The Baron (album)

The Baron
Studio album by Johnny Cash
Released	June 1, 1981
Recorded	March 1981 except "The Baron" September 1980
Studio	CBS Studios (Nashville, Tennessee)
Genre	Country folk rock blues
Length	30:36
Label	Columbia
Producer	Billy Sherrill
Johnny Cash chronology
Classic Christmas (1980) The Baron (1981) Encore (1981)
Singles from The Baron
"The Baron" Released: March 1981 "Mobile Bay" Released: July 1981 "The Reverend Mr. Black" / "Chattanooga City Limit Sign" Released: November 1981

The Baron is an album by American country singer Johnny Cash, released on Columbia Records in 1981 (see 1981 in music). The title track was a top ten hit, and three singles in all — including "Mobile Bay" and "The Reverend Mr. Black" / "Chattanooga City Limit Sign" — were released, though the latter two were rather unsuccessful in the charts, peaking at No. 60 and No. 71.

Cash recorded the album with countrypolitan producer Billy Sherrill. Other sessions with him would be released on the 2014 album Out Among the Stars.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic
The Rolling Stone Album Guide

The Boston Globe wrote: "That half of the songs are partly spoken, sometimes over syrupy strings, adds to the embarrassment."

Track listing

No.	Title	Writer(s)	Length
1.	"The Baron"	Paul Richey, Billy Sherrill, Jerry Taylor	3:37
2.	"Mobile Bay"	David Kirby, Curly Putman	3:01
3.	"(I Learned) The Hard Way"	Jerry Lynn Lansdowne	2:59
4.	"Ceiling, Four Walls and a Floor"	Tom T. Hall	2:40
5.	"Hey, Hey, Train"	Marty Stuart	2:42
6.	"The Reverend Mr. Black / Lonesome Valley (Medley)"	Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Billy Edd Wheeler / Jed Peters	3:11
7.	"The Blues Keep Getting Bluer"	Ron Reynolds	2:34
8.	"Chattanooga City Limit Sign"	Robert Rhett Drawdy	3:52
9.	"Thanks to You"	Jerry Lynn Lansdowne	2:29
10.	"Greatest Love Affair"	Mack David, Billy Sherrill	3:31

Personnel

• Johnny Cash – vocals, guitar
• Pete Wade, Phil Baugh, Terry Jacks, Billy Sanford, Pete Bordonali – guitar
• Marty Stuart – guitar, fiddle, arrangements
• Pete Drake, Weldon Myrick – steel guitar
• Hargus "Pig" Robbins, Bobby Wood – piano
• Bobby Emmons – keyboards
• Terry McMillan, Charlie McCoy – harmonica
• Bob Wray – bass
• Jerry Carrigan, Kenny Malone, Jerry Kroon – drums
• Lea Jane Berinati, Millie Forrest, Janie Fricke, The Jordanaires, Millie Kirkham, Louis Nunely, Gordon Stoker, Hurshel Wiginton – background vocals
• Bill McElhiney – string arrangements

Technical

• Ron Reynolds – engineer
• Bill Johnson – sleeve design
• Slick Lawson – photography

Chart performance

Album

Chart (1981)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums	24
U.S. Billboard 200	201

Singles

Year	Single	Peak positions
		US Country	CAN Country
1981	"The Baron"	10	6
	"Mobile Bay"	60	—
1982	"The Reverend Mr. Black" / "Chattanooga City Limit Sign"	71	—
		71 (flip)