Ride This Train - Johnny Cash > Reviews > The Man In Black at his best

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it rate alongside the competition	Outstanding
Value for Money	Good

Advantages:	Great travelogue in music of the Old West
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

This is a fascinating album presenting Johnny Cash as a singer and a narrator. Each track is preceded by the haunting sound in the background of a steam locomotive and its whistle while Johnny tells a story of the song he is about to sing.

Track 1 - Loading Coal (4mins.59secs.)

The travelogue begins with a recital of place-names of America and continues with the thundering names of the indian tribes who lived here first. Then Johnny boards the train, stopping first at a small town in the mining country of Kentucky. He presents a brief character sketch of a boy whose father is a miner. "Loading Coal" tells the story of a miner who never expects to get rich but still follows the tradition of his family.

Track 2 - Slow Rider(4.10)

The train then moves westward onto the prairies where we meet the outlaw John Wesley Hardin, whose murderous life is described with sincerity. Then we meet another westerner, a saddle tramp who rides an old horse. His life is nearly over, he misses his daughters and his wife, but he tries to keep on singing.

Track 3 - Lumberjack(3.03)

Johnny next takes us still further west to Oregon into lumberjack country and outlines a young man's first day as a high-climber(which I think is self-explanatory). Among the lessons he learns is "don't cut timber on a windy day!"

Track 4 - Dorraine of Ponchartrain(4.47)

Now the train takes us south and east to the swamps and forests of Louisiana. Johnny sings a tragic ballad of "Dorraine of Ponchartrain" the black-eyed beauty who was lost in a boat on the lake.

Track 5 - Going to Memphis(4.22)

The train now goes northward to Mississippi and its levees and the constant fight against flood waters. In this sequence Johnny sings a striking song of the convict work-gangs.

Track 6 - When Papa Played The Dobro(2.54)

Eastward now to South Carolina. Here Johnny sketches the delights of going to a country fair in a buckboard and the pleasure of a child listening to the dance music. The Dobro is an old-fashioned metal-stringed instrument similar to a guitar.

Track 7 - Boss Jack(3.56)

Arkansas is the next stop on the journey. Johnny describes the cotton land, particularly the old days of tall cotton, through the eyes of an enlightened slave-owner, and sings a worksong about a good boss and his kindness to the people who worked for him.

Track 8 - Old Doc Brown(4.10)

Once more the train rumbles across America stopping at last in Iowa, where the influx of Irish immigrants is noted. The story of "Old Doc Brown"is a moving account of the local doctor, recited by Johnny. You'll need a handkerchief for this one!

Summary

Johnny Cash's brilliant performance on this album is yet another indication of this man's huge talent. A must for all Johnny Cash fans.

This album also contains 4 bonus tracks which are typical Johnny Cash country ballads. They are:

The Fable of Willie Brown(1.54)

Second Honeymoon(1.54)

The Ballad of The Harpweaver(3.47)

Smiling Bill McCall(2.05)

All tracks were recorded in December 1959 and February 1960.

I first bought this album on vinyl in the 60's. I was over the moon when I saw that it was available on CD.