American VI: Ain't No Grave

Starting in 1993, Johnny Cash collaborated with producer Rick Rubin on a series of American Recordings/Lost Highway albums. Rubin carefully overviewed the sessions and captured Cash's warm baritone voice - by now older but still full of punch - in mostly simple settings on "American Recordings". This first recording presented Cash as a hip elder of country, folk and rock at the age of 62. The album brought him back in the US album charts and also earned him a Grammy for "Best Contemporary Folk Album". Subsequent albums ("Unchained" - 1996) and "Solitary Man" (1990) introduced additional musicians without any overproduction. "American IV: The Man Comes Around" and "American V" (the latter being recorded in 2002-2003 but only released in 2006 with overdubs). These two albums were a lot starker given Cash's worsening health and the death of his wife. A 5-CD set titled "Unearthed" was released in 2003. The first three CD's include unissued songs and alternate takes of previously issued ones. The fourth CD is a marvellous set of old country gospel songs which was also issued separately as "My Mother's Hymn Book" (2004). This CD featured songs that he learned whilst still quite young and which had a tremendous influence on him. The fifth CD of the box set is merely a selection of tracks from the previously released albums. It is, of course, very significant that - in the course of the whole recording process - Cash would tackle material that one would not normally have expected to hear covered by him. Think of his covers of tunes from writers such as his ex-stepson Nick Lowe, the Blood Junkie's Glenn Danzig, Tom Waits, Josh Haden, Beck, Bonnie "Prince" Billy, U2, Nick Cave, Sound Garden, Nine Inch Nails, Neil Young, Lynne/Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Gordon Lightfoot, Rod McKuen, the Beatles... well you name them. Whilst tracks like those from Beck and Soundgarden failed to move me at all, some of the less likely interpretations proved to be real gems, as in the case of - say - Trent Reznor's "Hurt" (which became a hit single), Neil Diamond's "Solitary Man" or Martin Gore's "Personal Jesus". Besides, the obscure songs and country ballads interpreted here sound really as heartfelt as Cash's own compositions. Actually these nine CD's of new material could be viewed as a monument to Johnny Cash's genius. It should be noted that Cash and Rubin recorded a whole lot more tracks that could fit on the aforementioned CD's. So, now, comes the release of "VI: Ain't No Grave" which is designed to be released on what would be Cash 78th birthday. It is the tenth instalment in the series of recordings (that is still susceptible to grow larger in the future). "American VI" is very similar in mood to "American V". As on "American V", Cash sings in a cracked, whispered drawl. Every note sounds like it has been required quite an effort on the singer's part. This is, of course, not really a problem in itself. On this deeply intimate statement, Johnny Cash looks back on his eventful life as if he was standing at the end of the line (as he actually was!) I am happy to be able to enjoy versions of songs like "For the Good Times" (from Cash's close friend Kris Kristofferson) and of Tom Paxton's "Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound". They are truly on a par with the best songs that were issued on the earlier albums. Sheryl Crow's song - "Redemption Day" - gets a haunting treatment. The beautiful and, at the same time, desperate mood of the song is something that only Cash could interpret in such a definitive way. The versions of Bob Nolan's "Cool Water" (made famous by the Sons of the Pioneers in 1941), of Ed McCurdy's hopeful "Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream", of Hayes/Rhodes "With a Satisfied Mind" as well as a version of Hawaiian singer Queen Lydia Lili'uokalani's "Aloha Oe", a farewell song, are also highly satisfying. Finally, there is one other good Cash original, a modern day song titled "I Corinthians: 15:55". Like on previous albums in this series, the material spans a lot of styles and times. "American VI" was - as American V" - recorded by Cash's long-time engineer, David Ferguson and primarily tracked at the Cash Cabin Studio (Henderson, TN) and also in Los Angeles. Guitarist Mike Campbell and keyboardist Benmont Tench, who played on all of the series' albums (save for the first one) were joined in the studio by guitarists Matt Sweeney and Jonny Polonsky, as well as Smokey Hormel, who also played on "American IV and V". Seth and Scott Avett make a cameo appearance on the title song titled "Ain't No Grave" which is well in line with the overall theme of the album: "Well there ain't no grave/Can hold my body down..." The two remaining tracks are, for now, less appealing to me. Anyway, 8 pretty good tracks out of 10 make sure that this album is of a high musical and emotional standard. Johnny Cash might not walk around and sing anymore but his recorded artistry will keep him alive as one of the most important performers of the second part of the 20th century.

