The Essential Johnny Cash

I cant believe that they edited this. Johnny Cash is a legend. They seriously bleeped out cuss words? Who do they think is buying this? A preacher? The girl scouts? Buy the original pressings. I know it costs more that way, but this is just frustrating. I feel ripped off.

I know that 99% of you aren’t going to read this review because you know what you’re getting. I had the cd version of this album but just wanted it on vynil.... we’ll prepare to be disappointed. Like other reviews on here which I wish I had read beforehand, I must state my absolute disgust with the fact that this record is edited. “I’m the bleeeeeeeep that named you sue” will never be played on my phonograph again. Returning this abortion of a collection from one of the greatest artists of all time. I don’t know one soul that would want to hear that awful bleep instead of those badass lyrics. About time amazon forces this seller into adding “edited” to the description.

Boy Named Sue is censored. That is how it was released originally, so if you grew up with that you probably don't care. If you grew up with one of the more modern releases without the censoring it is super annoying. Not mentioned in the listing. One of the records was warped so back it goes. (As a side note, how do modern new records get released and sold with big warp issues? Does it happen after they are pressed or just hope people won't care? Quality Control that poor seems somewhat laughable in this day and age.)

One of two albums I ordered that the manufacturing looks like they used a dull bit to drill the center hole. For the top cost of buying music, you would expect better.

I was initially looking at one of the more expensive compilations that had some of the newer Rick Rubin produced songs, but the price made me consider this album instead. This is a great selection of Cash's work up to about the 1980's. I am 60, and much of this is music that my Dad liked, and which I would never have listened to when it came out. Yes, its not complete. It does not have every single good song he performed. But, you cannot get all the best songs on 2 Vinyl discs, so I think the selection here is great compromise. I like the duets with June Carter Cash, and Bob Dylan, and there are some great standards like Folsom Prison Blues. As I listen to the tracks over and over, I may decide to buy a few more of his records, but for now, this quenches my musical thirst for The Man in Black. The recording quality is very good, but not spectacular. Some of these songs were recorded in studio with a single mic, or maybe only a few mics. Often they were mixed intended for mono playback, and then re-mixed for stereo, but the sound is very good for the age of the recordings. It varies from song to song as I imagine the master tapes varied in quality. As some reviewers here noted, the quality control of the vinyl could use improvement. I returned the first set because they had warps and off-center holes which make the disc spin in a way that the cartridge moves left and right because of the disc, and not because of the grooves. Amazon is great, replaced it in 2 days, and the new one was much better, but also as noted, the holes were not drilled/punched properly. This is not the only new vinyl I have gotten with this problem, so I keep a drill bit handy that I use by hand to clean out the center hole. Once that was done, the new discs played well. Very happy with this purchase

I've listened to a fair amount of Johnny Cash in my life, mainly because his music is nearly everywhere. What I'd never done was listened closely to understand the words, sounds, and messages. In listening to this album I felt like I experienced the arc of Cash's career, and his growth as a human being. Trying to compress the career of Johnny Cash into one album is like trying to compress the career of Bob Dylan, Metallica, JayZ, or KRSOne. Really difficult to do, and impossible to please hardcore fans. But an excellent introduction to the work of this great musician.

I bought this as a gift for a friend who's into earlier country music. What better than the man in black, right? Indeed, this was the perfect gift for him. Classic Cash. Album arrived very well protected and packaged - it was pristine and sealed and I was pleased to gift it.

I had bought this album because my fiancee and I enjoy Johnny Cash and was very excited to listen to the records when I received it today. To my disappointment I only got side A and B the first disc, there was no disc 2 to be found. I have no idea how only one disc could have got put into the slip cover and got cleared to go. Thankfully I can return this for a full refund and will not get this again.

Great collection. I would've loved it if Hurt was in this collection, too.

Excellent compilation of Cash’s recordings.Sounds great on vinyl 👍

Great vinyl

Great collection of songs

plays perfect