In 1993, Johnny Cash was between record deals and about to embark on an iconic collaboration with producer Rick Rubin which would cover the last 10 years of his life, starting from American Recordings1994.
During this crucial time in his career, Cash immersed himself in making and recording original demos that showcased his prowess as a composer. Those songs, once set aside, were released this week as a full album. Cash’s son, John Carter Cashhe stripped down the recordings to his father’s voice and acoustic guitar and turned to co-producer David “Fergie” Ferguson and to some musicians his father had previously worked with to complete the recordings.
Aptly titled Songwriterthe album contains 11 tracks written by Cash. Only two tracks will be familiar to fans of Rubin’s albums: “Drive On” and “Like a Soldier” were previously released on American Recordings. While Rubin’s versions favored deep minimalism – just an acoustic guitar and Cash’s idiosyncratic vocal tone – Songwriter They have a more layered sound with additional instrumentation. They are not better, just different.
Emphasizing Cash’s role as a songwriter, this collection contrasts with his typical albums or recorded live performances, which often mix his own compositions with songs by other writers. This album allows listeners to appreciate Cash as a performer, composer and lyricist, highlighting a unique intersection of his artistic journey.
The previously released first single, the rockabilly-infused “Well Alright,” exudes Cash’s unmistakable style to such an extent that it could easily have found a place alongside classics like “Big River.” (In an alternate timeline, the song could appear on Cash’s repertoire.) The Grateful Dead).
On the whole, Songwriter offers a glimpse into a brief creative phase of Cash’s career that would be interrupted by a brilliant creative collaboration with Rubin. Although it is not his most audacious work, Songwriter remains a moving journey into a defining moment in Cash’s musical legacy. And who doesn’t like listening to unreleased material from the Man in Black?
Source: AP
