The title track now, Unchained was written by singer-songwriter Jude Johnstone but hadn't been previously recorded. You can't help but be drawn in by the words. I'm not great at listening to lyrics but Cash is a brilliant story teller and the story unfolds perfectly. Written by Bobby George and Charles Williams made famous by Roy Clark, there are hints of Cash's own family history. I Never Picked Cotton is one of favourite tunes on the album. Cash already writing lyrics in 1996 that ponder death and what may be beyond it. Meet Me in Heaven is a more sombre affair that I think was a new composition for this album. Mean Eyed Cat is a fast one that it's hard not to love. Which is pretty bloody deep.īack to back Cash originals next.
JOHNNY CASH UNCHAINED CD FULL
Tom resists the urge to provide backing vocals on this and lets Johnny explore the full depth of his range. Seems only fair that with them providing the music Cash also cover a Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers tune. It's the perfect lead in to The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea a Carter Family song that was recorded by The Louvin Brothers for their Satan is Real album. Cash's religious faith adds gravitas to the words, I've no religious conviction but the raw emotion is plain to hear. Flea of The Red Hot Chilli Peppers makes an appearance on Bass, though not sure I could tell if I'd not read the sleeve. Some lovely 12-string* guitar twanging brings out the melody. It's a lovely track that resonates with Cash's tenor. Spiritual was written by Josh Haden for his band Spain, neither of whom I know anything about.
At this point in his career he could probably sing the phone directory and make it sound meaningful. It's a little twee in places but Cash's voice is wonderful.
JOHNNY CASH UNCHAINED CD FREE
This is a different arrangement that shakes the song free of any kitsch associations and really brings it to life. Memories Are Made Of This is familiar, probably because of the hit Dean Martin had with it. It's quickly followed by Country Boy, a Cash original from the late fifties, which adds some pace and is a great little song. A Jimmie Rogers tune that's a bit too sentimental for my taste. The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart) is a bit of a come down after Rusty Cage. It's a brilliant choice of tune with a deep chugging riff that hints at it's grunge origin whilst retaining the country feel. Rusty Cage is a cover of a Soundgarden tune which has producer Rick Rubin's imprint all over it. OK, this is where things start to get interesting. More goodness from the sleeve notes, Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood add acoustic guitar and percussion respectively. It's another smashing tune with great lyrics that befit a song written by Hal David & Paul Hampton. There's a second voice in this that could be Tom Petty (it is, I just read the cover). More of the same follows with Sea of Heartbreak. Upbeat and catchy but with a nice country twang from the band that I believe was largely made up of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers. Johnny's vocal is deep and rich and it's a great opener. I realise now that as much as I love this version I never got around to digging out Beck's version.
JOHNNY CASH UNCHAINED CD SERIES
I owned a Cash compilation but it was this series of albums that caught my attention and encouraged me to explore his catalogue in greater depth.įirst track is Rowboat a cover of the Beck song originally on the intriguingly named Stereopathetic Soulmanure. Unchained is the second in the American Recordings series with producer Rick Rubin that revitalised his career and brought his work to a new audience (including me).
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