|
| Johnny Cash, American V: A Hundred Highways |
|
| REVIEWED
BY JASON GLADU, POSTED ON JULY 28,
2006 |
|
  |
|
The late Johnny
Cash started recording A Hundred Highways as soon as production
ended on 2002’s American IV: The Man Comes Around,
which is quite amazing considering that The Man in Black was
at death’s door. As producer Rick Rubin writes in the liner
notes, "Some days
his voice was weak and he sounded like he was panting, trying to
get enough air. Other days his voice boomed with power and gravity."
As with past American releases, Rubin includes those moments
of weakness and, as always, they add an extra layer of sorrow,
especially on album opener "Help Me" ("Oh
Lord, help me to walk another mile, just one more mile, I’m
tired of walking alone") and on first single "If
You Could Read My Mind," where Cash is barely able
to catch his breath in between bars and the song is reminiscent
of his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt" from The
Man Comes Around.
Other essential tracks include “Like the 309,” Bruce
Springsteen’s "Further
on Up the Road" and "I’m Free from the
Chain Gang Now," all which has a laid back, folksy feel – though
you can still hear the rebel in Cash’s music and baritone
voice.
Rubin and Cash supposedly recorded over 50 songs throughout
his final days but if A Hundred Highways is
his last release (rumour has it, it’s not) it’s a
fitting end to a career that has spanned over five decades. The
Man in Black will forever transcend time and will always be a
source of inspiration to people worldwide. (American
Recordings/Lost Highway)  |
|
|
