American VI: Ain't No Grave

Comment: This is an excellent CD and I can't be more pleased with the entire selection of songs. Johnny has left a legacy and given us another great album that I'm certain to enjoy for years to come. Johnny has given us his witness and has stored his reward in heaven and is nowing reaping what he has sown. The Lord has given Johnny all his talents and Johnny did not bury them, but has deposited them while earning great interest. I trust that Johnny Cash is happy now more than ever for the road he has chosen. He has blessed us, too. The voice is a little cracked and old, but like fine wine it is better with age as he tugs our hearts more than our ears with this excellent selection of songs. Who says you can't take it with you... or maybe send it ahead?

Comment: In the music world, no one has influenced a great deal of people like Johnny Cash. His influence spans across generations, songwriters and even music genres. From artists donning all black attire (Run DMC, Depeche Mode), walking the thin line between the sacred and the profane (DMX, Scarface), and refusing to label themselves (Beck), all of that was spawned from the Man In Black. So in 2010, American Recordings released the final installment "American VI: Ain't No Grave".
Like all other albums in this series, it was produced by Rick Rubin and it is considerably short clocking in at a little over 30 minutes. The album starts off with the title track which is also the first single, in which he sings "Ain't no grave that can hold my body down". It's a rather eerie statement- especially if you consider that he passed away in 2003. Following it is the Sheryl Crow song "Redemption Day" and later the Kris Kristofferson penned "For The Good Times" a song that was made famous by Al Green almost 40 years ago. Just about all of the songs are cover songs with the exception of "I Corinthians 15:55" which is the lone Johnny Cash composition. The album ends with the excellent track "Aloha Oe", and as soon as the song ends, you will want to play this album all over again in its entirety. In short, Johnny Cash has the best album out right now. Not just in country...in music, period.

Comment: I hope this is the last Johnny Cash album to be released. The six American albums, plus the Unchained Boxed-Set represent arguably the best career ranaissance any artist has ever had. Thank Rick Rubin and the extraordinary band they assembled, including my personal favorite, Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers. But most of all thank Johnny Cash for devoting his final years to his music.

His voice is noticeably frailer even than on American V, as he was truly at the end of his life on these final recordings. It diminishes his power not one bit, however, as he sings with the same passion and honesty he always did. The song selection is impeccable once again, and the musical accompaniment is once again sparse, always putting Cash's voice in the forefront.

It's not an innovative album, and it's not meant to be (though it's interesting and impressive the way the music in the final song subtly works in a bit of "how great thou art"). American VI, the final "aloha" from the greatest country musician ever to live, is a must-hear album, as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the music, Johnny. We miss you.

Comment: I have listened to the music of Johnny Cash since I was a young child, for thousands of hours. Needless to say, I was excited about this posthumous release by The Man In Black. It does not disappoint. "Ain't No Grave" is not only my favorite track on the album, but it is one of my favorite songs, ever, by Johnny Cash. The title track is a very powerful and determined track. When listening to the song, you'll be led to think of Lazarus, Jesus, maybe even Nosferatu. Johnny's voice is the center piece of the track, but the footstomps (provided by brother Seth Avett) makes me think of Johnny (and other angels) rising up from the grave: Heavenbound. The organ work in the title track reminds me of some of the work of Nick Cave. Avett Brother Scott Avett provides banjo work that is subtle, purposeful, and pleasantly haunting. I journey this Earth having seen all my parents, grandparents, and aunts pass on from human form and this is a song that gives me hope that they are joining Johnny Cash in a jam session up above.

Another song that transcends death on the album is "I Corrinthians 15:55," which is an intimate song penned by Johnny himself over the last three years of his life. This is a song that emanates contentment and satisfaction for a life well-lived and hope for the afterlife. I especially enjoy, in the c.d. version, the images of excerpts from Johnny Cash's handwritten drafts of the lyrics for this track. Seeing his handwriting helps connect us fans, on a personal level, to Johnny Cash.

I must admit that I am not a fan of Sheryl Crow's music, but Johnny Cash's rendition of her song "Redemption Day" really opens my eyes to her talent as a songwriter. "Redemption Day" includes keen and powerful lyrics that remain in my brain. When singing "Satisfied Mind" Johnny truly sells to the listener that his mind was and is indeed satisfied. One of my favorite songs, ever, is "Cool Water" and there is a cover of this classic cowboy song on this album. Johnny's voice of experience sings of "cool, clear water" and I have to envision him now singing songs in a land with the clearest and coolest of water.

This is a very special album. I recommend American VI: Ain't No Grave to Johnny Cash fans and to all lovers of intimate music.

Mescalito
American VI: Ain't No Grave
I and Love and You
Unearthed (5CD)
A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C) (Dig)
Dear Companion
Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook)
American III: Solitary Man
Roadhouse Sun
Between Daylight and Dark

Comment: Only ten songs here, but this final Rick Rubin produced Johnny Cash American Recording is a gem. I have all of his Rick Rubin projects and I must say not one of them failed to move me, often to tears. Cash was most definitely a man of faith. This CD is full of sincerity, honestly and the promise of life everlasting. Of all Cash's American Recordings, this one is the one that gave me hope that it's not over when we leave this world. There is something better "over yonder." Nobody says that better than Johnny. I highly recommend this CD to anyone who wants a meditative glance at their own mortality, or just may want to hear something fresh.