Johnny Cash's Greatest Hits Volume 1 was first issued by Columbia Records in 1967, drawing together the biggest singles from the opening decade of Cash's Columbia contract onto a single long-playing record. This is the Legacy Recordings reissue of 2020, pressed on one 12 inch LP in stereo under catalogue number 19439764051, with the original sleeve artwork reproduced in full.
The Album
Eleven tracks run across the two sides. Side one opens with "Jackson", the duet with June Carter that made its first appearance on a long-playing album here, and continues through "I Walk the Line", "Understand Your Man", "Orange Blossom Special" and "The One on the Right Is on the Left". Side two gathers "Ring of Fire", "It Ain't Me, Babe", "The Ballad of Ira Hayes", "The Rebel - Johnny Yuma", "Five Feet High and Rising" and "Don't Take Your Guns to Town". Four of the eleven are Cash's own compositions: "I Walk the Line", "Understand Your Man", "Five Feet High and Rising" and "Don't Take Your Guns to Town".
This Reissue
The record is issued by Columbia and Legacy, the catalogue arm of Sony Music Entertainment, and carries the copyright line "1967, 2020 Sony Music Entertainment". The front sleeve reproduces the original Columbia devices: the arrowed STEREO "360 SOUND" banner runs across the top centre, while the corner strip carries an oval reading STEREO RLY-9478 above the Columbia walking eye logo. The retail shrink wrap carries a hype sticker highlighting "I Walk the Line", "Ring of Fire" and "Jackson", and noting an included digital download.
Packaging
The sleeve reproduces the 1967 original. The front carries the photograph of Cash singing with his eyes closed at the microphone, the title set in white and pale blue to the upper right, and the song titles running diagonally across the lower left. The rear sets out a montage of Cash's earlier Columbia sleeves alongside the two side listings, with the original credit line "Produced by Don Law and Frank Jones".
Track Listing
Side One
1. Jackson (with June Carter)
2. I Walk the Line
3. Understand Your Man
4. Orange Blossom Special
5. The One on the Right Is on the Left
Side Two
1. Ring of Fire
2. It Ain't Me, Babe
3. The Ballad of Ira Hayes
4. The Rebel - Johnny Yuma
5. Five Feet High and Rising
6. Don't Take Your Guns to Town