The early 90’s, in the realm of popular music was caught up with the frenzy of alternative and the grunge sounds. Bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden had become mainstream and mighty popular. Amidst this, in 1994, came an album which sounded as if God came down, picked up an acoustic guitar and recorded 13 brilliant songs using his voice and that guitar. The LP was ‘American Recordings’ and God was the forgotten country legend Johnny Cash. The other giant who contributed to the album was the maverick producer Rick Rubin.

Having worked with rockers and hip hoppers, Rubin was looking for some fresh material for his newly formed label, American. Johnny Cash was the living country legend whose past work was revered by fans, but the man’s music had become largely irrelevant for more than a decade or so. Rubin, a big fan of Cash, hit upon a brilliant idea. He set up some recording equipment in Cash’s Tennessee cabin and asked him to do whatever he wanted to do. The resulting 13 songs accompanied just by Cash’s acoustic guitar, showcases the beautiful texture of Cash’s unique voice with just the right depth that it had acquired with age. ‘American Recordings’ is one of the most intimate expressions by an aging artist. Also, it proved that one of the world’s best instrument was Cash’s voice.

The selection of songs by Cash is also very interesting and perhaps some would have been suggested by Rubin as well. There are the brilliant originals like Delia’s Gone, Redemption and Like a Soldier. Then there are beautiful covers like that of the already lovely Bird on the Wire by Leonard Cohen, Cash’s friend, Kris Kristofferson’s Why Me Lord and interestingly Down there By the Train by Tom Waits.

And this was just the start of the second coming for the country giant. Cash and Rubin went on to do a series of albums in this format; creating classic covers from the material of bands as varied as U2, Nine Inch Nail and Depeche Mode. The series, starting with this album, gave the much deserved messianic stature to the Man in Black in world of country music.

Year: 1994

Label: American

Producer: Rick Rubin

Genre: Country

Length: 42:45

Rating: 4.5/5

Reviewed by Meraj Hasan

Meraj Hasan is a Mumbai based communication professional (and an amateur poet/musician) with a passion for listening to music the vinyl way. His 25 year old Technics turntable along with a humble collection of LPs across genres like Classic rock, Classical, Blues and Jazz (amongst others) are his prized possessions.

He can be reached at +91 9833410791 or email: meraj.hasan@gmail.com