Johnny Cash

A new Johnny Cash song got NPR Music producer Lars Gotrich thinking about music released after a beloved artist dies. Check out "Well Alright," plus new music by Arooj Aftab and Tems on 8 Tracks.

The past is always present — but with a practically endless selection of music to choose from via the web, it's nice when some of the world's best record labels help excavate it for us.

It has been 50 years since Cash recorded his legendary live album. At Folsom Prison boosted his then-flagging career and highlighted his efforts to reform the nation's penal system.

On this week's podcast: Epic country rock, blistering punk and a nearly seven-foot-tall clown mashes up Johnny Cash and The Who. Seriously.

In his new book, Sam Phillips, music writer Peter Guralnick profiles the founder of the Sun Records label. Guralnick says Phillips rejected perfection in favor of spontaneity and individuality.