This disc, originally released in 1980, is an odd duck. It's neither rockabilly nor blues, and despite the occasional moderne backing sounds, Cash's resonant baritone maintains its typical command of center stage. Perhaps most interesting is the song selection, featuring several new Cash tunes, as well as songs by pop-craftsman (and one time Cash son-in-law) Nick Lowe, outlaws Kris Kristofferson and Billy Joe Shaver, the legendary Steve Goodman and John Prine and country stalwart (and also one time Cash son-in-law) Rodney Crowell. In addition, many of the songwriters turn up as players, augmented by country luminaries such as June Carter Cash, and British new-wave stars like Dave Edmunds and Pete Thomas. It's quite a crowd, but producer Earl Ball keeps it focussed.

Cash has challenged himself with several up-tempo songs and a band that can swing a bit wide of Nashville standard time. Still, Nick Lowe's "Without Love" sounds uncannily like a Johnny Cash song, and Billy Joe Shaver's "The Cowboy Who Started The Fight" provides exactly the sort of narrative on which Cash's voice finds authority.

Nothing here is as hauntingly effective as Cash's earliest sides with the Tennessee Two, but neither is this the sound of a great artist coasting. It may not be the right disc to begin one's appreciation of Johnny Cash, but it's a great place to view his on-going legacy.

This man deserves every ounce of respect that is given to him. I love the guy. This disc was recorded at a time in his career that he admitted to being creatively stuck. While this disc has it's moments,(Billy Joe Shaver's "The Cowboy who Started a Fight,") overall, this one ranks as average. It wasn't till a few years later that he bounced back, but boy, did he ever bounce back! This might be one to pass on, and skip over to his early 90's releases.

I can only remember 1 song "The Twentieth Century is almost over" from this album . But it is a great song, played by Bob Harris on his radio 2 propram back in late 1999. It sounds amazing. I know given Jonny Cash's Telephone directory voice this is not saying that much, but is still great to listen to. For me it brings back a lot of memories of that time i.e. the Millenium bug Hysteria. The song may be available on other compilation albums so that may be an option.