Johnny Cash
McIntosh Sessions, Volume 2: Pure Johnny Cash (Sun Records)
Once we had recovered from the false start caused by the fact that this 2LP set is to be played at 45rpm (something that always throws us), this new collaboration between the legendary Sun Records and the exemplary McIntosh Labs leads to nothing but joy.
"McIntosh Sessions Volume 2: Pure Johnny Cash is an exclusive 18-track double album that revives the energy and emotional depth of Cash’s early years through meticulously restored and rarely heard recordings," a press release reads. ":This collection offers a unique glimpse into Cash’s beginnings at Sun Records, with alternative and exceptional versions of classics like 'Train of Love,' 'Ballad of a Teenage Queen,' and 'I Walk the Line.' Each track has been carefully remastered from the original analog tapes, resulting in an engaging listening experience that captures the very essence of the 'Man in Black,' virtually placing listeners in the studio with the legend himself."
It's wonderful to be able to sit and marvel at some of the great man's early recordings, sounding crystal clear. Seriously, the people at McIntosh should be applauded for this work. "Train of Love," for example, simply sounds immense. Unrelenting, insistent, and quite brilliant.
The LPs have been pressed on 180-gram audiophile-grade 12” vinyl, which helps. Cash's famous voice resonates more than it ever did on record before.
Sam Phillips had a way of capturing lightning in a bottle, and these early recordings of Johnny Cash perfectly exemplify that,” said Chase Gregory, Senior Director A&R + Sync, Sun Records, in a statement. “Remastering them in high fidelity is a way of honoring that legacy with the care it deserves. This album is a glimpse into the recording session, as everything you hear was performed in one take with no overdubs. The result is a powerfully authentic, yet refined listening experience, that reminds us just how revolutionary Cash was from the very beginning.”
Find out more at https://shop.mcintoshlabs.com.
