Pickin' Time

The Man in Black: 1954-1958 is a five-disc box set that includes everything Johnny Cash recorded for Sun Records, plus the fruits of his first year with Columbia Records. In addition to all of the classic singles -- from "Hey Porter" to "Don't Take Your Guns to Town," they're all here -- there is a wealth of unreleased material and alternate takes, including a disc that captures an entire recording session from his early days with Columbia. The problem with the set is its very comprehensiveness -- only dedicated fans or historians can listen to this much music, especially with all of the alternate takes mixed in with the official versions. And the disc with the recording session isn't interesting -- it's a curiosity that makes for tedious listening. Certainly anyone who is willing to invest in this expensive box will find it rewarding, but only serious listeners should consider purchasing the set. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine