Reviewed by Dave Brassington

I must admit in being a huge fan of "The Man In Black" but even so there were a few recordings here made at different locations down the years that took me by surprise, not so much for the material, but where they were made, ranging from various prisons - Folsom and San Quentin in the States and Osteraker in Sweden. The latter track is from a very rare and hard to find Cash album 'Live In A Swedish Prison'. Other items were recorded in Madison Square Garden in New York and at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. Material-wise, there are some renditions of Cash's great hits ranging from "Folsom Prison Blues", "I Still Miss Someone", "A Boy Named Sue", "I Walk The Line" and "Big River". But for me the most interesting tracks are some lesser known pieces including the Gene Autry hit from the 1930s, "That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine" recorded in that Swedish prison. Readers may not know that in his early days Gene Autry was a huge favourite of Johnny as he grew up. Another intriguing cut was "What Is Truth" which was recorded in the White House when Cash was invited to perform by President Richard Nixon while "Children Go Where I Send Thee" is from a TV show in Denmark with Johnny in top form with top rate backing from Carl Perkins, the legendary Carter Family and his long time musical associates the Statler Brothers. Highly recommended if you want to sample this late great and much missed artist in terrific form.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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