Hymns by Johnny Cash is the third studio album and first gospel album by American singer Johnny Cash. The album was produced in 1958 and released in 1959. An alternate version of the song It was Jesus was an added bonus track after the album was re-issued in 2002. Cash said he left Sun Records because Sam Phillips would not let him record a gospel album.[5] Columbia promised him to release an occasional gospel album; this was a success for him to record. The album was Cash’s first and most popular gospel album, and is an example of traditional hymns set to country gospel music. The album was recorded simultaneously with The Fabulous Johnny Cash.[6]

Hymns by Johnny Cash
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 2, 1959
RecordedJuly 24, 1958–January 23, 1959
StudioBradley Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre
Length26:40
LabelColumbia[1]
ProducerDon Law
Johnny Cash chronology
Johnny Cash Sings the Songs That Made Him Famous
(1959)
Hymns by Johnny Cash
(1959)
Songs of Our Soil
(1959)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[4]

Critical reception

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The Rolling Stone Album Guide deemed the album "fairly uninspiring."[4] Billboard called It Was Jesus and I Saw a Man "outstanding."[7]

Track listing

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Side one
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording dateLength
1."It Was Jesus"John R. CashJuly 24, 19582:08
2."I Saw a Man"Arthur SmithJanuary 23, 19592:36
3."Are All the Children In"Craig StarrettJanuary 23, 19591:58
4."The Old Account"Traditional; arranged by J. R. CashJanuary 13, 19592:29
5."Lead Me Gently Home"Will L. ThompsonJanuary 23, 19592:04
6."Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"Traditional; arranged and adapted by J. R. CashJanuary 13, 19591:56
Side two
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording dateLength
1."Snow in His Hair"Marshall PackJanuary 13, 19592:24
2."Lead Me Father"J. R. CashAugust 13, 19582:31
3."I Call Him"
  • J. R. Cash
  • Roy Cash
January 23, 19591:50
4."These Things Shall Pass"Stuart HamblenJanuary 23, 19592:20
5."He'll Be a Friend"J. R. CashJanuary 23, 19592:00
6."God Will"January 13, 19592:24
2002 reissue bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Recording dateLength
13."It Was Jesus" (Mono EP Version)J. R. CashJuly 24, 19582:04

Personnel

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Musicians

Additional personnel

  • Al Quaglieri - producer
  • Don Law - producer
  • Seth Foster - mastering
  • Mark Wilder - mastering, mixing
  • Hal Adams - photography
  • Don Hunstein - photography
  • Stacey Boyle - tape research
  • Matt Kelly - tape research
  • Kay Smith - tape research
  • Steven Berkowitz - A&R
  • Darren Salmieri - A&R
  • Patti Matheny - A&R
  • Howard Fritzson - art direction
  • Randall Martin - design
  • Nick Shaffran - consultant
  • Johnny Whiteside - liner notes

References

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  1. ^ Popoff, Martin (September 8, 2009). Goldmine Record Album Price Guide. Penguin. ISBN 9781440229169 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Hymns by Johnny Cash at AllMusic
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2006). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Vol. 2. MUZE. p. 240.
  4. ^ a b The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 115, 117.
  5. ^ Ollison, Rashod D. "Man in Black brought rebel's spirit to music". baltimoresun.com.
  6. ^ Light, Alan (October 23, 2018). Johnny Cash: The Life and Legacy of the Man in Black. Smithsonian Institution. ISBN 9781588346391 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ "The Billboard Spotlight Winners of the Week". Billboard. Vol. 71, no. 13. March 30, 1959. p. 31.