The Sun Years [Rhino] (CD - 1990)

Compilation producer: James Austin.

Includes liner notes by Todd Everett.

Rhino's single-disc compilation The Sun Years contains 18 highlights from Johnny Cash's early years, including nearly every one of his hits for the label (the only ones missing are minor singles or B-sides). During his time at Sun, Cash established his sound and these songs -- "Cry! Cry! Cry!," "Folsom Prison Blues," "I Walk the Line" -- remained the core of his repertoire throughout his entire career. Hit singles like "There You Go," "Guess Things Happen That Way," "Ballad of a Teenage Queen," and "Luther Played the Boogie" round out The Sun Years in an exemplary fashion. There might be more comprehensive collections of Cash's Sun recordings than The Sun Years, but this disc contains everything you need to know. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Born in Arkansas, Johnny Cash began his musical career in the early 1950s, following his discharge from the Air Force. Cash developed his sound with Luther Perkins (lead guitar) and Marshall Grant (bass). Their debut, "Hey Porter"/"Cry! Cry! Cry!" emerged in 1955 on Sun Records followed by "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk the Line." In 1958 Carl Perkins' drummer, W.S. Holland, joined and Cash switched to Columbia Records, and another single, "Don't Take Your Guns to Town," sold half a million. Cash married June Carter in 1968 and they had several hit duets.

Solo, Cash recorded AT FOLSOM PRISON, which remains his best album and a contender for the best country record of all time. Shel Silverstein gave him "A Boy Named Sue," which became Cash's only Top 10 pop hit. Cash has recorded many religious albums, including THE GOSPEL ROAD with Kris Kristofferson, Larry Gatlin, and the Statler Brothers. Cash moved to Mercury Records in 1986 and found success immediately with "The Night Hank Williams Came to Town" and an all-star album, WATER FROM THE WELLS OF HOME, with Emmylou Harris, the Everly Brothers, and Paul McCartney. His contribution to country music is inestimable. minimize