Wooo. Not sure how to approach this album. At the end of his (pretty chequered) life, Mr. Cash goes and records some songs. Papa got hold of American V and what a treat.
The gravel almost gone in his voice, Johnny Cash sings or rather drones out dirges. He doesn't seem to sing so much as to drag out the lyrics to the songs in a monologue. And the songs- Help Me, God's gonna cut you down, I'm free from the chain gang now,etc....Looks like here's a man waiting at his last stop in life, killing time by doing the only thing he can -by singing.
The gravel almost gone in his voice, Johnny Cash sings or rather drones out dirges. He doesn't seem to sing so much as to drag out the lyrics to the songs in a monologue. And the songs- Help Me, God's gonna cut you down, I'm free from the chain gang now,etc....Looks like here's a man waiting at his last stop in life, killing time by doing the only thing he can -by singing.
On first listening, you would think it was just the vanity of a dying man. And a record company pandering [can't hurt, there's got to be some $$ there still] . But then the voice... It will pull you in, if you let it. And if you listen beyond the tremor in the voice and the weariness behind the man, then you will find a quiet dignity of a beautiful and honest album. A kind of tacky mixed with a whole lot of tasteful.
And then you hear the need of a great singer and legend to sing one last time. He just wants to sing "Well our good times are now gone, and I'm bound for moving on, I'll look for you if I'm ever back this way.."- Four strong winds. The strong, strong voice is gone, it breaks and shatters everywhere.
"Got on my dead man's suit and my smilin' skull ring
My lucky graveyard boots and a song to sing
I got a song to sing, it keeps me out of the cold
And I'll meet you further on up the road.
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
Where the way is dark and the night is cold
One sunny mornin' we'll rise I know
And I'll meet you further on up the road.
-Further on up the road.
Track for track, probably the most brutally honest and gentle album that I have heard, exceeding Lucinda Willian's pean in Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.
J. Cash, free from the chain-gang now.
(PS-Or maybe not really...JCash is still working for the record company, from beyond the grave. I kid you not- American VI : Ain't No Grave was released on what would have been his 78th birthday. There must be a sub-species of irony at work here. )
(PPS- but then the last song he ever wrote is 1 Corinthians 15:55 . That will probably close out American VI. Papa can't wait to get it. For non-Christians and more for ease of reference, that verse goes:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?")
Last words from beyond the grave. 'Nuff said.
"Got on my dead man's suit and my smilin' skull ring
My lucky graveyard boots and a song to sing
I got a song to sing, it keeps me out of the cold
And I'll meet you further on up the road.
Further on up the road
Further on up the road
Where the way is dark and the night is cold
One sunny mornin' we'll rise I know
And I'll meet you further on up the road.
-Further on up the road.
Track for track, probably the most brutally honest and gentle album that I have heard, exceeding Lucinda Willian's pean in Car Wheels on a Gravel Road.
J. Cash, free from the chain-gang now.
(PS-Or maybe not really...JCash is still working for the record company, from beyond the grave. I kid you not- American VI : Ain't No Grave was released on what would have been his 78th birthday. There must be a sub-species of irony at work here. )
(PPS- but then the last song he ever wrote is 1 Corinthians 15:55 . That will probably close out American VI. Papa can't wait to get it. For non-Christians and more for ease of reference, that verse goes:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?")
Last words from beyond the grave. 'Nuff said.
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