As Johnny Cash's son was clearing out his old recording studio, he came across hundreds of "unreleased" songs (no doubt more of which will be heard in the non-too distant future). The most intriguing by all accounts were a selection titled "Personal File" from which all 49 brand new tracks on this collection are taken from.
Recorded mostly in 1973/74 (although some tracks on the collection were recorded as late as 1982), these feature Johnny Cash and his guitar. Nothing else. Most of the songs (but not all) are covers, spanning a century (or more) of music. And all seem to have special relevance for the Man In Black. Indeed its probable, as one listens, that Cash never intended these songs for public consumption, but the decision to release them is a welcome one indeed.
This is Cash the storyteller at work and there is a real sense of what made the man throughout this excellent compilation. Many songs are preceeded with tales of why he was chosing to sing them, or why they meant so much to him. On disc one, the overall effect is almost like a personal "evening" with Johnny Cash, as you alone listen to him whilst drinking an ice cold beer on the porch. On disc two, with its heavy religious and spritual tone, it's like eavesdropping on Cash's conversation with the man upstairs.
Of course, if you don't like Johnny Cash, this collection is not for you. But if you've ever liked the man or the music, this is an experience you simply cannot afford to miss. The film Walk The Line did a halfway decent job of portraying Johnny Cash the man, but this collection takes you right to the heart of him. It's proof that despite all the hype, Johnny Cash truly is an icon and a legend.
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