Johnny Cash: American V - A Hundred Highways
Johnny Cash as he was in 1965
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Friday, 11, Aug 2006 02:19
American, Out now
In a nutshell….
Emotional. Sad. Powerful. Reflective. God-fearing.
What's it all about?
This is the final in the American series, and began production immediately after the release of American IV. This is the great man's epilogue, the final words to a world that took so much from him. During the making of this record Johnny Cash was seriously ill and would later die the very day that Rick Rubin (producer) was putting the finishing touches to American V. Hurt was a massive hit for Cash after his death and the emotional video won an MTV award, this album in basic terms is 12 tracks with all the heart wrenching content of Hurt. God's Gonna Cut You Down has been used to market this album and is without a doubt one of the strongest songs, notably when Cash lets go of the song sheet and yells the line, "When he said John go do my will!" This album is god-fearing and epic in every respect, with Cash utilising his voice to full effect. The American series is built from covers and a few new songs written by Cash, like the rest of the records in the series, this listens extremely well.
Who's it by?
Johnny Cash is one of the best storytellers to have lived and one of the greatest performers to have ever graced the stage. The 60s is the heyday that was recently made into a film, when Ring of Fire, Walk the Line and the Prison recordings were made. The free concerts in prison summed up Johnny Cash, a superstar who was 'one of them'. The concept of the prison recordings is one that still lives in the fantasies of modern day stars like Pete Doherty, and remains pure magic. The man walked in, announced that he was Johnny Cash and received massive applause from convicted criminals who sat there in complete shock. On the 12th September 2003 Cash passed away in Nashville due to complications from diabetes.
As an example…
"Got on my dead man suit/my lucky graveyard boots/I've got a song to sing/I'll meet you further on up the road." Johnny Cash sings this Springsteen-penned song in a masterful tone and convinces you that he's confronted the idea of death and that it is occupying much of his mind.
Likelihood of a trip to the Grammys
This album went in at number one in the US billboard charts and no one would bet against another award being bestowed upon the man in black one last time. Johnny Cash has won almost every award imaginable from Presidential awards to National Arts awards.
What the others say
The NME gave this album an eight and proclaimed: "The man in black is back"
The Daily Mail stated: "Johnny Cash still has the power to move you"
So is it any good?
Help Me opens this album and catches Johnny Cash on top vocal form. Like The 309 is the third track and represents a far deeper and sad tale. Rick Rubin commented that he would sometimes ring Cash and could tell he was struggling for breath, you can hear that in places on this track. The strong and eloquent Cash is replaced by the frail and tired voice powered by old lungs, but in itself the song is required listening and shows a man determined to finish some work. Love's Been Good To Me is another strong track as is Further On Up The Road, the former is particularly well presented. It’s the kind of song that reminds you how good Johnny Cash could sing a tune and how it seems to make other artists material seem meaningless.
God's Gonna Cut You Down is the standout track, it's that conversational style that typified the prison recordings and is backed by a thunderous backing drum. The line "Tell the rambler/tell the gambler/tell the back-fighter/tell em that God's gonna cut em down/tell em that god's gonna cut em down" is spoken like a true poet and really cuts through the beat of the tune.
This album is accessible for the Cash beginner and a perfect end for the completist. The man in black bows out with a classic, and you just knew it wouldn't happen any other way.
9/10
Karl Pike