Hymns by Johnny Cash
Hymns by Johnny Cash is the fifth album and first gospel album by Johnny Cash. The album was produced in 1958 and was then officially released in 1959. An alternate version of the song It was Jesus was an added bonus track after the album was re-issued in 2002. Cash said he left Sun Records because Sam Phillips would not let him record a gospel album.[5] Columbia promised him to release an occasional gospel album; this was a success for him to record. The album was Cash’s first and most popular gospel album, and is an example of traditional hymns set to country gospel music. The album was recorded simultaneously with The Fabulous Johnny Cash.[6]
| Hymns by Johnny Cash | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | March 2, 1959 | |||
| Recorded | July 24, 1958 - January 23, 1959 | |||
| Studio | Bradley Film and Recording Studio (Nashville) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 26:40 | |||
| Label | Columbia[1] | |||
| Producer | Don Law | |||
| Johnny Cash chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [2] |
| The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [3] |
| The Rolling Stone Album Guide | [4] |
Critical reception
The Rolling Stone Album Guide deemed the album "fairly uninspiring."[4] Billboard called It Was Jesus and I Saw a Man "outstanding."[7]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recording date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "It Was Jesus" | John R. Cash | July 24, 1958 | 2:08 |
| 2. | "I Saw a Man" | Arthur Smith | January 23, 1959 | 2:36 |
| 3. | "Are All the Children In" | Craig Starrett | January 23, 1959 | 1:58 |
| 4. | "The Old Account" | Traditional; arranged by J. R. Cash | January 13, 1959 | 2:29 |
| 5. | "Lead Me Gently Home" | Will L. Thompson | January 23, 1959 | 2:04 |
| 6. | "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" | Traditional; arranged and adapted by J. R. Cash | January 13, 1959 | 1:56 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recording date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Snow in His Hair" | Marshall Pack | January 13, 1959 | 2:24 |
| 2. | "Lead Me Father" | J. R. Cash | August 13, 1958 | 2:31 |
| 3. | "I Call Him" |
| January 23, 1959 | 1:50 |
| 4. | "These Things Shall Pass" | Stuart Hamblen | January 23, 1959 | 2:20 |
| 5. | "He'll Be a Friend" | J. R. Cash | January 23, 1959 | 2:00 |
| 6. | "God Will" | January 13, 1959 | 2:24 |
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Recording date | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "It Was Jesus" (Mono EP Version) | J. R. Cash | July 24, 1958 | 2:04 |
Personnel
Musicians
- Johnny Cash - Arranger, Leader, Vocals, Main Performer, Guitar
- Luther Perkins - Guitar
- Don Helms - Steel Guitar
- Marshall Grant - Bass
- Marvin Hughes - Piano
- Buddy Harman - Drums
- Morris Palmer - Drums on "Lead Me Father"
- The Jordanaires - Background vocals
Additional personnel
- Al Quaglieri - Producer
- Don Law - Producer
- Seth Foster - Mastering
- Mark Wilder - Mastering, Mixing
- Hal Adams - Photography
- Don Hunstein - Photography
- Stacey Boyle - Tape Research
- Matt Kelly - Tape Research
- Kay Smith - Tape Research
- Steven Berkowitz - A&R
- Darren Salmieri - A&R
- Patti Matheny - A&R
- Howard Fritzson - Art Direction
- Randall Martin - Design
- Nick Shaffran - Consultant
- Johnny Whiteside - Liner Notes
References
- Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). "Goldmine Record Album Price Guide". Penguin – via Google Books.
- Hymns by Johnny Cash at AllMusic
- Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 240.
- The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 115, 117.
- Ollison, Rashod D. "Man in Black brought rebel's spirit to music". baltimoresun.com.
- Light, Alan (October 23, 2018). "Johnny Cash: The Life and Legacy of the Man in Black". Smithsonian Institution – via Google Books.
- "The Billboard Spotlight Winners of the Week". Billboard. 71 (13): 31. March 30, 1959.
