Cash's Final Recordings Set for Release


The final recordings made by country music legend Johnny Cash will be released by his longtime producer and friend Rick Rubin this summer. American V: A Hundred Highways features a dozen tracks, including the final song Cash wrote - "The 309." According to Rubin, Cash felt a sense of urgency to record his final album after his wife June Carter Cash died in May 2003. He recalls, "Once June passed, he had the will to live long enough to record, but that was pretty much all. A day after June passed, he said, 'I need to have something to do every day. Otherwise, there's no real reason for me to be here.'" Rubin kept an engineer and guitarist on standby around the clock so Cash could record when his health permitted. He adds, "It's an amazingly sad album. At times it's hard to get through, but it's really beautiful. It's remarkable to hear an artist of his stature being so vulnerable and open and sounding strong so late in his life. I don't think there's ever been an album like this."


This is great news. I have American IV: The Man Comes Around, and I think it's one of the best recordings ever, certainly one of his best. This sounds like it's going to really be special and I can't wait for it.

Any other fans of Cash here or anyone else anxious to buy this album?

The Doc

yes, and yes. I'll definately be getting it.

And I'm still mad at you for the CSNY tickets you got :p

Yep, I'm another Cash fan. It's rare that my husband and I actually agree on music.

I'm sure I'm one of a hundred "new" Cash fans who got turned onto his music from the movie, Walk the Line. I think I've listened to the entire American IV: The Man Comes Around album, but not 100%. I'll listen to the new one but my favorite is definitely Live at Folsom Prison

Last week I finally rented "Walk The Line". I did not know that he was married before and he was in the military. I also didn't know that June had kids before John. Did they have any kids together? The love that he had for June not wanting to go on living with out her. I know he was very sick to. I wonder if his first wife is still alive? I to will buy the new Cd.

This is great news. I'll definitley go and get it.

My love and respect for him can never be explained..
It's a JOHNNY CASH THING, AND THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY..
I will continue to honor him at every chance...
The Man With The Guitar On His Back.

Thank you so much for just mentioning my Man Cash!

I think the last recordings of a musician's life are fascinating. I can't wait for it.

One of my top 5 favorites as of late. His cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt is hauntingly beautiful.

yes, and yes. I'll definately be getting it.

And I'm still mad at you for the CSNY tickets you got :p [/b][/quote]Hahaha.

I'm basically still in a state of shock, so it has yet to hit me as to how cool it will be to see Neil Young that close.

As for Cash, what can I say. One of the best artists ever!

The Doc

This is going to rule.

It's a few weeks away, set to be released on July 4th.

While looking at it's Wikipedia article, I noticed this;

Yes.

Unfortunately, many are mediocre (George Harrison's Brainwashed, for example, has good songs...and some not so good songs).

Just bought it today. Blew my mind. Seriously. This could be his best album ever, including Folsom. His voice is SO weak on some songs and you just want to reach out and hug him after the loss of June, yet on some tracks, like "God Will Cut You Down", his voice is more powerful than the likes of anything. After listening to the first song "Help Me", if you don't feel so pumped with emotion, you might need to check your pulse. His cover of the widely covered song "Four Strong Winds" rivals only Neil Young's version, but is a masterpiece all in itself. A Must Own. For Anyone. With Emotions.

Also bought American III: Solitary Man a while back. Also amazing. The tracks "The Mercy Seat" and "I See A Darkness" were some of the best songs I've heard in years.

The Doc

P.S. JJ, as for Brainwashed, I loved it. "Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" is one of my fav songs. "Any Road" is filled with so much energy and fun, it's impossible not to like. I was dissapointed with the title track though. All-in-all, a good farewell.

P.P.S. For another great "last album", check out Warren Zevon's The Wind. A few of the songs made me really emotional. But Zevon goes out in style as always.

I'm going to pick up a copy tomorrow.

After listening to it all day again, it only got MUCH better. Buy now, everyone!

You Bet, I have the "Personal File" CD too!
Thanks!

You Bet, I have the "Personal File" CD too!
Thanks! [/b][/quote]I wanted to buy that. How is it?

The Doc

You Bet, I have the "Personal File" CD too!
Thanks! [/b][/quote]I wanted to buy that. How is it?

The Doc [/b][/quote]Oh Doc it is great, It's like he is in the room with you telling his story, in song.
I miss him!

I just got it. So far it's great.

I finished listening to it today and it's magnificent. This is definitley one of John's finest albums. My favorite song off this is probably "If You Could Read My Mind."

"Cash Scores First US Number One Album Since 1969"

Country legend Johnny Cash has scored his first US album chart number one in almost 30 years - three years after his death. The singer recorded American V: A Hundred Highways from a wheelchair at his home in Tennessee as he battled blindness and diabetes in his final four months. And his swan songs have earned Cash his first US chart topper since live album Johnny Cash At San Quentin went to number one in 1969.

The new album, which earned a number one debut today with just 88,000 first-week sales, also ends the Dixie Chicks' seven-week reign atop the Billboard Country Albums charts.

Though it's a great week for Cash and album producer Rick Rubin, it's a bad week for the US album charts - American V: A Hundred Highways has broken a new record as the lowest-selling number one debut since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking chart data in 1991.

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Way to go Johnny! Still scoring from the grave!

That is awesome. A dying Johnny Cash, struggling to get lyrics from his mouth, can still top the fucking charts.

YOU GOT THAT RIGHT!----
STILL TOPS THE F------G CHARTS!

It's not one of my favorite Harrison albums. While it can't touch All Things Must Pass (can anything?), it falls somewhere near the bottom of the rung. It's okay. But I can't get into it as well as his other material.

Besides, my favorite Harrison album is still Live From Japan.

Johnny Cash was always a favorite of mine. My dad used to play his songs on guitar and sing them for me when I was younger. I have to say alot of my friends didn't like him until Walk the Line came out. I like all his music but haven't heard his final recording but read about it in EW. I Got Stripes is my favorite song.

Mig, His first wife passed away too- the same year i think as June & John.