Man Comes Around, The (American IV) [ECD] - Johnny Cash

...first, a little about the man himself.

JC

Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash sold over 90 million (90!) albums in a music career that spanned 6 decades. It's safe to say that his music, particularly later in his career, was largely downbeat, focusing on sorrow and moral issues. Cash was nicknamed the 'Man in Black', not because of a resemblance to Will Smith, but because he chose to wear dark clothing that became synonymous ...
...with the title track, The Man Comes Around, the tone for the album is set immediately, with Cash part-speaking, part-singing his way through Biblical references. This song actually appeared on two of his earlier albums but is a strong start.

Next up is 'Hurt', really the reason I bought the album. Watching MTV one evening, I saw this (very) old fella, singing in an obvious state of ill health in his own home. Not only was this unusual ... more

It's probably worth starting this review by saying that I am in no way a Johnny Cash fan, and that this is the only album of his that I own.(In a
collection that tends to steer well clear of anything that could be labelled 'country' music.)

I'll come on to the reasons for my owning this album later, but first, a little about the man himself.

JC

Born in Kingsland, Arkansas, Cash sold over 90 million (90!) albums in a music career that spanned 6 decades. It's safe to say that his music, particularly later in his career, was largely downbeat, focusing on sorrow and moral issues. Cash was nicknamed the 'Man in Black', not because of a resemblance to Will Smith, but because he chose to wear dark clothing that became synonymous with his act.

Notable records include the legendary 'Ring of Fire', and Cash famously played inside San Quentin prison in 1969.

Married twice, Cash also experimented with drugs during his life which sadly ended in 2003 shortly after the death of his scond wife, June.

You may have seen 'Walk the Line', a film about Johnny Cash's life, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Reece Witherspoon, an excellent biopic which is reviewed elsewhere on Ciao.

BACKGROUND TO 'AMERICAN IV'

Released in 2002, this album was seen by many as a response to his battles with ill health, including pneumonia, which had affected his lungs.

Produced by Rick Rubin, now co-chairman of Columbia Records, the album contains 15 tracks (and on the British version, an additional video of 'Hurt'), which are performed by Cash and features appearances from Nick Cave and Don Henley.

Most of the tracks are cover versions, stripped down to the basics instrumentally, and featuring Cash's throaty lead vocals.

THE TRACKS

Starting with the title track, The Man Comes Around, the tone for the album is set immediately, with Cash part-speaking, part-singing his way through Biblical references. This song actually appeared on two of his earlier albums but is a strong start.

Next up is 'Hurt', really the reason I bought the album. Watching MTV one evening, I saw this (very) old fella, singing in an obvious state of ill health in his own home. Not only was this unusual against the usual diet of Britney and R & B, but the song itself obviously meant so much to the person singing it.

Cash's performance helped the video earn a Grammy and it is richly deserved. His rendering of Trent Reznor's (Nine Inch Nails frontman) original is sweeping, emotional and Reznor himself commented 'I pop the video in, and wow… Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps… Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine anymore'.

There are plenty of other high points in the album; the cover of 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' works well, as does, surprisingly, Cash's version of Depeche Mode's 'Personal Jesus'. This track appeals because the heavy electronics of the original actually benefit from the stripped down feel and context allowed by Cash and his musicians.

I'm not a big fan of Sting, but the version of 'I Hung my Head' on this album is a winner and carries on with the cheery nature of the album (a man about to be hanged for an unintentional murder!),whilst 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' is a thing of beauty.

The only time the album dips slightly in quality is at tracks 10 and 11, 'Danny Boy' and 'Desperado', which just don't seem to fit in with the overall feel of the album.

MY OPINION

Whenever you buy an album on the strength of just one track, you're always setting yourself up for a disappointment. However, speaking as someone who has no previous experience of the artiste, 'AMERICAN IV' is a triumph.

The tracks are of a consistent high quality, and if you're familiar with the originals, some of the re-workings are a treat. Throw in the fact that the guy who perfomed was seriously ill at the time and it adds a whole layer of interest to the lyrics as you look for the meaning he attaches to the cover versions.

The downside to the album; well, it certainly ain't one you're going to listen to if you need cheering up. The kindest way you could describe the emotional feel of the album is melancholy, and that would probably be understating it.

I've had the album for about 3 months now (bought on sale online for £7.99) and it has encouraged me to seek out other Johnny Cash albums. I think at £8 it's worth buying for 'Hurt' alone, particularly the British version which includes the video as a bonus track.

If you're a Cash completist, no doubt this will be in your collection already, but if you would like an introduction to the man this may be a decent place to start. 

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