Strawberry Cake (Live)

Among Johnny Cash’s numerous live albums, 1976's Strawberry Cake is notable for its between-song commentaries and generally intimate tone. Johnny and wife June Carter Cash turn the concert (recorded at the London Palladium on Sept. 21, 1975) into a diverse affair that combines signature tunes like “Big River,” “I Still Miss Someone," and “I Got Stripes” with lesser-known and brand-new numbers. Rather than stick to familiar hits, Cash reaches back to the late ‘50s for the burly folk-style ballad “Doin’ My Time” and spices up the set with fresh originals like “Navajo,” “Destination Victoria Station," and the album’s title tune. Particularly engaging is a rendition of Lonnie Donegan’s skiffle classic “Rock Island Line” that barrels along with the force of a guitar-driven freight train. Bouncing back after being interrupted by a bomb scare (!), June joins her husband for a spirited medley of “Church in the Wildwood” and “Lonesome Valley.” Along the way, Cash reflects upon his musical history, talks about his rapport with convicts, and generally charms the London crowd. A toe-tapping rendition of “The Fourth Man” ends the show on an inspirational gospel note.