The Unissued Johnny Cash cover

The Unissued Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash · 1978

26 min · 12 tracks · blues

Raw, unpolished recordings reveal Cash's signature blend of country twang and bluesy lamentations.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Mama's Baby Start here — This track opens the album with a compelling narrative about familial connections, setting the tone for the rest of the collection.
  • →
    Fool's Hall of Fame — With its poignant lyrics about heartbreak and regret, this song exemplifies Cash's ability to convey deep emotion within simple structures.
  • →
    Shamrock Doesn't Grow in California — This track stands out for its introspective lyrics that reflect a longing for roots and authenticity, themes prevalent throughout Cash’s work.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • quick bursts of storytelling
  • intimate moments of reflection
  • raw emotion with unpolished charm
  • nostalgic echoes of simpler times

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of polished production
  • fans of lengthy compositions

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A collection of unreleased tracks showcasing Cash's blues and country roots.
Themes
outlaw persona· blues-infused storytelling· narrative folklore
Career context
By 1978, Johnny Cash was navigating a period of reinvention after his earlier commercial peak in the 1960s. This album was released during a time when he sought to revisit and share unreleased material from his extensive catalog, showcasing his enduring influence in American music.
Stylistic neighbors
Willie Nelson· Merle Haggard· Waylon Jennings
New to Johnny Cash? Find your way in →

Tracklist

  • 1 Mama's Baby Start here 2:21
  • 2 Fool's Hall of Fame 2:07
  • 3 Walkin' the Blues 2:12
  • 4 Gold Shoulder 1:52
  • 5 Viel Zu Spät 2:13
  • 6 Wo Ist Zu Hause, Mama 1:55
  • 7 The Fable of Willie Brown 1:57
  • 8 The Losing Kind 1:50
  • 9 So Do I 2:21
  • 10 Shamrock Doesn't Grow in California 2:40
  • 11 The Danger Zone 2:15
  • 12 I'll Be All Smiles Tonight 2:51

What to play next

I Would Like to See You Again
Listen next

I Would Like to See You Again

1978

Continues the raw, emotional depth with a mix of reflective and personal themes.
Johnny & June
Go back to

Johnny & June

1978

Sets the stage with intimate collaborations that lead into the unpolished nature of the current album.
Full Johnny Cash discography Where to start with Johnny Cash Artists like Johnny Cash
blues traditional folk music

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Red Headed Stranger

Red Headed Stranger

Willie Nelson

Shares outlaw themes and stripped-down storytelling with a focus on raw emotion.

Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

Live at the Old Quarter, Houston, Texas

Townes Van Zandt

Features poignant narrative folk songs that echo Cash's blues-infused storytelling.

Grievous Angel

Grievous Angel

Gram Parsons

Combines country and rock with an emotional depth that resonates with Cash's artistic exploration.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata