Johnny Cash: the Legend

JOHNNY CASH The Legend (Columbia/Legacy)

With four discs and more than 100 tracks, The Legend is the most comprehensive survey of the Man in Black's career. From his breakthrough Sun Records hits of the '50s to his unprecedented, Rick Rubin-helmed American Recordings (1994) renaissance, this box covers almost 50 years of songs that both explored and shaped the history of American music. The discs are organized by theme (hits, duets, etc.), which doesn't really add to the impact that a pure Cash chronology would have--though the grab-bag 'Favorites" disc, which includes "Big River" as well as a cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman," is an undeniable knockout. The seven previously unreleased cuts may not be revelatory, but they're a solid addition to a truly historic body of work.

COPYRIGHT 2005 Brant Publications, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning