The words of few songwriters have touched me as deeply as those of Johnny Cash. His lyrics were full of beautiful honesty. This album proves I am far from alone on this. Johnny Cash had written lyrics and poems that he never got to turn into full songs. This album shows great performers taking these words and turning them into there own songs. None of these artists try to sound like Johnny Cash. There is little of Johnny Cash's famous sound in this album. Each song is in the style of the artist performing.
So let's have a look.
Forever/ I Still Miss Someone- Kris Kristofferson and Willie NelsonThis is the shortest track on this album and it feels it. The track starts off with Willie Nelson playing a short part of the 1958, Johnny Cash classic I Still Miss Someone on guitar. Willie's very unique guitar style is heard to great effect here, and he proves why he is one of the best guitar players in country music. Kris Kristofferson joins in not singing, but rather reciting a lovely short poem written by Johnny Cash. My fellow Kris Kristofferson fans may be disappointed here as he doesn't get to do much on this album. This happens in a matter of 47 seconds and just feels to brief to leave the impact it should. However it is nice for what it is.
To June This Morning - Ruston Kelly and Kacey MusgravesA soft slow ballad. The melody is sweet and relaxing. It lets us fully take in Johnny's words. The lyrics here are absolutely gorgeous. This is a sweet and touching love song to Johnny's wife. The lyrics are simple and straightforward and celebrate the little moments where nothing big was happening and the two were just enjoying being together.
Gold All Over the Ground - Brad PaisleyThis is certainly a song in Brad Paisley recognizable style of country music. This style and Johnny's lyrics complement each other perfectly. This is a lovely country ballad, and a very straight forward love song.
You Never Knew My Mind - Chris CornellIt is interesting to see Chris Cornell associated with this album considering his passing. That can be simply explained by stating that this is one of his last recordings. Johnny did an amazing cover of Cornell's Rusty Cage on his 1996 album Unchained. After that cover, Chris Cornell does a fantastic interpretation of Johnny's words here. This is one of the best songs on the album. The lyrics sound like the self-reflective type of lyrics Johnny would sing later in his life. They are incredible moving and Cornell sings them with full emotion here.
The Captain's Daughter - Alison Krauss & Union StationThis is just simply lovely. These Johnny Cash lyrics sound like something, he would have sung with June on their 1967 album, Carrying On With Johnny Cash and June Carter. It is an old fashioned ballad telling of a forbidden love story of two lovers separated by their social classes. One wonders if this was not meant as a duet for him and June as both lovers get a chance to speak. Alison and Union Station do this song in their usual combination of bluegrass and folk music. It works perfectly and this whole song is just so sweet.
Jellico Coal Man - T. Bone BurnettThis song does not have the depth that the previous songs did. It is instead just a fun song. The music behind the lyrics is much more rock and roll than anything we have heard to this point. The bass playing here is one of the few cases though of Johnny's style being used. It doesn't full sound like the "boom-chicka-boom" we all know but the influence can be felt.
The Walking Wounded - Roseanne Cash
Johnny Cash liked to incorporate much social commentary into some of his songs. This is the first strong use of this on the album. This song serves as a reminder to never forget those worse off than we are and never forget to lend them a helping hand. This song is turned into a lovely country ballad by Johnny's daughter, and her voice conveys the message perfectly.
Them Double Blues - John MelloncampThis is pure fun rockabilly. The lyrics at fun and John Melloncamp complements this perfectly by providing a great blend of rock and country and just having fun with what is here. No deep meanings here, just fun.
Body on Body - JewelVery sensual lyrics for Johnny Cash. They are also very beautiful and bring to mind beautiful images. Jewel's arrangement works perfectly here as it is soft and lovely and lets the lyrics shine.
I'll Still Love You - Elvis CostelloA simple and straightforward love ballad. The arrangement here is simply lovely incorporating string and horns into the mix, making it sound like a classic ballad. Elvis sings it quite well too.
It is worth noting that Johnny Cash and Elvis Costello had previously recorded together a version of the George Jones song, We Ought to Be Ashamed in 1979.
June's Sundown - Carlene CarterJohn's stepdaughter does a fantastic interpretation of these lyrics Johnny wrote about her mom. The lyrics are some of the loveliest on this collection. The imagery described here is so vivid, that these lyrics take you to another place when listening. Carlene's arrangement is lovely and brings to mind some of Johnny's later day recordings. This is truly a highlight.
He Bore it All - Daily and VincentNow if you want some great southern gospel, here you go. Johnny writes about how Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. Daily and Vincent bring a very fun bluegrass style to this song, that will no doubt make your toes tap. Before starting the song, Matthew 11:28 (Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.) is quoted. Even though he may have not always lived the life a Christian ought to lead, Johnny knew there was a God and always found inspiration in the words of God. In his best gospel work those beliefs can be felt, and that is certainly true with these lyrics here and even in the upbeat bluegrass performance by Daily and Vincent, which so jubilant even none believers may want to shout "hallelujah." Chinky Pin Hill - I'm With Her I'm With Her is an incredible female folk trio composed of Sara Watkins (Formally of Nickel Creek), Sarah Jarosz and Aoife O’Donovan. This track shows them stepping into a bit of bluegrass/folk style. These are rather silly lyrics and as such the group just has fun with it. This is an upbeat toe-stomping fun song and works extremely well at being that.
Goin', Goin' Gone - Robert Glaser Featuring Ro James and Anu Sun
This is by far my least favorite song on this album. The lyrics are Johnny being honest about his problems with drugs. However it is the music where this song doesn't work. The lyrics don't seem to fit this R&B themed music and the whole thing feels off.
What Would I Dreamer Do? - The Jayhawks
The music itself sounds a lot like other songs I have heard, but it is still nice. The lyrics are fantastic. There are a bit fanciful and like other songs here they bring beautiful images to mind.
Spirit Rider - Jamey Johnson
A great way to end this album. Jamey Johnson is one of the most pure country singers out there today, and like all good country singers his songs are full of pure emotion and that can be felt here. He uses melody to this song, which perfectly complements both his voice and Johnny's love lyrics.
Johnny's son, John Carter Cash co-produced this album with Steve Berkowitz. Berkowitz had produced Johnny Cash's classic 1968 live album, At Folsom Prison and his 1969 live album, At San Quentin. He also produced some of Bob Dylan's best albums including Another Side of Bob Dylan (1964), Brining it all Back Home (1965) and Blonde on Blonde (1966).
This a fantastic album and I can't recommend it enough.
-Michael J. Ruhland
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