. He led such a life,in some parts of the world he was to music what John Wayne was to movies.