In celebration of his 78th birthday, Rick Rubin has released the final chapter in Johnny Cash's legendary music anthology of the 'American' Series. 'American VI: Ain't No Grave' is a final ballad of Cash's most death relevant song writing (and covering) abilities. Most tracks are slow yet re-assuring everyone that when he dies, everything will work out for the best. He talks about his life, and reflects on his accomplishments. Kinda weird to hear him talking about this kind of stuff, but I'm sure Rubin pretty much planned it that way. Most of these tunes were recorded after the death of this wife June Carter. So in a way these songs are for June, but in our ears they reflect on Cash. If you haven't updated your Johnny Cash library in the past 16 years, here a brief run-through:
- The 'American' series started in 1994, when he signed on with Rubin's American Recordings label. The first release, 'American Recordings', was based on Cash recording all acoustic songs, all recorded in his Tennessee cabin. Most of the tunes are covers (Tom Waits, Kris Kristofferson, Leonard Coen), but most critics will argue that Cash's versions are more powerful and clear. They offer a simple, yet emotional sound that Cash's voice manages to perfect. Cake Picks: Delilia's Gone, Redemption, Bird On A Wire.
- The follow-up album 'American II: Unchained'(1996) had a bit more of production to it; Rubin decided to add a band to back up Cash's voice and guitar. So he went out and got Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers to give him a hand. It's pretty interesting to hear such a powerhouse band back up one of the most distinct voices in music history. The album includes, again, well done covers from Soundgarden's 'Rusty Cage' to Beck's 'Rowboat'. A bit faster paced, I would favour this piece of Cash's work from the 'American' recordings a personal favorite. Cake Picks: Rowboat, Rusty Cage, Country Boy, I've Been Everywhere.........man.
- 'American III: Solitary Man' was recorded just after Cash was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The mixture of great covers, with slow emotional songs and upbeat tunes, gives the album a feeling of confusion. From happiness to the thought of death, Cash takes you through a playlist of great quality music. Again having his good friend Tom Petty helping him out and also backing him up in vocals. He manages to cover Petty's 'I Wont Back Down", Neil Diamonds 'Solitary Man', U2's 'One'(which I strongly prefer over U2's version) that will make you think differently about each song. Another solid album to add to the legends body of work. Cake Picks: I Wont Back Down, One, The Mercy Seat.
- Voted by many critics as the greatest music video of all time, Cash's version of Nine Inch Nail's 'Hurt' might have given Cash the title as best cover of all time. 'American IIV: The Man Comes Around' gave the world a new look at Cash's struggle with his life, and his choices to cover songs that include such relevant lyrics. His covers include NIN's 'Hurt', Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus', The Beatles' 'In My Life', Sting's 'I Hung My Head', The Eagles' 'Desperado' and even Hank Williams 'I'm So Lonesome, I Could Cry'. Once again, a must hear track list, the covers just give you such an amazing sound that Cash has converted. Cake Picks: Hurt, In My Life, Desperado, Bridge Over Troubled Water (with Fiona Apple on back up vocals)
- This is the first album release after Cash passed away in 2003. 'American V: A Hundred Highways'(2006) was a collection of tracks that Cash had only recorded vocals for, back in 2003. Rick Rubin then added overdubs to create an album that would add to the ongoing anthology of Cash's life. The album was such a success that it reached #1 in the Billboards for top 200, Country Album and Internet Albums. 'God's Gonna Cut You Down', the title track, won a Grammy for best short form music video and Cash's biopic 'Walk the Line' was released the year before and was nominated for multiple Oscars. It was the year of Johnny Cash; if you didn't know who he was, you best be doing your homework because he owned the charts, and he wasn't even alive. The album included covers of Gordon Lightfoots 'If You Could Read My Mind', Bruce Springsteen's 'Further On Up the Road' , Hank Williams' 'On The Evening Train'. Cake Picks: God's Gonna Cut You Down, Like A 309, Further On Up The Road.
Cash also released a similar series of albums called 'Unearthed'. He does a lot of great covers on those albums as well. So you best be checkin that out too. Anyway, make sure you listen to these if you're interested in this type of music; if not, then stay tuned, because we might be able to help you out in your music knowledge Plus you might find something that will change your life.....foooorrreeeevvverrrrr
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