Hello, I'm Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash has the rare distinction of being one of the few inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Think about that for just a moment. What a remarkable achievement. It speaks volumes on the influence of Johnny Cash in the music world. With nearly 100 albums to his credit, Johnny Cash is one of the most prolific songwriter/performers in music.

Cash was an imposing figure dressed in black. His bass/baritone voice was captivating, even commanding. He was a rebel who was humble and had a kind heart.

A true paradox, both musically and characteristically.

At San Quentin was my first Johnny Cash album. It was actually another of my mom's albums, but I quickly confiscated it and played the hell out of it. The opening verse of the tune San Quentin blew me away:

San Quentin (Johnny Cash)

San Quentin, you've been livin' hell to me.
You've hosted me since nineteen sixty three.
I've seen 'em come and go and I've seen them die.
And long ago I stopped askin' why.

The song that sealed the deal for me, though, was A Boy Named Sue. I couldn't believe such a full story could be told in so little space. That may have been one of my earliest introductions to using the song form as a storytelling medium.

There are many other Johnny Cash tunes that caught my fancy over the years, some written by Johnny Cash and others written by someone else and performed at their best by Johnny. Ring of Fire, Green, Green Grass of Home, Folsom Prison Blues, and I Walk the Line are some fine examples. Give My Love to Rose, originally released on the Sings Hank Williams album in 1960, is another example of telling a complete story in song form.

Johnny Cash is typically considered a country legend, but in truth, he is one of the earliest rockabilly stars, he's an accomplished gospel singer, and he's even covered rock songs, particularly the song Hurt by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails. Absolutely haunting when handled by Cash.

And listen to the 1960 album Ride This Train. This is one of my favorite Johnny Cash albums ever, with spoken parts before each of the songs that tie them together. Basically a concept album before it was cool to do concept albums, and some of the spoken parts showcase elements of rap before rap was a musical term.

The last album Johnny Cash made before he passed away is the fourth album in his American series, American IV: The Man Comes Around. The album features several covers, including Hurt and The Eagles' Desperado. There are some guest backing vocal appearances on the record by several people, including Don Henley. In addition to the covers, there are stripped down re-workings of earlier Cash recordings as well, one of which is Give My Love to Rose. An album worth checking out.

NOTE: March 25th, 2014 a new CD by Johnny Cash is due out. The CD, Out Among the Stars, will feature all new recordings discovered in 2012. Out Among the Stars will be available at Amazon, iTunes, and various other musical outlets.

Johnny Cash was grounded in tradition and ahead of his time; a singer, songwriter, storyteller, and voice that will forever be etched upon our musical landscape.

New in 2014

There are some great new albums coming out this year. Some are confirmed, some are rumored. Stuff changes, so hopefully there will be no delays and we'll see the albums here.

Sometime in January we can expect a new album from Bruce Springsteen, High Hopes. It is supposed to be an album of covers and some reworked unreleased tunes. If you like the boss, this is something to look forward to. Bruce's last record was Wrecking Ball in 2012.

Tool should be releasing their first album since 2007's 10,000 Days. Not a huge Tool fan, but this is one people have been waiting for.

U2 hasn't done anything since 2009. That's all about to change with a new album in 2014. No title yet.

For Johnny Cash fans, there is a new album coming out that was recorded in the early 80s but never saw  release. The album is called Out Among the Stars and features never before heard recordings.

Guns 'N' Roses, so they say. Remember how long it took to release Chinese Democracy?

Metallica is tentatively talking about something in the spring.

Motley Crue are putting out an album as well, tying it in with a goodby tour, from what I understand.

Judas Priest are set to release a new album this year. It was announced officially on their website.

Other releases include albums by Machine Head, Foo Fighters, Nashville Pussy System of a Down, Linkin Park, Kylie Minogue, Coldplay, and Mariah Carey. There are no doubt going to be a lot more releases, but these are the ones I'm currently aware of. If you know of any more, leave a comment and let us know. There are quite a few names I'd like to see here.