Retro Reviews: Johnny Cash: Orange Blossom Special

     I decided to launch a new series to imagine myself as a critic at the end of the 60s and start of the 70s, and to rectify certain reviews from Rolling Stone magazine and Creem. This not meant to be contrarian, but to offer a more balanced perspective. All the albums reviewed are indeed classic albums.

Johnny Cash: Orange Blossom Special (1965)

****1/2

Producers: Don Law, Frank Jones

Musicians: Johnny Cash, June Carter, Luther Perkins, Norman Blake, Ray Edenton, Marshall Grant, W.S. Holland, Bill Pursell, Charlie McCoy, Bill McElhiney, Boots Randolph

Songs: Orange Blossom Special, The Long Black Veil, It Ain’t Me Babe, The Wall, Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright, You Wild Colorado, Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind, When It’s Springtime In Alaska (It’s Forty Below), Danny Boy, Wildwood Flower, Amen

Reviewed by Matthew Anthony Allair

    Following themed releases like Bitter Tears from last year, or the earlier Ride This Train from 1960, Cash has now focused on a collection of songs once again. He had started out in the 50s as an originator of Rockabilly and Rock N Roll, and in spite of his recent association with County and Western, he seems open to youthful song writers. He bridges the gap between the past scene and new voices. Which brings us to one of the more interesting points - Johnny’s recordings of three Bob Dylan songs. I can’t think of two figures who are more in sync with each other creatively, Cash may not write as many songs as he used to, but the pairing of these two talents for the future is exciting to consider. Cash wrote two songs for the album. His affinity for selecting material is nearly unmatched.

    The opening title track has Luther Perkins distinctive driving rhythm, the harp manages to sound somewhere between a train whistle and a fiddle, it is in the tradition of many rail line songs, the saxophone solo is playful. “The Long Black Veil” has become part of the traditional selections in the country scene. The Dylan cover, “It Ain’t Me Bade” features June Carter, and the horn section has the same Mariachi or Banda flavor from “Ring Of Fire”, it’s not surprising this became the single. “The Wall” follows the same tradition of his prison songs like “Folsom Prison Blues”. The next Dylan recording is “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” which features a brisk rhythm grove. The first half closes with a Cash number, “You Wild Colorado”, Cash has always had an affinity of nature and ‘wide open spaces’, a very simple guitar and vocal ballad.

    The second half opens with the third Dylan track, “Mama, You’ve Been On My Mind”, once again a playful horn solo ornaments the number. “When It’s Springtime In Alaska (It’s Forty Below”, June Carter offers vocal support and takes a partial lead on the track, another stripped down piece. Johnny’s second original song is the more socially conscious “All of Gods Children Ain’t Free”, it is interesting that Cash didn’t select any of Dylan’s topical social pieces, but more relationship-built songs. Cash opens “Danny Boy” with a long narration about his father, and his first exposure to the song, before the plaintive acoustic guitar and vocal, supported by background singers and a sparce flute. Cash has an uncanny ability with narratives and addressing the audience to have a broad appeal. “Wildwood Flower” has a poetic narrative behind it. Some good support from the rhythm guitarist on the track. The album closes with the rousing gospel of “Amen” with some spry piano work and a choir. The album manages to feel rather varied, and while it embraces the country sensibility, it manages to be accessible as well.

    As a follow up to last years I Walk The Line album, this is a very, very good record. Recommended.