Personal File (2CD) (Digi-Pak) (CD Slipcase)

Just when you thought you'd heard all of Johnny Cash's catalog, surprise! There's more: Personal File are Cash's home studio recordings. Laid down for the most part in 1973, archived and never heard till now, Cash's personal stash of tape gives great insight into his relationship to music and the role it played throughout his life.

The album starts with "The Letter Edged in Black," with its reference to the singer-songwriter's signature color. It's followed by a spoken intro to "There's A Mother Always Waiting at Home," dedicated to mother and father love.

Cash accompanies himself on acoustic guitar throughout. The warm and almost sentimental bent to some of the songs was not a side Cash much revealed to his public in the '70s, busy as he was writing and performing his own tough songs. Rather, these are the songs beloved by Cash as he lived and loved music in private and they reflect his connection to the old world as well as traditional American song styles.

The good old-fashioned melody, "The Winding Stream," is an old Carter family tune, written by A.P. Carter. Eventually Cash would marry into the Carter family when he and his beloved June tied the knot but prior to that, he'd been a lover of the Carter family's music and this is his tribute to them.

The voice of Cash telling stories is one of disc's supreme pleasures, as in when he recalls the first time he sang in public and follows it with the first song he ever performed for an audience: "Far Away Places." He also recalls his relationship listening to and eventually working with the legendary Louvin Brothers before he sings their dark country song, "When I Stop Dreaming."

"Louisiana Man" is Cash's version of the John Prine song, recorded at a 1980 session. He gives his Southern touch to "Galway Bay," a love letter to Ireland. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" is a spoken word track, a recitation of a poem by Robert Service. Cash contributes a number of originals to his personal files like "A Fast Song," which he describes as inspired by a performance by Jack Clement.

Disc two is a collection of sacred songs, some original and others written by others like the gentle song of praise "Wildwood in the Pines," by his ex-son-in-law Rodney Crowell as well as the traditional gospel number, "Farther Along" and the chant of faith,"Lord, Lord, Lord."

This rare glimpse into a songwriter's personal tape drawer can best be likened to found treasure. It's not often that after an artist's death, we are treated to such a top quality collection from the archives, one seemingly prepared as intended to be released after death. Of course leave it to the Man in Black to think of that!

By Daisy Duarte