Walking The Line: The Legendary Sun Recordings (3CD)

Majestic, sonorous, spellbinding. long before there was country-rock, the Nashville sound, or Americana, there was Johnny Cash, who, for half a century until his death in September 2003, cast his long shadow over the musical landscape. He began his recording career alongside Elvis Presley at Sun Records and in the three years (1955-58) that Cash spent at Sun, he became the label's most prolific and best-selling artist. This collection is a comprehensive overview of that period, when Cash created and perfected the timeless, pared-down and plain spoken sound that would make him a legend. And as well as being at the forefront of the rock & roll revolution, he also helped to pioneer a wider appreciation of country music. It's clear that his spell at Sun was a formative period, not only for the man himself, but for the story of American popular music. In later years, the Man In Black would look back on his time there with mixed feelings. He appreciated the start the label had given him, but couldn't help resenting Sam Phillips' efforts to mould him into a new Elvis. And he worried that songs such as 'Sugartime', 'I Forgot To Remember To Forget' and 'It's Just About Time' lacked authenticity – although, it has to be said, they sound pretty good today!