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The Fabulous Johnny Cash

by Johnny Cash

Released: November 03, 1958

Country

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Why This Album Matters

This album matters because its strongest editorial story is: Genre Shift.

The Album

"The Fabulous Johnny Cash" is the second studio album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on November 3, 1958, as his first album with Columbia Records following his departure from Sun Records. The album includes five tracks written by Cash, featuring backing vocals by The Jordanaires, who were also known for their work with Elvis Presley at RCA Records. Additionally, it was released on 180 gram vinyl for Record Store Day on November 23, 2012.

Inside the Recording

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Johnny Cash - The Fabulous Johnny Cash

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Then

Reception

Although Billboard did not have a dedicated chart for country albums in 1958, the album reached No. 19 on the Billboard Best Selling LPs chart. Commercially, The Fabulous Johnny Cash was a strong debut for Cash on Columbia, selling over half a million copies upon its initial release.

Now

Legacy

Despite its short runtime of 29 minutes, the album is regarded as one of Cash's most cohesive works, as the recording sessions were completed within a two-month period, a significant contrast to the lengthy sessions he experienced at Sun Records. In 2002, the album was reissued by Sony Music's Legacy imprint, which included six bonus tracks and unedited versions of the original songs.

Full background

The Complete Album Story

"The Fabulous Johnny Cash" is the second studio album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on November 3, 1958, as his first album with Columbia Records following his departure from Sun Records. The album includes five tracks written by Cash, featuring backing vocals by The Jordanaires, who were also known for their work with Elvis Presley at RCA Records. Despite its short runtime of 29 minutes, the album is regarded as one of Cash's most cohesive works, as the recording sessions were completed within a two-month period, a significant contrast to the lengthy sessions he experienced at Sun Records.

Commercially, The Fabulous Johnny Cash was a strong debut for Cash on Columbia, selling over half a million copies upon its initial release. Although Billboard did not have a dedicated chart for country albums in 1958, the album reached No. 19 on the Billboard Best Selling LPs chart.

In 2002, the album was reissued by Sony Music's Legacy imprint, which included six bonus tracks and unedited versions of the original songs. Additionally, it was released on 180 gram vinyl for Record Store Day on November 23, 2012.