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Each of the ‘American’ albums is characterised by Cash’s peerless ability to make each song that he tackles his own. As is the case on each of the American albums, Cash’s own life story and experience add gravity and pathos to lines that seemed almost throwaway when sung by the original artists. This is most poignant, when Cash sings, “Give me some alcohol” on ‘Rowboat’, and later when he brings equal helpings of spirituality and savoir-faire to Soundgarden’s ‘Rusty Cage’.
It isn’t just so-called ‘alternative’ songs that Cash performs on ‘Unchained’ though. He takes Dean Martin’s corny-as-hell ‘Memories Are Made Of This’ and adds a depth that even a singer as talented as Martin couldn’t manage. Later he performs an exquisite version of Tom Petty’s ‘South Accents’. On Jimmie Rodgers’ ‘The One Rose (That’s Left In My Heart)’ and ‘The Kneeling Drunkard’s Plea’ (originally performed by The Louvin Brothers but written by June, Helen and Anita Carter) things really snap into place between Cash and The Heartbreakers making these two of the stand out tracks.
Two re-works of Cash’s own songs are also highlights. ‘Meet Me In Heaven’, which was originally written for June Carter Cash takes on greater significance now that both she and Cash have passed away. Cash estimates that it took him forty years to write ‘Mean Eyed Cat’. In the liner notes he remarks that any version heard until now cannot be viewed as the finished article, “finally, after 41 years, I’m satisfied with ‘Mean Eyed Cat’” notes Cash.
At the conclusion of the album lies Hank Snow’s tongue-twisting road-dog song, ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’. As Cash powers into the chorus, you could sense that he wasn’t done racking up the miles. Sadly, he didn’t have as many left as we all would’ve liked.
Funny, bleak, thrilling and heartbreaking - this is classic Cash, and in 'Spiritual' and 'Unchained' alone he creates two uniquely beautiful and moving recordings, that can without embarrassment be described as inspirational.
As always the focus is very much on the voice of Johnny Cash, and a set of strong songs, that if mainly not known to me had soon left an indelible mark on me. "Rusty Cage" is perhaps my favourite at the moment. A superb arrangement by Rick Rubin with trademark bass Piano notes on the chorus. Johnny Cash was still quite strong when this was recorded in the mid to late 1990's and there isn't the frailty in his voice that is so apparent in the later albums.
The backing musicians are basically Tom Petty's band and they do a fine job. Highly recommended (as indeed are all of these Johnny Cash American recordings).
The first American album was just OK, Johnny with only his guitar but at least the... Read more
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