Cash, Johnny - The Complete Columbia Albums 1958-62 3CD

Johnny Cash broke the mould of country and rockabilly music in the mid-1950s, readily transcending the genres to have over 40 pop and country hits between his 1955 debut and 1962, including five country No. 1s. However, after he moved from Sun to Columbia in 1958, he released albums on a regular basis and became a major album seller. This 89-track 3-CD collection comprises all the tracks from eight of his original vinyl LPs on Columbia from these years. It features "The Fabulous Johnny Cash", "Hymns", "Songs Of Our Soil", "Now, There Was A Song", "Ride This Train", "Hymns From The Heart", "The Sound Of Johnny Cash" and "Blood Sweat & Tears". The music ranges from mainstream pop/country, featuring many of Johnny's original songs, to country songs with a religious message, and material that harks back to pioneer roots, some with spoken narratives. It's a varied and enjoyable showcase for one of the true originals of the era, and captures the many facets of his talent and outlook in a substantial overview of this key period in his career.