American VI: Ain't No Grave

"American VI: Ain't no grave" is the final in the Rick Rubin produced "American" series of CDs by Johnny Cash. Like its predecessors, it comprises pared-back covers, as well as (in this case), an original (and purpotedly final) composition by Cash.

"I Corinthians 15:55" is the lone original with lyrics looking at his mortality and the hope of seeing his Redeemer. Mortality, love, redemption, and spirituality colour the 10 songs on this beautiful CD, and I must say, for what supposedly comprises his last recordings, he sounds a lot stronger than he did on songs like "If you could read my mind" (from "American V"), or "Bridge over troubled water" ("American IV), where he was slightly reedy.

"Redemption day" (a Sheryl Crow composition) is a beautiful acoustic ballad that wouldn't sound out of place in a Western movie, with Cash singing about the "train that's heading straight to heaven's gate", while "For the good times" (a Kris Kristofferson composition) is a heartbreaking farewell to his lover as they part and he reminisces the good times they shared.

"Can't help but wonder where I'm bound" touches on his journey on earth and his curiousity over his final destination. The solemn "Last night I had the strangest dream" finds him dreaming of a world with no more war, against a richer musical backdrop than the other songs.

Highlight, in my opinion" is "Ain't no grave", his fearless and defiant proclamation that no grave can hold his body down when he hears the trumpet sound, and his looking forward to meeting Jesus, his mother and father. Chiming bell sounds, Soft guitars and banjo set to shuffling shackled-footstep sounds which provide the gentle beat to this stirring song.

As with the previous discs in the series, Cash inhabits and makes each song his own. It is obvious he knew his sojourn here was done and the songs reflect his strong belief of a life well lived and being reunited with loved ones on the other side of eternity. A masterpiece!

Perhaps the most surprising thing about AMERICAN VI: AIN'T NO GRAVE isn't that it was released (we love to exploit our deceased talents), but that it is such a solid album. These are among Cash's very last recordings, and it's true, his voice wasn't what it used to be (a review I read somewhere actually said Cash's voice got better closer to his death, or words to that effect; if you're offended and rather miffed, you aren't the only one), but that really isn't an issue on GRAVE. Sure, his voice slips here and there--but not as much as it did on AMERICAN V. And these are, overall, a better batch of songs, perhaps made slightly better by--of course--Cash himself, as well as the sparse acoustic arrangement.

This time, Cash covers songs from Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Hawaii, the Bible, and classic country radio; plus we get one of his final originals, "I Corinthians 15:55." Every single tune here is strong, a testament to who Cash was and the life he lived, especially at the end. There is not one disappointing song on here, and I mean that quite literally. From the opener (which sounds a bit too much like "God's Gonna Cut You Down," but maybe that isn't a bad thing) through the closer "Aloha Oe," every single one of these tunes/performances reaches into your soul and pulls at your heartstrings. And it's not because these were Cash's "final" recordings; it's because of the passion he put into them, and the passion that went into Rick Rubin's finishing them up.

Overall, Cash and Rubin's "American Recordings" series was one of the best things to hit the music world; I'd say "country music," but let's face it--compared to the current state of affairs in country music, the "American Recordings" belong in an entirely different category altogether. AIN'T NO GRAVE ain't no exception, if I may say so. It's one of the series' stronger entries, even if Cash's voice wasn't as hearty as at the beginning. Rest assured: if you purchase this album, and if you love music, you won't be disappointed. I'm there's more exploitation on the way; but this album comes off as genuine, as heart-felt, because it's not a compilation or some tribute: it's Cash himself, even ending on the song of his choice. This is a great album, plain and simple, from one of music's true (and too few) original talents.

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

Oh Death, Where is Thy Sting?, Feb 24 2010


Some background:
When I was 10 years old, my first concert was Johnny Cash. He was doing a promotional tour for Canada Trust and their new ATM machines which were then called "Johnny Cash Machines"! It was an amazing concert. I still remember June kicking off her shoes! My dad got to meet Johnny though I did not. It is one of his most treasured memories.

Now many years later, Rick Rubin has released American VI: Ain't No Grave. It is billed as the "final Johnny Cash studio album". Listening to it is simply an awesome experience. Although the album was only released yesterday as of this writing, and it is premature to judge, this may be my favourite American recording.

Beginning with the dark, powerful "Ain't No Grave", Johnny is defiant. He does not fear death. "Ain't No Grave" has more accompaniment than most of the tracks on this album, which are adorned only by the odd piano keys, steel guitar, or rhythm. Johnny's voice is weak, yet that baritone is so defiantly powerful. Even in illness, Johnny refused to stop making music, his aching voice a shadow of what it once was. Yet even that aching voice stirs powerful emotions through the music. Only Johnny can sing these songs the way he sings them.

