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The partnership with Rubin and his label American recordings was two fingers firmly stuck up at Nashville, and had a significant effect on the future of country music.
The idea Rick had was to record just Johnny and his guitar, with no session musicians. This is just what you get Johnny's ... Read review
In 1994 Cash stunned the music world with this commanding collection of 13 solo acoustic ... more
performances that roll from gospel to cowboy to sarcastic folk. Minimalism had long been Cash's meal ticket, but this time around, producer Rick Rubin stripped it all away, recording the bulk of the record in Cash's cabin or his own living room (two cuts were captured live at the Viper Room in front of an emphatic audience). Cash offers five typically direct and vivid originals, but he also seizes control of songs by Kris Kristofferson, Nick Lowe, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Loudon Wainwright. 40 years after "Hey Porter", Cash delivers a pure, naked, and incredibly moving record that, dare we say, rivals the impact of his greatest achievements. --Marc Greilsamer
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
In 1994 Cash stunned the music world with this commanding collection of 13 solo acoustic ... more
performances that roll from gospel to cowboy to sarcastic folk. Minimalism had long been Cash's meal ticket, but this time around, producer Rick Rubin stripped itallaway, recording the bulk of the record in Cash's cabin or his own living room (two cuts were captured live at the Viper Room in front of an emphatic audience). Cash offers five typically direct and vivid originals, but he also seizes control of songs by Kris Kristofferson, Nick Lowe, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits and Loudon Wainwright. 40 years after "Hey Porter", Cash delivers a pure, naked, and incredibly moving record that, dare we say, rivals the impact of his greatest achievements. --Marc Greilsamer
Postage & Packaging:£1.21 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: It's Johnny Cash Man Disadvantages: None, It's Johnny Cash Man
...with Rubin and his label American recordings was two fingers firmly stuck up at Nashville, and had a significant effect on the future of country music.
The idea Rick had was to record just Johnny and his guitar, with no session musicians. This is just what you get Johnny's soothing baritone, his guitar, and the songs. Absolutely beautiful music well done with no frills.
The selection of songs would see Johnny follow ... ...Nine Inch Nails "Hurt" on American IV later on. Then there is stuff taken from other well recognised country artists such as Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me Lord" a deeply spiritual song given the solemnity that it deserves.
On top of all that you have a smattering of Johnny Cash songs like the worryingly homicidal and sadistic "Delia's Gone". All made better by the simplicity of the arrangements, just Vocal ... more
In 1994 Johnny Cash made a triumphant comeback and stuck two fingers firmly up at Nashville. His recording contract with Columbia had ended and the folks in Nashville thought that vaudeville acts like the loathsome Garth brooks and downright awful Billy Ray Cyrus were considered to be the future of country music. Johnny was considered a has-been. Thank the lord that he met up with Rick Rubin, who would go on to produce his last four albums.
The partnership with Rubin and his label American recordings was two fingers firmly stuck up at Nashville, and had a significant effect on the future of country music.
The idea Rick had was to record just Johnny and his guitar, with no session musicians. This is just what you get Johnny's soothing baritone, his guitar, and the songs. Absolutely beautiful music well done with no frills.
The selection of songs would see Johnny follow a path that he would follow for the rest of his life. There are songs from "alternative" artists, such as Glen Danzig's eerie and spooky "Thirteen". Unfortunately for Danzig Johnny's version is far better because it is Johnny Cash doing it, he would do the same to Nine Inch Nails "Hurt" on American IV later on. Then there is stuff taken from other well recognised country artists such as Kris Kristofferson's "Why Me Lord" a deeply spiritual song given the solemnity that it deserves.
On top of all that you have a smattering of Johnny Cash songs like the worryingly homicidal and sadistic "Delia's Gone". All made better by the simplicity of the arrangements, just Vocal and Guitar.
This album and his now legendary performance at the infamous "Viper Room" in LA, brought Johnny back to the forefront of country music, a place that is rightfully his.
Advantages: Play - When you're weary and feeling small... Disadvantages: Don't Play - When you're with your skater buddies.
This fabulous album was robbed of being the last throw by the late, great JohnnyCash by the dodgy decision to release American V, a wholly lesser album.
So If you have no other Cashrecording in your collection you must get this one. It's the voice of a reformed hell-raiser, drug addict and truly God-fearing man on the brink of final personal oblivion. It's difficult to tell when the tremble in his voice is emotion and when it's simple frailty. I like to believe it's the one caused by the other.
Stand-out tracks - The monumental "Hurt" is the show-stopper here, made more emotional by the realisation that Cash is singing with first-hand experience of the subject matter.
The cover of Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" is a close second for track of the album. Succinct and direct acoustic guitar backing pushes the song along nicely ...
Advantages: Look it is JOHNNY CASH MAN Disadvantages: none with John at all
Solitary man was the third in the series of AmericanrecordingsJohnny did with Rick Rubin at the helm producing and overseeing matters. This partnership produced 4 albums worth of material which were arguably the best in his career. The final album is almost un-listenable not because of the quality of the material but because of the general subject matter, and that you can hear that Johnny knows that his end is coming. This album however is another matter altogether whilst a somber tone takes over most of the album it is more of a celebration of his life rather than a album looking towards life's final journey.
