Search - Johnny Cash :: Definitive Collection 1985 to 1993

Great collection but not the original recordings

Razor X | New Jersey, USA | 04/26/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In the mid-80s, after more than a quarter century of recording for Columbia Records, The Man In Black was unceremoniously dropped from the label by the suits at CBS. Shortly thereafter he signed with Mercury Records, and during that time he re-recorded many of his old Sun and Columbia hits. These re-recordings are what appear in this "Definitive Collection." They are faithful to the original versions, but you're the type of listener who insists on always having the original recordings, this isn't the collection for you. In addition to the well-known hits, there other gems that have Cash collaborating with some impressive guest artists -- the late, great Waylon Jennings on "The Night Hank Williams Came To Town", the wonderful Emmylou Harris on "As Long As I Live", the Everly Brothers and daughter Rosanne on "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen", and wife and soulmate June Carter Cash on "Where Did We Go Right." U2 also makes an appearance on "The Wanderer" and Waylon, Willie, and Kris Kristofferson stop by for a re-recorded version of "The Highwayman".



Overall, this is a very enjoyable album. The only reason I've given it four stars instead of five is because these are re-recordings -- Mercury should have disclosed this fact on the cover somewhere. Purists may prefer Sony Legacy's more comprehensive Essential Johnny Cash, which does use the original recordings, but for less die-hard Cash fans, this collection will fit the bill very nicely."