Live Recordings From The Louisiana Hayride is a collection of 15 songs that offers a truly spellbinding look at Ms. Carter’s early-1960s stage act. The CD is a riveting mix of comedy and music, which might annoy some, especially since many of the comedy pieces are quite lengthy. Those blessed with the patience will be treated to routines that are as insightful as they are gut-busting funny. Her satire of Marty Robbin’s “Big Iron” is hysterical and her poem about Elvis will leave you in stitches. But, of course, the real magic is in the music.

Perhaps the highlights of the Louisiana Hayride are a "Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" and "Wildwood Flower”. “Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow” has since gone on to be a rockabilly classic and Ms. Carter’s version of it here is so vibrant and honest. Her command over not just her own voice, but over her band and the audience is awe-inspiring. And “Wildwood Flower” is a melodic masterpiece that gets the crowd roaring.

You can’t forget “It Ain’t Me, Babe”, her duet with her hubby, the man in black himself, Johnny Cash. It’s low-tech compared to the other songs -- mostly one guitar and the two of them singing together and off of each other -- but the synergy between them is other-worldly.

This CD is a must have for those of you who crave classic rockabilly. It’s equal parts talking and music -- I’ll caution you again – but the overall experience of listening to Live Recordings From The Louisiana Hayride is not to be missed.