Keep On the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music

June Carter Cash | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 2, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0009YNSBU
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,255 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After marrying him in 1968, June Carter was usually perceived as an adjunct to Johnny Cash. Nothing could have been farther from the truth. June was an all-stops-out entertainer: a goofy comedienne, a big-hearted actress who studied under Lee Strasberg, and a dynamic singer unequivocally rooted in tradition as the youngest member of the pioneering Carter family, but just as steadfastly living in the here and now. Finally, there's an album to prove it (two discs, actually, covering the years 1939-2003). To begin to perceive all she was capable of, check out the eternal sorrow of "Without a Love," the pop-folkish "He's Solid Gone," the hillbilly luncacy of "No Swallerin' Place," the rambunctious "Juke Box Blues," the bizarre exotica of "The Heel," the agility and effortless flow of "Tall Loverman," the anxious fessing-up of her own "Ring of Fire," her no-nonsense "Jackson" duet with Cash, and her strength of conviction in "Appalachian Pride"--as well as her way with traditional material from the Carters and others. June had pizzaz, mountain style. --John Morthland

Product Description

Keep on the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music (2PC) June Carter Cash Label: Sony Release Date: 8/2/2005 Disc 1 1 Keep on the Sunny Side - :33 2 Oh, Susannah - :54 3 Root, Hog or Die - 2:31 4 Baby, It's Cold Outside - 2:54 5 Country Girl - 2:54 6 Foggy Mountain Top - 2:52 7 Fair and Tender Ladies - 3:07 8 He's Solid Gone - 2:26 9 Juke Box Blues - 2:18 10 No Swallerin' Place - 2:24 11 Love Oh Crazy Love - 2:43 12 He Went Slippin' Around - 2:20 13 Well I Guess I Told You Off - 2:10 14 Strange Woman - 2:17 15 The Heel - 3:08 16 How Did You Get Away from Me - 2:01 17 Tall Loverman - 2:42 18 Without a Love to Call My Own - 2:59 19 Ring of Fire - 2:40 20 Keep on the Sunny Side - 2:26 Disc 2 1 Jackson - 2:46 2 If I Were a Carpenter - 3:01 3 The Loving Gift - 2:15 4 A Good Man - 3:15 5 Ole Slewfoot - 2:15 6 Losin' You - 1:38 7 The Shadow of a Lady - 2:13 8 Gatsby's Restaurant - 2:10 9 Once Before I Die - 2:43 10 The L&N Don't Stop Here Anymore - 2:49 11 East Virginia Blues - 2:32 12 Gone - 3:23 13 Appalachian Pride - 2:29 14 I Love You Sweetheart - 3:01 15 Another Broken Hearted Girl - 2:40 16 Song to John [#] - 4:48 17 Far Side Banks of Jordan - 2:42 18 Diamonds in the Rough - 3:40 19 Will the Circle Be Unbroken - 4:08 20 Keep on the Sunny Side - 2:44

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful recording Legacy from The Wildwood flower, August 16, 2005

By 

B. M Peters (Powell River B.C) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Keep On the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music (Audio CD)

