Honky Tonk Man: The Essential Johnny Horton 1956-1960
For those only familiar with Johnny Horton's big hits and historical sagas, this two-disc collection presents a more complete picture of the artist. Disc 1 focuses largely on Horton's urgent rockabilly sides, falling somewhere betweenElvis PresleyandJohnny Cashwith a tiny hint ofHanktossed in. Since he costarred on theLouisiana Hayridewith Presley in the mid-1950s, it's not surprising that Horton's earliest Columbia recordings found him as sort of the label's answer to the Sun sound, especially with Grady Martin's snarling guitar licks. This set adds four cuts from a rare airplay-only LP before moving on to the saga songs for which Horton will always be beloved.--Marc Greilsamer