Highlights for this listener included:
"Redemption Day", a track written by Sheryl Crow and an upbeat number.
"I Corinthians 15:55", Johnny's sole writing credit, taken from the Bible. Truly an inspiration. Johnny's faith kept him going in those last days.
"Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream", a song about a dream of world peace. Maybe Johnny was also imagining the place he thought he'd be after death took him.
"Aloha Oe", an upbeat Hawiian song, ending the album with the haunting words, "Someday, we'll meet again".

I know Rick Rubin lovingly produced these final six Johnny Cash albums, befriending the man and earning his trust. Knowing that, I trust that Rubin finished these songs the way that Johnny would have wanted them to sound. I do love what he did with the packaging. A picture of Johnny as a boy on the front, a ghostly Johnny gazing through a window on the back, no song list on the cover. Inside is a booklet with a copy of Johnny's handwritten lyrics to "I Corinthians 15:55", a really cool touch. No liner notes. Rubin lets the music speak for itself.

The American recordings, which also included the fantastic boxed set Cash Unearthed (5CD) and 1998's live VH1 Storytellers with Willie Nelson, will go down in history as some of the most important country recordings. Personally I cannot think of another artist in any genre who was so prolific in his or her last days. The fact that these final recordings are so diverse, so strong, and so powerful are a testament to the Man in Black.

5 stars. Rest in peace Johnny.

I have listened to the music of Johnny Cash since I was a young child, for thousands of hours. Needless to say, I was excited about this posthumous release by The Man In Black. It does not disappoint. "Ain't No Grave" is not only my favorite track on the album, but it is one of my favorite songs, ever, by Johnny Cash. The title track is a very powerful and determined track. When listening to the song, you'll be led to think of Lazarus, Jesus, maybe even Nosferatu. Johnny's voice is the center piece of the track, but the footstomps (provided by brother Seth Avett) makes me think of Johnny (and other angels) rising up from the grave: Heavenbound. The organ work in the title track reminds me of some of the work of Nick Cave. Avett Brother Scott Avett provides banjo work that is subtle, purposeful, and pleasantly haunting. I journey this Earth having seen all my parents, grandparents, and aunts pass on from human form and this is a song that gives me hope that they are joining Johnny Cash in a jam session up above.

Another song that transcends death on the album is "I Corrinthians 15:55," which is an intimate song penned by Johnny himself over the last three years of his life. This is a song that emanates contentment and satisfaction for a life well-lived and hope for the afterlife. I especially enjoy, in the c.d. version, the images of excerpts from Johnny Cash's handwritten drafts of the lyrics for this track. Seeing his handwriting helps connect us fans, on a personal level, to Johnny Cash.

I must admit that I am not a fan of Sheryl Crow's music, but Johnny Cash's rendition of her song "Redemption Day" really opens my eyes to her talent as a songwriter. "Redemption Day" includes keen and powerful lyrics that remain in my brain. When singing "Satisfied Mind" Johnny truly sells to the listener that his mind was and is indeed satisfied. One of my favorite songs, ever, is "Cool Water" and there is a cover of this classic cowboy song on this album. Johnny's voice of experience sings of "cool, clear water" and I have to envision him now singing songs in a land with the clearest and coolest of water.

This is a very special album. I recommend American VI: Ain't No Grave to Johnny Cash fans and to all lovers of intimate music.

Mescalito
American VI: Ain't No Grave
I and Love and You
Unearthed (5CD)
A: Enlightenment B: Endarkenment (Hint: There Is No C) (Dig)
Dear Companion
Johnny Cash - American III: Solitary Man (Piano/Vocal/Guitar Artist Songbook)
American III: Solitary Man
Roadhouse Sun
Between Daylight and Dark

