Vinyl Vlog 120

A deeper look at the grooves pressed into the vinyl reissue of  …With His Hot Blue Guitar! by Johnny Cash.

Johnny Cash with His Hot Blue Guitar! is a tough album to discuss in 2016 because, honestly, what can we say about Johnny Cash and his music which hasn’t been said countless times already? The man had an incredible impact on world culture and his music is such a big part of American culture that it’s simply embedded in its DNA. In addition, the man’s influence transcends all imaginable musical boundaries; he is appreciated by everyone from the assholes, to the intellectuals, to the people who can’t spell “boundaries.”

When one speaks of Johnny Cash, I think it’s perfectly safe to ignore his later gospel years and even the American Recordings; which have served to introduce the man’s music to a new generation and sadly made his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” far too ubiquitous. Remember, I said assholes love Johnny Cash too, right? But it’s the early years at Sun Records which get to core of what Johnny Cash’s music is. All that stuff’s been collected over and over again – even Time Life put together a great box set of that era of the man’s music. But compilations aren’t albums. They are composed of isolated trips, and don’t offer the full ride. For this full ride, it’s hard to find a better album than his debut, Johnny Cash and His Hot Blue Guitar. The album is a masterpiece of folk music and action packed with songs that made the man’s music so great like “(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle,” “Cry Cry Cry,” “I Walk the Line,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Can you even picture music today without these songs?

Sundazed also did us a favor and put this album is a slick and classy edition pressed on heavy black vinyl enclosed in a strong and sturdy jacket. All the glory of the original preserved the way it should be. Really, it’s the only way to own this record.

I said this might be a tough review to write, but maybe it’s the easiest. You can’t be a fan of music or pop culture or even history without having heard this album. You should have this. Everyone should.

Artist:

http://www.johnnycash.com/

https://www.facebook.com/johnnycash/

https://twitter.com/johnnycash

Album:
Get the Sundazed version of this album here:
http://www.sundazed.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=2684

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