The Legend [Columbia] [Box] (CD - 2005)

Personnel: Johnny Cash (vocals, guitar); Waylon Jennings, Elvis Costello, Billy Joe Shaver, Bob Dylan (vocals, guitar); Rodney Crowell, Rosanne Cash, Ray Charles (vocals); Bob Johnson (guitar, mandocello); Dave Edmunds, Doc Watson, Jack Clement, Jerry Hensley, Jerry Reed, Marty Stewart, Merle Watson, Randy Scruggs, Ray Edenton, Billy Lee Riley, Billy Sanford, Luther Perkins, Bob Wootton, Carl Perkins (guitar); Don Helms, Pete Drake (steel guitar); Norman Blake (dobro); Mother Maybelle Carter (autoharp); Rufus Long (flute); Charlie McCoy (harmonica); Jo-El Sonnier (accordion); Floyd Cramer, Ben Tench, Bill Pursell (piano); Larry Butler , Hargus "Pig" Robbins (keyboards); Brian Eno (synthesizer); Nick Lowe (bass guitar); Kenny Malone, Buddy Harman (drums); Flood (loops).

Few artists in any genre can rival the recorded legacy of Johnny Cash, so it's impressive that Columbia took on the daunting task of compiling a box set that spans his career from 1955 to 2002. While this collection doesn't feature tracks from any of Cash's acclaimed albums for the American label, it does present a few songs recorded during that '90s/early-'00s era, offering listeners selections that touch upon each decade of the country superstar's studio output.

With its thematically arranged CDs, THE LEGEND revisits a number of Cash's finest Sun singles, showcasing his unmistakable deep voice and signature "boom-chicka-boom" sound on classics such as "I Walk the Line" and "Folsom Prison Blues." The bulk of the songs here, however, come from Cash's extensive Columbia '58-'86 run, most notably the passionate "Ring of Fire" (co-penned by his future wife, June Carter) and "A Boy Named Sue," his tongue-in-cheek narrative hit. The fourth disc focuses on Cash's many collaborations, presenting the Man in Black paired with everyone from the Carter Family to Bob Dylan to U2. While longtime Cash fans may own many of these recordings, this set is ideal for aficionados of his latter-day American albums who want an excellent overview of his truly legendary history. minimize