1969 - October: Johnny Cash “Original Golden Hits, Volume I and II”

What the Riff?!?

Johnny Cash was a prolific hitmaker in the mid 50's to early 60's. In the late 60's he released a couple of live albums which had crossover appeal: "Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison," and "Johnny Cash at San Quentin." By 1969, Johnny Cash had become an international musical success, selling more records than the Beatles at the time.

Cash had left his original label, Sun Records, back in 1958. However, he had left an extensive catalogue of songs with Sam Phillips at Sun. Given his success and the upcoming Johnny Cash TV show, Sun Records decided it would be a good time to release a compilation of his earlier hits from 1954 through 1958. This compilation was released on two albums, "Original Golden Hits, Volume I" and "Original Golden Hits, Volume II," which reached numbers 4 and 3 on the US Country charts respectively.

Cash would go on to fame in TV and film in the 70's, and would continue recording up until his death in 2003.

While not strictly rock music, the Man in Black was an icon of American music and an inspiration for many in country, rock, and pop genres. It is also a special memory for Wayne, as he listened to this 8-track as he traveled with his father out of California to Alabama.

Wayne takes us through this greatest hits album for today's podcast.

Home of the Blues
The inspiration for this song was the "Home of the Blues" record shop on Beale Street in Memphis, Tennessee. The store which was open from the late 40's until the mid 70's was a place he used to hang out, buy records, and meet other musicians.

Hey Porter
This is Cash's first recorded song. The setting is just after World War II, and the song focuses on a man returning home from overseas who feels elated to be returning to his native South, the last leg of which is by train. Note that there is no percussion in this song, but Cash played his guitar with dampened strings to acquire a percussive effect.

I Walk the Line
Johnny Cash's first number 1 hit on the Billboard country charts eventually crossed over to the US pop charts, reaching number 17 and selling over 2 million copies in the United States. The lyrics reflect temptations and the need to be accountable for your actions. The frequent key changes make this song distinctive.

Get Rhythm
This was the B-side to "I Walk the Line." It was re-released in 1969 as an A-side, and went to number 60 on the Billboard pop chart.

ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:

Main theme from the television series “Fat Albert”
The origin of Bill Cosby's animated series was an animated primetime television special that first aired on NBC on November 12, 1969.

STAFF PICKS:

Birthday by Underground Sunshine
Rob starts off the staff picks with a cover of the Beatles song by a group from Wisconsin. The band had been around for a few years, but this cover helped them attain greater success. Their cover made it to number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Down on the Corner by Credence Clearwater Revival
Lynch's staff pick is one of the best known songs by CCR. The song talks about a band called "Willy and the Poor Boys" playing in the street for spare change. It went to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 by the end of 1969.

I Can't Get Next to You by The Temptations
Bruce gets us all moving with the number 1 single from David Ruffin, Melvin Franklin, Otis Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams - better known as The Temptations. This was the second of four number 1 hits from the group, and was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for the Motown label.

I'm Tired by Savoy Brown
Wayne's staff pick charted at number 74 on the top 100, and has a very heavy electric blues feel. Three members of this group out of London would go on to form Foghat. The group's name came from American Blues label Savoy Records - a name that had an elegant sound. "Brown" was added as an extremely plain word that contrasted nicely with the elegance of "Savoy."

INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:

Treat by Santana
Santana would produce a number of excellent instrumental hits during his decades in the rock scene, and this one is from his debut album.

Thanks for listening to “What the Riff?!?”

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