Ladies and gentlemen, I'd like to propose a good old-fashioned cage match between Johnny Cash and any 50-plus-year-old rocker you can dig up. Round up their latest album and see if it can hold a candle to "American IV: The Man Comes Around."
Cash will whip any and all takers. He's got the credentials to do battle.
Cash does it all here.
There are originals. The title song, "The Man Comes Around" is a haunting take on the second coming from the biblical book of Revelation.
It begins with a scratchy recording of Cash's baritone reading from Revelations: "And I heard, as it were, the voice of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, "come and see," and I saw, and behold, a white horse..."
It's the work of a master craftsman. He explains the conception and birth of this song in the liner notes. To know more, buy the album.
There are also covers from all over the spectrum. The first one, "Hurt" is as dark as any song I've heard in years. It's a Nine Inch Nails song, and I would suggest Reznor just remove this song from his repetoire for the near future. Or at least call Cash out on stage to do the song justice. Cash takes the drug-users lament and turns it into an ode to a life winding down. Powerful.
More? How about Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," the Beatles' "In My Life," the Eagles' "Desperado," Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," and Sting's "I Hung My Head."
Cameos? How about Nick Cave belting out "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Or Don Henley singing along on "Desperado." Or Fiona Apple on "Bridge over Troubled Water." And Randy Scruggs plays along throughout, as does keyboard virtuoso Benmont Tench.
A couple of other notes: This is quintessential Cash. Stripped-down, bare recordings. A vocal, an acoustic guitar, a piano or organ. Even so, you'll be hard-pressed to remember that there are no drums in this recording. It's that good.
A tip o' the hat as well to producer Rick Rubin, who proves he can handle a legend. This one is going to stay in the mp3 player for a long time.
Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the video for "Hurt," which is included on a special DVD with the version of the album listed below at Amazon. Mark Romanek directs the film. Yes, it's a film, not a video. It's stark. Romanek does a clever job of mixing black and white and color videos from Cash's past with new imagery of the 70-year-old legend. The color palette is subdued. When Cash is shown, he's sitting in a sort of yellow-orange light. His museum (closed because of flood damage, not neglect, actually) is seen in blue hues.
When Cash pours wine on a table and sings "You could have it all/ my empire of dirt/ I will let you down. I will make you hurt/If I could start again/ a million miles away/ I would keep myself/ I would find a way," you know he understands all that means.
It's equally touching to see June Carter Cash watching as the man in black sings this plaintive tune. She's visibly moved. It's almost as if she worries that he'll be able to finish the song.
The video really makes the song. The song makes the video. Kudos to Romanek for this powerful piece of creativity.
"A sinister cabal of superior writers."
Article comments
1 - Steve Martinovich
American IV: The Man Comes Around is easily one of the best albums to come out in the last year. I'm still amazed as to how relevant Johnny Cash continues to be. Any man who can take Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus and make it good deserves to be in the front of the line when St. Peter calls on him.
2 - The Theory
yeah, most current, 22 year old rockers can't hold a candle to Mr. Cash...
peace.
3 - matthew carter
haven't picked up the new record yet but have pretty much everything he's ever done. if you haven't please read his autobiography, CASH. you'll be amazed how his book coincides with the art forms he and rick rubin have crafted with for the american recordings sessions. rock on men of old. except for the stones, you guys sit down, especially keith richards, quit doing interviews.
4 - matthew carter
haven't picked up the new record yet but have pretty much everything he's ever done. if you haven't please read his autobiography, CASH. you'll be amazed how his book coincides with the art forms he and rick rubin have crafted for the american recordings sessions. rock on men of old. except for the stones, you guys sit down, especially keith richards, quit doing interviews.
5 - CedricEllison
Johnny Cash is the most touching rock/country singer ever.......
He did it all and it will be hard (impossible) to replace him. My father listened to his albums as I grew up, now I listen to him as my son grows up.....Hi voice is stability to a fragile world....My condolences to his family....
6 - M
I love you forever JR Cash
7 - Dave
This is the best CD I have listened to in longer than I can remember. It is so moving, so touching. Romanek's "Hurt" left me in heart-wrenching pain.
RIP John, RIP June, together forever, again.
8 - Donald
Johnny Cash and his music will live on forever. He and June were nice people and will be missed but not forgotten. See you both in heaven when are time comes. Donald
9 - Diane
The circle is unbroken, Johnny. You're back with June, Jack and your folks, and there is one incredible jamming session going on in Heaven. You're with the old greats, Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Snow, Marty Robbins - and my daddy is probably jamming right along with you.
Thank you for indescribably incredible music.
See ya.