The musicians collaborating on the album is awesome with members of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers , Sheryl Crow, the legend that is Merle Haggard, and his wife June Carter Cash all contributing to proceedings.
Like all ...
Advantages: He is Johnny Cash Disadvantages: I am not Johnny Cash
or something. (1)
Ok this album released in 1996 was JohnnyCash?s first with Americanrecordings and Rick Rubin at the helm producing it. For most of the album the backing band are Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, and this album sounds exactly like you would expect collaboration between JohnnyCash and Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers to sound like (2). In an interview at the time JohnnyCash mentioned that Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers seem to have a unique musical language of their own, which he was impressed by, this is high praise indeed, I have never had JohnnyCash comment on my musical style or abilities boo hooo. However I am Glad That JohnnyCash never witnessed my version of A Boy Named Sue(3).
The album comes with extensive sleeve notes written by the Man (4) himself in which he explains the songs selected for this project and he ...
Product Information for "American Recordings - Johnny Cash" »
Product details
Title
American Recordings
Performer
Johnny Cash
Genre
Country
Sub Genre
Outlaw Country
Release Date
23/02/2004
Recomended Retail Price
12.99 GBP
Original Release Year
1994
Label / Distributor
American/Universal / Universal Music
Producer
Rick Rubin
Pieces in Set
1
Studio / Live
Mixed
Stereo
Stereo
Format
Performer
EAN
731458679028
Catalogue Number
5867902
Additional notes
Album Notes
Solo performer: Johnny Cash (vocals, acoustic guitar). Includes liner notes by Johnny Cash. AMERICAN RECORDINGS won the 1995 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Johnny Cash is back and better than ever. The legendary Man In Black is now recording for a modern rock label, and is being produced by hard-core rap/rock guru Rick Rubin--and the results are startling. Spare and stripped to the bone, AMERICAN RECORDINGS is Johnny Cash at his artistic zenith. An original acoustic ballad, the opening "Delia's Gone" is a watershed accomplishment. Wryly capturing the art of the death ballad, it presents a thoroughly textured dramatic piece, both horrifying and humorous. The same can be said for Cash's droll reading of Loudon Wainwright's "The Man Who Could Not Cry." An extremely religious man, Johnny includes several songs dealing with themes of redemption, righteousness and spiritual salvation. Sandwiched between those two songs is a character-rich, eclectic collection of material by writers like Leonard Cohen, British rocker/ex-son-in-law Nick Lowe, Tom Waits, death-metal god Glenn Danzig, and Cash himself. With his resounding baritone--which is in the best form of his long career--and restricted guitar technique, Cash is the centerpiece, creating a sound that is uniquely American--proud, solitary, nearly broken, yet defiant. Johnny Cash, alone with a single guitar, is commanding in his dry, unencumbered intensity. AMERICAN RECORDINGS reaffirms his unique musical prowess, and presents his glorious shadowy skills to a new generation.
Album Reviews
Rolling Stone (5/13/99, p.60) - Included in Rolling Stone's "Essential Recordings of the 90's." Village Voice (2/28/95) - Ranked #7 in the Village Voice's 1994 Pazz & Jop Critics Poll. Mojo (1/95, p.51) - Included in Mojo's "25 Best Albums of 1994" - "...Johnny Cash sings Danzig? You'd better believe it." NME (12/24/94, p.22) - Ranked #23 in NME's list of the `Top 50 Albums Of 1994.' Rolling Stone (5/19/94, p.97) - 5 Stars - Classic - "...exactly the sort of album Cash needed to make...Cash alone with an acoustic guitar, confronting traditional folk songs...AMERICAN RECORDINGS is...fiercely true to the legend of Johnny Cash and entirely contemporary...." Entertainment Weekly (9/26/03, p.34) - "...A bare-bones masterpiece that...captures the tortured, aspirant soul of a master." Musician (6/94, p.77) - "...a spellbinding and thought-provoking album that sounds literally ageless...an uplifting word about walking the line from one who has walked it more often, and more steadily, than most...." Q (9/94, p.117) - 4 Stars - Excellent - "...There simply won't be a braver or more honest record all year..." NME (10/8/94, p.46) - 9 - Excellent Plus - "...This is an album wreathed in shadows, a confessional and autobiographical work that is, in the end, uplifting and life affirming because the message is taught through adversity, ill luck and fighting for survival..." NME (11/12/94) - Ranked as NME's Album Of The Month - "...these stark, acoustic songs add yet another layer of Cash myth..."
Titles on disc 1
1.
Delia's Gone
2.
Let The Train Blow The Whistle
3.
Beast In Me
4.
Drive On
5.
Why Me Lord
6.
Thirteen
7.
Oh Bury Me Not
8.
Bird On A Wire
9.
Tennessee Stud
10.
Down There By The Train
11.
Redemption
12.
Like A Soldier
13.
Man Who Couldn't Cry
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13/02/2006
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