The younger brother of Johnny Cash, and with a voice somewhat similar, it's hard to say whether Tommy Cash has prospered or suffered by that association on a career level. He's had his own hits, certainly, most notably "Six White Horses" in 1969, and "Rise and Shine" and "One Song Away" a year later in 1970, but nothing really significant since, and while his recorded output is solid honky tonk fare, his style doesn't really seem to fit with the flashy, pop-drenched 21st century trappings of contemporary country. Ah, but ...
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The younger brother of Johnny Cash, and with a voice somewhat similar, it's hard to say whether Tommy Cash has prospered or suffered by that association on a career level. He's had his own hits, certainly, most notably "Six White Horses" in 1969, and "Rise and Shine" and "One Song Away" a year later in 1970, but nothing really significant since, and while his recorded output is solid honky tonk fare, his style doesn't really seem to fit with the flashy, pop-drenched 21st century trappings of contemporary country. Ah, but then neither did brother Johnny's style, either, so maybe it's worth taking another look at what Tommy Cash brings to the table. Winners affords the perfect opportunity to do so, since it includes the above mentioned hits plus key tracks from his 25th Anniversary Album from 1991 and Let an Old Racehorse Run from 1995, becoming, in effect, a retrospective sampler. "Six White Horses," a moving tribute to JFK, RFK and MLK, is easily the best thing Tommy has ever done, and it fittingly leads things off here. Also included are several high profile duets with the likes of Jeannie C. Riley ("We Got Love"), George Jones ("Hank & George, Lefty & Me"), Connie Smith (a "We Got Love" do-over), and, of course, Johnny Cash ("Guess Things Happen That Way," originally cut by Johnny back when he was starting out with Sun Records). Johnny, George Jones, and Tom T. Hall also join Tommy on Hall's "Thoughts on the Flag," which is offered here as a bonus track. It all adds up to a surprisingly balanced and cohesive sequence, and Tommy Cash emerges as an unassuming but solidly steady singer who, strangely enough, sounds exactly like you'd expect Johnny Cash's younger brother to sound like, which, when you think about it, isn't a bad thing at all. ~ Steve Leggett, Rovi
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