June Carter-Cash is a star. Sadly not much of her early material is available. This album spans 1939-2003. The first cd starts with The original Family + Janette + The Carter Sisters (Helen, June & Anita) singing their show stopper "Keep on the sunnyside". This version is short only an intro. "Oh Susannah" sung by a 10 year old June is impressive.She is already showing promise as a first class vocalist & entertainer at such a tender age. She shows the confidence of a future star."Root,toot, or Die" is one of her earliest recordings recorded in 1949. She has already established that trademark growl, (a growl that one can hear in singer Patsy Cline & other contemporary country singers.) the growl that set June apart from her entire family.
Though her voice was in a lower key than her mother and sisters June had very similar tone and stylings to her mother and sisters, but once that gutsy growl is heard there is no mistaking who is singing.This recording is also a fine hybrid of early Country and blue grass.
"Baby it's cold outside" is a really interesting cover, most other versions are done in Jazz or Broadway vein, June, Homer and Jethro sing this song with a gusto; Harmonizing almost simliarly to The Kingston trio, and features an unforgetable country shuffle."Country Girl", is a song that reminds me of a Hank Williams song,it has that shuffle that many have associated with his upbeat tunes. June does a spoken intro & some other spoken segments throughout the song.It demonstrates the theatrics that June incorporated & carried with her until last album, the magnificent "Wild Wood Flower"
The old Carter standard "Foggy mountain top" is given an updating my Mother Maybelle and the Carter Sisters.Wonderful harmonizing by the girls with each singer alternating lead,Harmonies are tight and sweet. Maybelle's guitar work is amazing.The tune ends with harmonized Yodeling, very impressive to the ear.This is the first time I have ever heard this type of singing."Fair and tender ladies" another Carter standard given an impressive updating from the girls. Tight Harmonies which could have only come from a life time of practice & performing, highlight this wonderful version, along with Junes seasoned Auto-harping.Anita's hauntingly beautiful soprano is very prominent throughout the Carter sisters recordings. Her clear perfect pitch and tone give the quartet it's signature sound.
"Solid Gone" is given a more modern country reading from the girls. "Juke Box Blues" is the most modern sounding country records up until this point on cd #1.The Song is a playful shuffle, sounds like something Patsy Cline or Hank Williams would sing.This song is highlighted by Junes ever maturing voice, and trademark growl. A fun walzing tune."No swallering place" is country/blue grass tune, but decidedly more blue grass, June takes deep theatical breaths, to excentuate her breakneck speed singing."Love oh Crazy Love" a duet with Carl Smith,is a country duet with a comical twist, June shows off her hillbilly histarical humour, by telling a joke right in the middle of the song! Carl plays around a little too.
The blue grassy "He went slippin around" and "Well I guess I told you off" kind of reminds me of the Maguire sisters,but tighter and not such a novelty act. The latter gives a clapping hillbilly ho-down segment.Giving this song a comical quality.
June does a mid tempo ballad, Called "Strange woman" With great country style.Backed by her sisters and mother June Sings with a country soul & enthusiasm that only a Carter can project.Her voice has also matured much over the past few years, gaining more control.Clearer,more full toned singing.
"The heel" is a really cool record.June really outdid herself with this one.It's so unique, very Johnny Cash, almost has C.W. McCalls "Convoy" type of feel feel. This song is done in a kind of Country rap,done by men typically.June tackles it, with confidence, & attitude. Making her fans think "what could have been?" had she really did more albums during her marriage to Johnny Cash.I believe Patsy, Loretta, and Tammy would have had some heavy competition.
"How did you get away from me" features a young Johnny Cash, fortelling in my opinion of their future relationship.
"Tall lover man" a heavy country ballad,has great vocals & guitar work by June, with the trade mark sound of the Carter Sisters singing pleasently behind June."Without a love to call my own" is absolutly beautiful.June's energy is always nice to hear, but her Kittenish side is rarely heard.So when she sings a tender song like this it is a real treat for the listener. She sings this song with a lot of heart and county soul.A calming, haunting performance. Definatly my favorite on CD#1.
"Ring of Fire" (a song June wrote) is sang by the sisters.
This version is a hybrid of Johnny's and Anita's version (Anita was the original singer)
The Carter Family recorded an updated version of their old classic again in 1964. This new version of "Keep on the sunnyside" has vocals from Maybelle,Johnny Cash and future wife and June, this a truly amazing,rare and historicle recording.3 of country musics most important figures on one record. A Wonderful conclusion of Cd#1.

CD#2 Starts with June and Johnny's unique, Grammy award winning, hit version of "Jackson".This version is a staple in Country musics history. June is in great vocal form & tackles her end of the duet with pizzaz.She has matured a lot since the 50's as a vocalistand performer(though singing & performing were never a problem).She gives her usual passionate growling attitude driven deliverly.
"If I were a carpenter" has been covered by many. June & Johnny covered it in their typical soulful mannor. This song won June and Johnny another grammy in 1970.
"The loving gift" is a ballad duet. June & Johnnny sing this tender love song with the intensity that only people who are truly in love can bring forth. This song was basically was a testiment of their near fairy tale marriage, & devotion to one another.
"A good man" is a solo venture by June. A funky upbeat country with religous references throughout.This is song by June Produced my Johnny.It has wonderful guitar work, & a pounding tamberine.In my opinion it had a lot of hit potential. It still vex's me why June did not record more albums. An amazing artist.
June Gets down and country with the heavy kickin blue grass recording "Ole Slewfoot" she is backed up by daughters Carlene Carter (Junes hit making daughter who inherited her mothers vocal tone & stlye. She had a big hit in the early 1990's with "Every little thing" one listen to this song & there is no doubt who is her mother.), Rosie Carter Nix(though she is less known than her sisters she is star in her own right), and Roseanne Cash(Johnny Cash's daughter with Vivian)
and of course Johnny Cash himself.
"Losin you" from her amazing "Appalachian Pride" album is yet again heavy blue grass.(though this is a 10 I prefer her version on the 1999 album "Press on"
"The Shadow of a lady" is more country than "losin you" fine instrumental work from June.
"Gatsbys Restaurant" is a hillbilly ho-down, bluegrass recording, with amazing pickers, and great banjo work. (Personally I think I like the version found on her "Press on album" from 1999 better)
"Once before I die"(a duet with Jerry Hensley) is a really really beautiful record.Jerry has one of the most beautiful agile voices in country music.Silky smooth and oh so soulful.June and Jerry blend perfectly together."The L&N don't stop here anymore" not one of my favorites, reminds me of cheezy country theme."East virginia blues" a kickin country song, that tradional country fans are bound to love.
"Gone" is a beautiful recording by June, who would record a more exciting version for her "Wild Wood Flower" album(though it was renamed "Alcatraz"in 2003 for the grammy awards winning swan album "Wildwood flower" in the 2003 version she changes the tempo several times making it a little more dynamic)True she may be in prime vocal form here,and her 2003 version may sound a little more ragged, she none the less gave the 2003 version her all, soul, guts and attitude, in tact though her health may not have been.
"Appalachian Pride" blue grass country features some great accordion work."I love you sweetheart" is ballad/upbeat love song.Touching lyrics, and great storytelling which country is famous for, are the highlights of this album.

