Johnny Cash

Item: Unearthed
Author: Luke Harlow

Unearthed

(2003)

Reviewed by Luke Harlow

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Label American RecordingsDecapolisJanuary 2004

americana country gospel

When Johnny Cash passed away in September 2003, most fans and critics believed he had gone out on top. His final studio album, the 2002 success "The Man Comes Around," like the three that preceded it on famed rap and hard rock producer Rick Rubin's American Recordings, featured a collection of covers and gospel songs, all with the well-known Johnny Cash sound.

Almost a year after "The Man Comes Around" appeared on shelves, American Recordings released "Unearthed" a five-disc box set that serves as a fitting final chapter both to Cash's career and his work with Rubin and American. The first four discs, the real meat of the set, feature original recordings (the fifth disc is a "best of" on American), all reminiscent of the four American albums. On "Unearthed" we hear covers of songs that do not seem like typical Cash fare (like Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" with Joe Strummer), we hear gospel songs, we hear traditional, old school country tunes, an eclectic mix of supporting artists are brought in (like Strummer, Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and Carl Perkins), and it all sounds like great Johnny Cash.

Unlike many box sets that feature outtakes, "Unearthed" is a collection of great recordings that just could not make it onto the original records due to space constraints. (Over 100 songs were recorded for "American Recordings," the first Rubin-produced Cash album; only 13 made the final album). Also, the 100 page booklet adds incredible background information. It includes a "story" behind Cash on American as well as personal comments--some of which are really candid--from Cash, Rubin, Rosanne Cash, and others about every song in the box set. Cash had a huge hand in putting the set together, but this collection is not just a treasure trove for Cash fans. This is a great set of recordings for anyone interested in good, solid, American music.

4/4