"American VI: Ain't No Grave" album
Released: February 23rd, 2010
Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, arrives the second posthumous Johnny Cash album, "American VI: Ain't No Grave." I typically ignore albums released after an artist's death. Typically, they consist of poorly written songs that were never meant to see the light of day. Michael Jackson's "This Is It" single is the most current example of such crap.
However, in this case, these tunes were supposed to have been released. And thankfully, they have been. During the final months of his life, Johnny Cash recorded a beautiful and heartbreaking collection of covers and one original.
Opening with the brilliant arrangement of Claude Ely's "Ain't No Grave", Cash declares that even death won't hold him down. The folky Avett Brothers add a layer of bone-chilling chains, footsteps, and banjo. Throughout the entire "American" series, Cash faces his impending death head on. Producer Rick Rubin's naked presentation highlights the frailty of Cash in his last moments. One can hear each tender crack in Cash's voice. Rubin has allowed the listener to feel as if they were in a living room with Cash during his final performance. Although most songs are about death, the album isn't nearly as depressing as it sounds. Ending with the famous Hawaiian theme "Aloha 'Oe" the album closes on a slightly humorous and uplifting note. Thanks to Rubin, Cash's incredibly prolific career comes to a respectful and dignified end on "American VI".
Listen to "Ain't No Grave"
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