The late Johnny Cash was a complex man. Not only was he a great songwriter and steadfast rebel but he was also a man of deep religious conviction. Sadly, Cash’s religious devotion, something that played a big part in saving him from an early grave, and the music it inspired was mostly overlooked in the recent film Walk the Line.

Of course Cash’s death in 2003 inspired a renewed interest in his music and the music industry has steadily been cranking out whatever they can cobble together to pay tribute, and get paid a tribute, to his lengthy musical legacy. The newest, and one of the most welcome, repackaging of Cash’s music comes in the form of Cash: Ultimate Gospel to be released on March 6th via Columbia Records’ Legacy imprint.

The 24 tracks on the album encompass four decades, beginning with some of the gospel tracks Cash recorded for the legendary Sun Records in the fifties. Among these early gems are a soul stirring rendition of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” and the gospel masterpiece “This Old Account.” Both songs originally appeared on Cash’s first gospel record Hymns by Johnny Cash

The record moves on to his sixties output when Cash tackled renditions of “(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)” and “Troublesome Waters.” You can hear Cash’s mix of devotion and desperation in every note he sings. The sixties also produced my favorite of his gospel covers, the toe-tapping standard “Daddy Sang Bass” with the Statler Brothers and the Carter Family providing background vocals.

Included from his songs of the seventies are the first of three unreleased tracks “My Ship Will Sail” and the lesser known songs like “Far Side Banks of Jordan” and “Children Go Where I Send Thee” from his 1979 gospel release A Believer Sings the Truth

Cash didn’t release any gospel records in the eighties but he recorded two spirituals in Nashville, “How Great Thou Art” and “It Is No Secret (What God Can Do).” Both are included here and complete the albums selections of unreleased tracks. While they aren't his best works, they are a fitting addition to this collection.

This is a great collection of songs that show a side of Johnny Cash’s talent and persona too often eclipsed by his reputation as “The Man in Black.” Elvis Presley also recorded a lot of Gospel tunes during his life but for my money not even “The King” can hold a candle to the power of Cash’s versions. If you aren’t familiar with Cash’s gospel recordings this is a great place to start.