The next standout on the album is "Song to John" a beautiful ode to June's husband.Spoken intro, and many spoken segments throughout this ballad.You could sense the intense love and spiritual connection that June & Johnny had.
"Far side banks of Jordan" is perhaps my favorite duet June and Johnny ever did. This is one of the most hauntingly beautful songs I've ever heard. I do however prefer her version from her 1999 album Press on.Their bodies were aging, and their health was ailing, the 1999 version seems to almost make their version a little more urgent and soulful. Almost as if they were telling the world they will be together always in spirit.
"Diamond in the rough" an old Carter Family tune on which June is accompanied by the Nitty Gritty dirt Band,long time friends & admirers of the Carters (in particular June & Mother Maybelle)

As cd#2 comes to an end, one song from the amazing "Press on" album,is the gospel tune by the original family "Will the circle be unboken" given a down home reading by June.Sadly most of the Original family had boarded that old gospel ship in passing years.AP in '60, Maybelle in '78, Sara in'79,Helen in '98, and Anita in '99. So June did the song solo.
Only cousin Janette and Joe (d. March 2/05)were alive.)
The Album would win June her first solo grammy for "best traditional folk album" in 1999.
The Cd concludes with her amazing... Read more ›

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Another Carter Family Treasure", September 12, 2005

By 

J. F Kopeck "jkopeck9" (Parkville, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keep On the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music (Audio CD)

This collection of recordings by June Carter (and many with family members like Maybelle,Anita and Johnny)are a Great addition to any Carter Family-Cash collector. I am not going to describe each song as to what I think as that would be a waste and the end result would only be my opiniun. But if you are sworn by traditional family music like the Original Carter Family and by that I mean A.P.his wife Sara and her cousin Maybelle along with the likes of Helen,Anita & June then this collection is for you.The vintage recordings are priceless as is an early recording of "Old Susanna" by June at 10 years of age. If you think that the Davis Sisters did a Great recording of "Foggy Mountain Top" wait until you hear the Carters hit it.
Buy this set as there are some real classics that you will never be able to find elsewhere.

"Enjoy" JFKopeck

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening 2-CD career retrospective, February 5, 2006

By 

hyperbolium (Earth, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Keep On the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music (Audio CD)

Carter's family legacies are well-known, both as a daughter of the legendary Carter clan, and as the mother of Carlene Carter, step-mother of Rosanne Cash, and of course, as the wife of Johnny Cash. Her duets with Cash still turn up now and again on radio and compilation CDs, but her lengthy career as part of the Carter Family's second edition (which was comprised of June, her sisters, and her mother Maybelle), as well as her solo work, have long been overshadowed. This 2-CD career retrospective certainly helps set the record straight, covering everything from her earlier recordings with the original Carter Family in 1939, through her last solo LP, 2003's Grammy(tm) winning "Wildwood Flower." The picture that emerges is of a very talented singer whose comedic flair became a distinguishing trademark among the distinguished company of her family.

Carter Cash's career started early, as exemplified by a pair of 1939 radio transcriptions of a 10-year old singing the Carter family classic "Keep on the Sunny Side" and Stephen Foster's "Oh! Susannah." As she grows, she clowns with Homer & Jethro on a parody of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," sings from the A.P. Carter songbook with her mother and sisters, and duets with both her first husband Carl Smith, and her second, Johnny Cash. Highlights include the Carter Family's sisterly harmonies on "Ring of Fire," Johnny Cash's resonant baritone underlining Maybelle and her daughters on "Keep on the Sunny Side," and a trio of duets with Cash that crackle with the electricity of their relationship.

Anthologist Gregg Geller has tracked down key singles from the early-50s through the mid-70s, including the socially acute 1971 original "A Good Man." Also included are Carter Cash's first solo album, 1975's "Appalachian Pride," and a pair of tracks from her later solo albums, 1999's "Press On" and 2003's swan-song, "Wildwood Flower." Though there's only one previously unreleased track (1975's "Song to John"), the scarcity of all of this material in reissue effectively makes a great deal of this set equivalent to unreleased. This is a long overdue look at one of the Carter Family's second generation of musical legends: a daughter, a mother, a wife, a singer, and a star. [©2006 hyperbolium dot com]