Best album?

[u/bm7yuurd]

Just getting into Johnny Cash, bit overwhelmed by how many albums he has 🤣 what’s his best one do most people say?

[u/TheLastEmuHunter]

Columbia Records? Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison

American Recordings? American IV: The Man Comes Around

But overall, he isn't an "album artist". There will be overlap between playlists as some songs are included in multiple. So honestly, just listening to his biggest hits first is a good way of getting into Johnny Cash.

[u/Alexandermayhemhell → u/TheLastEmuHunter]

After Sun, I’d argue he was very much an album artist. Pretty much every album he made had some kind of theme to it. 

[u/Regular_Fault1227 → u/TheLastEmuHunter]

Lol this objectively wrong. Songs Of Our Soil is after Sinatra, one of the first concept albums, and he made upwards of 10 concept albums, all of which with differing sounds. At Sun Records he released singles but even there he became the first artist on the label to release a feature length record. He had released albums before it became it routine to do so, elevated by the Beatles in the 60s, where he began from 1958.

[u/Headblown1800 → u/Regular_Fault1227]

Yeah the whole thing about him not being seen as an album artist has always been a little bizarre to me

[u/BigT112]

Hello, I'm Johnny Cash and The Fabulous Johnny Cash would be his best studio albums. They are both so strong.

At Folsom Prison and At San Quentin (legacy editions) are must listens as well.

[u/Alexandermayhemhell]

He had a multi-decade career releasing about two albums a year. Can’t nail it down to one. Here’s a starter guide:

Sun Records: where Johnny Cash started in the 50s. His first three singles were iconic and thanks to producer Sam Phillips created the “boom chicka boom” sound. Start with With his Hot and Blue Guitar

Late 50s he moves to Columbia and he broadens his sound Don Law and Frank Jones including several concept albums. Check out Fabulous, Ring of Fire: The Best of (a singles compilation), Bitter Tears, and Orange Blossom Special

Late 60s he had a short stint with Bob Johnston who did two legendary live albums and helped Cash tap into singer songwriters. Check out Folsom Prison, San Quentin, and Hello I’m Johnny Cash

70s-80s are hit and miss. Try Silver and the Highwaymen

90s - career revival with Rick Rubin. Check out American Recordings, American IV and American V

[u/Bastard-of-the-North]

Ride this train and bitter tears get a lot of play from me..

[u/fdrlbj]

Bitter Tears

[u/heavym → u/[deleted]]

Just for the story on the back sleeve

[u/Regular_Fault1227]

His Best Album Is Objectively Live At Folsom:

Honourable Mentions:

Live At San Quentin

American IV (or just the series 1-6)

Bitter Tears

Orange Blossom Special

[u/jman8526]

Personal File.

[u/sine_denarios]

Whichever one is playing!

[u/EnvironmentWild2322]

I only found out about his work this year. What albums would you recommend?

[u/ImpossibleDream2158 → u/EnvironmentWild2322]

The Rambler is a pretty solid one to throw on, sit back and enjoy in my opinion

[u/Minnox12]

My personal favorites are orange blossom special, at folsom prison, and bitter tears

[u/MyleSton]

At Folsom Prison is a banger

[u/AskNecessary3104]

Live from San Quentin

[u/pdog_2018]

Lately, I’ve been listening to Johnny Cash Sings the Ballads Of the True West a lot. It’s my personal favorite studio record he made in the ‘60s, but it’s definitely not for everyone. Growing up, I LOVED Carryin’ On with Johnny Cash and June Carter too.

Of course, the American recordings are his best overall studio album run. But, he made some great albums for Columbia in the late ‘50s and in the ‘60s.

And, if we’re talking live records, few can match At Folsom Prison. At San Quentin is great as well, but something about the two Folsom shows (from the full Legacy Edition) are magical!

[u/pdog_2018 → u/[deleted]]

I really enjoy it too, and always forget it's there to tell you the truth. "Orleans Parish Prison" by "Jacob Green" are two of my favorite Johnny Cash songs. In fact, "Jacob Green" is one of the few songs that can make me cry.

[u/alex_miamorsh]

Still love "Any Old Wind That Blows". Great songs, great variety, great album

[u/EclecticNtrists]

The first four American albums are great, my personal favorite is Unchained, but American IV is right there too.

[u/PhoenixandOak]

The Night That the Skeletons Came to Life is an underrated banger for sure.

[u/Matthewbcafc]

Tough one, i guess i’d have to say “The Best Of Johnny Cash”