This is the very final installment of the Johnny Cash/Rick Rubin years and its going out on top. Whilst other artists would probably be scraping the barrel by this point, this set sees many of the tracks Johnny recorded in the time leading up to his death, and similar to the last few CDs in the series, they are poignant as well as special. Johnny has been quoted as saying that the work he was doing with Rubin was the only thing keeping going after June sadly passed away and you can almost feel he's nearing the end as the songs see him looking back on his life and dealing with the difficult subject of salvation, faith and friendship. This really is a wide range of songs that includes covers of Kris Kristofferson's 'For The Good Times'and'Redemption Day' by Sheryl Crowe, as well as one of the last songs he wrote 'First Corinthians', and its quite ironic that the set finishes with a song called 'Ain't No Grave'. The Rubin years have really proved what a great talent Johnny was and that he can't be pigeon holed as simply a country musician, and this final set, almost 50 years on from his first recordings, is a great tribute to one of the great artists of popular music.

I listen to this CD three or four times to be able to take it in and actually listen and hear but it is a fantastic CD and recommend it to all. I purchased quite a few Cash CDs and enjoyed them all, but this one has such a haunting voice and melodies

American vi is the end of an epoch an such a fitting and powerful end. Cash rumbles from the speakers with all the power the old man can muster. I expected to find it a rather morbid and depressing listen; instead it is so uplifting and provides an incite into where johnny is now. I fully recommend this short but life affirming record.

I've always been a big Johnny Cash fan and there are surely no other singers who can have stayed so relevant over the decades, inspiring and working with artists from all generations. Ain't No Grave is a fitting epitaph to the great man. His voice is much frailer but still has that unique gritty quality; the songs have a sad theme and yet they are somehow uplifting through their gentle simplicity.

A little sombre and reflective but if you like J Cash's music then you'll not fail to be moved by this selection of songs.

Excellent album. Moving, moody - I only wish it was longer. Stand out tracks: 1 Corinthians & Redemption Day. The whole 'American Recordings' series is excellent and this is a fitting finale.

Johnny Cash was part man, part myth and part legend and a Colossus who bestrode the roads of Americana, Country and Folk for half a century. "American VI - Ain't No Grave" is Johnny's final studio album and the last in the Rick Rubin series that began, to great acclaim, in 1994 with American Recordings The tracks were recorded in 2004 during the same sessions that produced American V: A Hundred Highways. It was during these sessions that his wife, June Carter Cash, died. Despite this grievous loss, and the knowledge that he too was dying, he completed the content of both albums with a heightened sense of pain and sorrow and died three months later. Johnny Cash was born February 26 1932 and so this release almost coincides with what would have been his 78th birthday. When first they met Rick Rubin told Cash that he'd watched him on stage and that he'd lost none of his fire and passion. As these recordings show, even 10 years later, he was right. Morover, as JC wrote in his 1997 autobiography Cash: The Autobiography Rubin managed to capture the "honest, unadulterated essence" of Johnny Cash and never more so than on these final recording. Cash was a deeply religious man and his readings of the traditional "Ain't No Grave" and his own "I Corinthians 15.55" based on the New Testament verse provide compelling insights into his convictions: "Oh Death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?" Not even death was going to conquer his spirit, fire and passion. Despite the many contradictions in his life, Johnny was also a passionate champion of social justice and so it is fitting that Sheryl Crow's "Redemption Day2 is included. I love the way he sings "There is a train that's heading straight To Heavens Gate, to Heaven's Gate" and that's his love of the railroad coming through. There are two odes to love lost. Kris Kristofferson's "For The Good Times" is a song of singular beauty but the reading by the gravely ill Cash is so poignant that I felt crushed by the emotion. If ever proof was needed that he was the master story teller, this is it. Then there is: "It Don't Hurt Anymore, all my teardrops have dried, No more walking the floor, with that hurting inside. Just to think it could be, time has opened the door And at last I am free, it don't hurt anymore." These are words sung with his customary dignity and grace and high on emotion, too. "Aloha Oe, one fond embrace 'ere I depart, until we meet again". And so, American VI ends the song cycle of his life as his 1955 Sun recordings began it, with a beguiling simplicity and a uniqueness of style that shone across 50 years without its essence diminished by time. This album should be Johnny Cash's final legacy. Sad, poignant and emotional yes, but this should also be a celebration of the life of The Man In Black. There is nothing more to be said.

