If you're thinking of investing in your first Cash concept album, i'd recommend Ride This Train (1960). Try that, see if you like it. I loved Ride This Train, but wasn't as impressed by America, and sort of regretted paying retail for it. Like most of the Cash concept albums, its well under thirty minutes total, and each of the songs are slight two-minute affairs, the rest being made up by the between-song narration. In Ride This Train, the narration is backed by the sound of a train, which works quite well. On America, Cash just narrates in silence, and it doesn't work as well. I think Ride This Train has better songs, too. Preview 'Loading Coal,' opening track of Ride This Train, with its crisp production and assured vocal, and see for yourself.

I can't say enough about this CD. Like previous viewers, I too wore out this cassette as a child listening to it on family vacations. I know every word and song and basically this is how I began to learn American History. I was thrilled to see it available on CD a few years ago. Combination song and "spoken word," Johnny is in top form. Well, better go because "I'm goin' west to Kentuck, down the road to moccasin gap!"

Johnny Cash is cleary an icon in country music, but he is often neglected when the great folk singers come to mind. This album is clearly a testament to his versatility. I have been blown away by his recent releases from American Recordings. Rick Rubin seemed to call back to a period when Johnny was doing great folk cuts with a hillbilly twist (Unchained); and in this collection I see where it may have started. Big Foot, The West, and Paul Revere have an honesty that only one can display when they really care about the subject at hand. Guthrie, Elliot, and Dylan all have and had it; and Johnny Cash belongs in their category! During these patriotic times people often look to art as a window of escape. Johnny Cash does that with these songs; and I don't believe anybody loves America more than he does! Buy this with confidence. Enjoy!

Let me tell you, this was one of my favorite tapes that finally wore out... Now that it is on CD listening to it again clean and crisp is a pleasure. Ablums with songs like this are a hard find. you have to have this one if you like Johnny Cash.

Used to have this on 8 track tape now have it on cd. Someone took the tape and never returned it. A history in song of hapenings in this contry.