I’m not saying that the American albums aren’t great, they are. Which one is best would probably differ on what day of the week it is and which one I listened to last. I’d probably say the first one more often than not.
I just think there are other essential albums. I think this one has a certain romantic quality to it - jailhouse recording, Johnny cursing knowing it will be bleeped, the label didn’t want it done, it was HUGE and put him back on the map.
I’d take Hot and Blue or Bitter Tears over Folsom Prison most any day.
Part of the problem with Johnny’s catalog and I am a HUGE fan is that it’s pretty inconsistent. There’s almost something worth listening to on every album and there are a few minor gems here and there: I Would Like to See You Again or Johnny 99.
It’s kind of the epitome of a daunting catalog in both its sheer volume and knowing what to listen to.
On CD - he’s up there with Miles and Prince and Neil as an artist I have an awful lot of. But like all of them he has peaks and valleys, his just seem to be a little more pronounced. Rubin may have gotten the best run of him ever. Says a lot for the way Rubin does things.