Artist:  Various Artists

Title: 'Til Things are Brighter - A Tribute to Johnny Cash

Date:  1988

Label:  Red Rhino Records   REDLP 88

Cover Painting:  Jon Langford

Sleeve Layout:  Michael Taylor

Photo:  Steve Wright

Notes:  A great record for any fan of either Cash or the 80's art punks from across the pond. You get the Mekons, Pete (Buzzcocks) Shelley and Marc (Soft Cell) Almond to but scratch the mere surface of the vinyl gem. All tunes are handled with taste and reverence without being stifled by the legend in black. And the record itself was a fund raiser for the Terrence Higgins Trust to promote AIDS awareness. A nice back cover photo of Johnny and a few of the boys and a fantastic Langford painting on the front makes it complete. Even if you don't know the artists and don't care about the cause the music alone is worth seeking this one out.

Line Up:

Guitars: Brendon Croaker, Marc Riley, Simon Taylor and Jon Langford
Double Bass: Chet Taylor
Drums: Little Willy Goulding
Organ: Bobby Worby

Track Listing

Side 1

One Piece at a Time: Michelle Shocked
I Walk the Line: Stephen Mallinder
Rosanna's Goin' Wild: Steve Mack
Cry, Cry, Cry: Sally Timms
Country Boy: David McComb
Wanted Man: Marc Riley

Side 2

Straight A's in Love: Peter Shelley
Ring of Fire: Cathal Coughlan
Five Feet High and Risin': Tracey and Melissa Beehive
Home of the Blues: Brendan Croaker
Boy Named Sue: Mary Mary
Folsom Prison Blues: Mekons
Man in Black: Marc Almond