Rating: **** (4 out of 4)

Availability:Widely Available

America stands on the verge of losing Johnny Cash, and that's a horrible thought.

Johnny Cash is without a doubt one of the premiere singer/songwriters of American music, as some could tell from the first moment they heard "Ring of Fire." Since then, Johnny Cash's career has spanned both decades and genres. He is the only person to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Recording Artist's Hall of Fame. Recently, Johnny Cash was diagnosed with Shy Drager Syndrome, also known as Multiple System Atrophy.

Johnny Cash's partnering with American Recordings (formerly Def American) has been one of the best label pairings in years, resulting in some fantastic new work from the artist, including his earlier release, American Recordings. Johnny Cash's Unchained is a series of 14 fantastic songs, produced by Rick Rubin and combining original work with traditional favorites. On this single album, we hear a wide range of Cash's styles, from the powerful rock chops of "Rusty Cage" to the mountain swing of "Mean Eyed Cat" and the slow gospel of "Kneeling Drunkard's Plea."

From the very first song, "Rowboat," you know that this album is going to be an accomplishment, with the instant burst of country strings and the mellow swell of Cash's all-too-powerful bass voice. His voice carries you through, too roughened to be Mel Torme's "velvet fog," but too smooth to be Mick Jagger's wail, you can almost see him sitting around a small room with a band of friends, strumming and singing. It's country the way it was meant to be played, running over into rock the way it should be heard and coming back into mountain swing. By the end of the CD, his fast and fun cover of "I've Been Everywhere," you know that you have just been taken on a musical tour by one of the greatest musicians to ever grace an American recording studio. Johnny Cash is more than just a musician, he's a national treasure.

The opinions expressed in the above reviews are those of Glen Williams and may not represent the views of slac.com or any of its members. Compliments, complaints, and comments should be addressed to gandalf@tricon.net

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