Sam Phillips produced most of these tracks, and the few helmed by Jack Clement are mercifully short on his chorus and background overdubs. These are sparse tic-tac (or, in this case, click-clack) Tennessee Three arrangements, giving Cash's baritone plenty of space to shine. Varese's reissue adds a generous six bonus tracks, including originally unissued alternate takes of "Hey, Porter!" and "Train of Love," and an incomplete, originally unissued take of Jimmie Rodgers' "Brakeman's Blues." Two solo takes from Cash, a rockin'-gospel "Leave That Junk Alone" and 1954 rockabilly "You're My Baby (Little Woolly Booger)" are also both worthy additions.

Considering that these songs were recorded individually, over a five year period, there's a remarkable consistency and continuity. That's due in part to Cash and his band, but it also speaks to Sun's intention for this to be more than a slap-dash collection of previously issued tracks. This may not have been recorded as an album, but it sure plays like a good one!


"musical journey on the Rock Island Line ~ Blue Train"   September 26, 2003
J. Lovins (Missouri-USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Varese has released early Sun recordings by the legendary icon known as "The Man in Black" aka Johnny Cash ~ his 1962 "All Aboard the Blue Train", featuring 12 originals from that album, plus 6 bonus tracks of alternate takes and previously unreleased material. His style and voice is instantly recognizable whether it is gospel, blues, rock or country. When Cash sang it touched most of us and conveyed the plight of the common man.

It's been some 40 years or more of listening to Johnny and the selections on this album is some of his best works from the early days. The sound quality of "ROCK ISLAND LINE", "HEY PORTER!", "THE WRECK OF OLD '97" and "FOLSOM PRISON BLUES" is quite amazing as his lyrics touches the heartstrings. But my favorite and highlight is "GOODBYE LITTLE DARLIN'", a Gene Autry compostion that I thought only Gene could sing, just listen to Cash pour his heart out and singing like I've never heard him before.

Stand up and take a bow Varese Records as we sample track to track a collectible reissue of a most enjoyable listen. John's guitar work is crisp and shows his incredible talent. You feel as if big John's right there with you ~ he will be sorely missed, but with the help of labels like Varese we can enjoy his God given talent. He is riding that train and we'll all be with him some day!

Total Time: 40:00 on 18 Tracks ~ Varese 64872 ~ (9/09/2003)


Original Sun Recordings   September 20, 2003
Darrin Warren (Osburn, Idaho)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

The late great Johnny Cash will never be forgotten. This disc is is a reissue of an album on Sun from 1963. Johnny recorded many train songs over the years and many of his earliest are here. Verese Sarabande is a great reissue label which has released other Sun albums by Cash on CD as well. The Man in Blacks music will live on forever.