Johnny Cash is forever with us, in spirit and in his music. The sixth volume of the Americana is a reminder of his greatness. During the last few years of Johnny Cash's life he spent much of his time recording songs that meant a great deal to him. We know from his daughter, Rosanne Cash's recent CD, that her father loved the old time folk/gospel songs. This CD brings us the uplifting, redeeming qualities that may have been in Johnny Cash's mind as he sang the songs he loved. This is a gruff old voice, but the meaning of his life surrounds us. Rick Rubin produced this CD, as he has all of the Americana series. There are ten songs on this CD that bring the face of death before us. And, at the same time, we are privy to a forgiving spirit that has seen it all. 'Ain't No Grave' is so perfect, as it opens up the view of the spirit that grows as the CD proceeds. Nothing is going to keep him down. 'Redemption Day' is a Sheryl Crow song that had an anti-war stance, but with Johnny Cash it is a song sorrow and love for all- merciful. 'For The Good Times' an old Kris Kristofferson tune, is my favorite- an old hand, giving a tip of the hat to the times of yore when things were good. A sentimental favorite that we all can relate to. 'Corinthians'- 'death where is thy sting'- looking forward to seeing those gone before. 'Can't Help But Wonder Where I'm Bound' a Tom Paxton tune, wandering and wondering what he was meant to be. A look back and forward to whatever is coming. 'Satisfied Mind'-everything that has gone before is done and done-some regrets but not many- 'believe there is no doubt;- he leaves this old world with a satisfied mind'. 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'- an old folk/western song- all hurts are forgotten and forgiven. Loves lost and new ones found. 'Cool Water'- was this not an old Frankie Lane song- we can feel the parched throat and the release with that cool water. 'Dan can't you see that green tree with water running free for you and me'. Love this tune. 'Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream'-there was no war, no strife, no poor, no more war ever. The people were dancing round and round, guns and swords were scattered all around'. All life's woes are solved and it is time to rejoice. . 'Aloha Oe-Aloha Oe Queen Lili'uokalani's Hawaiian goodbye: 'Until we meet again' Johnny Cash has given us his peace of mind that carries on. He wishes for peace and love while he faced his mortality. Over the years, Johnny Cash always sang the tunes that were right for him at that moment, in his death, he continues. Aloha Oe, Johnny Cash Highly Recommended prisrob 02-23-10 The Essential Johnny Cash American IV: The Man Comes Around

Got mine today, 2 days ahead of release date.The opening track is great with the banjo in the background.Track 6 Satisfied mind, Some poeple will be familiar with as this was a track included on the 2nd kill bill soundtrack,All in all a very good selection of songs.Shame the cd inlay does not provide any information apart from the song writers.Rear cover art has no songs printed on it just a blurry picture of johnny looking out of a window.Enjoy!