Thereโ€™s a glut of Johnny Cash compilations on the market but Lonesome In Black, a peerless collection of 40 songs from the Sun years between 1955-58, is a must-have. Itโ€™s pointless to argue whether these early slices of earthy rockabilly represent Cashโ€™s best period, as the totality of his work stands as a testament to his genius over half a century. But โ€œI Walk The Lineโ€, โ€œHey Porterโ€, โ€œBig Riverโ€ et al are the foundation stone.

If you donโ€™t already own these classic sides then buy this collection just for the way the great man sings, โ€œI shot a man in Reno just to see him dieโ€ on โ€œFolsom Prison Bluesโ€. Essential.