J.R. from Arkansas – Part 1

I enjoyed the Johnny Cash biofilm Walk the Line (starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon) which centers on the forbidden romance between Cash and June Carter and features lots of good music. But even before the release of that movie in 2005, I had been aware of Cash- his life and his music- for nearly 15 years and this definitely enriched my appreciation of the film.

In a music career spanning nearly 50 years, Cash did it all including growing up in poverty in Arkansas, serving in the Air Force in Germany, coming up with Elvis, and falling in love with a married woman. Throughout his long career Cash battled personal demons, professed his Christian faith, created outlaw country, and embraced and encouraged his public persona as country music’s man in black. 

Cash knew lean years, fat years, and years in the ‘80s and ‘90s when nobody seemed to know his name until he experienced a surprising musical resurgence at the end of the century and achieved commercial and critical success which lasted until his death (and continues beyond the grave). Such is the power of the man’s voice and music especially those songs he recorded during his final years. Here are some of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. Enjoy!

01. Johnny Cash and June Carter – “Jackson” (1967)
02. Johnny Cash – “The Man Comes Around” (2002)
03. Johnny Cash – “Big River (Live)” (1969)
04. Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash – “If I Were a Carpenter” (1970)
05. Johnny Cash feat. the Carter Family – “(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)” (1962)
06. Johnny Cash feat. U2 – “The Wanderer” (1993)
07. Johnny Cash feat. Tom Petty– “Solitary Man” (2000)
08. Johnny Cash – “Daddy Sang Bass” (1968)
09. Johnny Cash – “In My Life” (2002)
10. Johnny Cash feat. Tom Petty – “I Won’t Back Down” (2000)

Listen to the playlist on Spotify... 

Recommended Links:

Walk the Line Trailer