Johnny Cash is a lot like Willie. You either hate his singing or you love it. The jury has always been split in our house. My wife hates him. I love him. I've been listening to Johnny Cash for over fifty years. I think I was hooked from the opening notes of "Ballad of a Teenage Queen," when I was only twelve or thirteen years old. Johnny went through a lot of transformations in the years between then and now, but the voice was always instantly recognizable. And now he's gone to that place none of can be honestly sure about. Maybe that's why one of my favorite songs from this album is "I Can't Help but Wonder Where I'm Bound." That's if I actually have a favorite. Because the mood of this last CD, recorded in the last months of Cash's life, remains unrelentingly somber. My assessment here may be colored by my continuing sadness, knowing that Johnny is really gone, and knowing that he was very much aware of his own imminent death when he recorded these songs. His beloved life partner, June Carter Cash was already gone. So maybe Johnny was ready. The melancholy is evident in every song here, in any case. The voice is a bit weaker, but the sentiments expressed were firm and true. Listening to Johnny sing "For the Good Times" nearly brings me to tears each time I listen. And I have listened dozens of times already. I can't seem to take this album off the player. Every simple and spare arrangement by Rick Rubin and company is letter-perfect. And the songs seem to get a little better every time I play it. Yes, there is much here to meditate on - death and loss, grief that won't end. But every time I listen, I want to paraphrase that line from To Kill a Mockingbird. "Stand up, child. Johnny Cash is singing." - Tim Bazzett, author of SOLDIER BOY: AT PLAY IN THE ASA

In the music world, no one has influenced a great deal of people like Johnny Cash. His influence spans across generations, songwriters and even music genres. From artists donning all black attire (Run DMC, Depeche Mode), walking the thin line between the sacred and the profane (DMX, Scarface), and refusing to label themselves (Beck), all of that was spawned from the Man In Black. So in 2010, American Recordings released the final installment "American VI: Ain't No Grave".
Like all other albums in this series, it was produced by Rick Rubin and it is considerably short clocking in at a little over 30 minutes. The album starts off with the title track which is also the first single, in which he sings "Ain't no grave that can hold my body down". It's a rather eerie statement- especially if you consider that he passed away in 2003. Following it is the Sheryl Crow song "Redemption Day" and later the Kris Kristofferson penned "For The Good Times" a song that was made famous by Al Green almost 40 years ago. Just about all of the songs are cover songs with the exception of "I Corinthians 15:55" which is the lone Johnny Cash composition. The album ends with the excellent track "Aloha Oe", and as soon as the song ends, you will want to play this album all over again in its entirety. In short, Johnny Cash has the best album out right now. Not just in country...in music, period.

It shouldn't be a big surprise that the Cash/Rubin connection has continued to produce great music long after Johnny's death. Ain't No Grave finds Cash in a much different place than he was on his prior album, A Hundred Highways. On A Hundred Highways, Cash sounded tired and very much like a man on his death bed. Ain't No Grave is a display of a man who has accepted death and who is not afraid. Johnny Cash delivers his own eulogy on Ain't No Grave and makes it very clear that death did not defeat him. From the first notes of "Ain't No Grave" to the comforting "until we meet again" on the final lyrics of "Aloha Oe", Johnny is a man who is celebrating life and embracing the next stage.

The title track is an immediate classic, much in the vein of "God's Gonna Cut You Down" on the prior album. It is haunting and emotionally stunning. The Avett Brothers add quite a lot to the track with the banjo and stomping. But the highlight for me is Cash's rendition of "For The Good Times". I have always been a Kristofferson fan, but this was never really my favorite song. Cash makes this song very much his own and you can easily visualize him sitting alone singing to a photo of June, longing to be with her again. It is a very touching tribute to her and surely does Kristofferson proud.

If this is to be Cash's "swan song", I don't think he could have done it better. This is a great cap to the American recordings and I hope we can look forward to an Unearthed II if Rubin and John Carter Cash have a few extra songs laying around. Rest in Peace, Mr. Cash. We will all miss you.

I hope this is the last Johnny Cash album to be released. The six American albums, plus the Unchained Boxed-Set represent arguably the best career ranaissance any artist has ever had. Thank Rick Rubin and the extraordinary band they assembled, including my personal favorite, Mike Campbell of The Heartbreakers. But most of all thank Johnny Cash for devoting his final years to his music.

His voice is noticeably frailer even than on American V, as he was truly at the end of his life on these final recordings. It diminishes his power not one bit, however, as he sings with the same passion and honesty he always did. The song selection is impeccable once again, and the musical accompaniment is once again sparse, always putting Cash's voice in the forefront.

It's not an innovative album, and it's not meant to be (though it's interesting and impressive the way the music in the final song subtly works in a bit of "how great thou art"). American VI, the final "aloha" from the greatest country musician ever to live, is a must-hear album, as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for the music, Johnny. We miss you.

Johnny Cash is,was and always will be a legend. This is another great performance from the man in black.He was a man on mission and you can hear it in his voice and song choices.I love CASH and will buy American VII and any more they have tucked away.Long Live the real King of Rock and Roll.