Reviews (page 3 of 13)
Awesome but sad
You know, had it not been made months before he passed away it wouldn't have hit as strong. "In My Life" got me shivering.
5 stars for Hurt alone. I've heard it before but not the album it came from.
i looove a final album and this is no exception!
I love all the ‘American’ records - what a way to book-end a career. That raw, emotional production is perfect; there can’t be many artists with such a long career behind them that manage to produce some of their best work in their final few years. There’s lots to love on this record but the cover of NiN’s Hurt is the one that, reasonably enough, gets the most attention. Truly sublime.
Love this
I needed this one, perfect for my mood today, so fuck it, 5 stars. It's also a pretty good record...
Powerful, emotional and a pretty good album. The rawness of its acoustic style is one of the most amazing aspects of it, as it definately gives it a specific tone and melancholy that's pretty hard to match. His version of Hurt is one of the most touching things there is musically.
Of course I knew 'Hurt' but I've never listened to the whole album. Glad I did. On the whole extremely solid. a few ups and downs ('Bridge over troubled water' just didn't do it for me) , so I'd score somewhere between 4-5 stars, if I were allowed to. However, as ' Hurt' , ' the Man Comes Around' , and ' Personal Jesus' are such Iconic tunes, I'll score a 5.
Nick cave song is a great track.
One of my favorite albums spanning country, gospel, and folk. Some great covers on there
I absolutely love Johnny Cash.
nunca había escuchado a johnny cash en vida y quede deslumbrada por su talento. además, ¿es "street of laredo" la inspiración para una de las canciones de lucy gray baird?
A fantastic album where Johnny Cash plays his favorite songs, a beautiful composition from himself (The Man Comes Around) and an unexpected cover of Nine Inch Nails that became a strong moment of his legendary career. The more stripped down arrangements, something typical of Rick Rubin, put the emphasis on his voice, his guitar and his delivery. The only thing I can say is that this album is beautiful, truly.
So dep and gravelly
If you ever need a reminder that pitchfork has overly cerebral, miss-the-forest-through-the-trees hipster dumbass critics, just refresh on the 6.9/10 review they gave this perfect gift of a soul-wrenching album a music legend gave the world on the eve of his death. Love this album and Johnny Cash very much.
Man this is so great! I’d only listened piecemeal before and am glad to have finally sat down for the full course.
Even at the time this came out it felt like Cash singing his own obituary, know that’s easy to say with hindsight but clearly remember having a conversation to that effect at the time with friend who is my joint Cash fan since we listened to his Dad’s old records. .Yes it’s mostly covers but it’s all Cash, the American recordings with Rick Rubin were an inspirational idea, thank you Rick. By the point of IV time is catching up, but they instead of trying to hide this they lean right it and embrace it. I am not unbiased here, I own most all of Cash’s albums ( even ropey 80s ones), but if you don’t feel the poignancy and weight here guess you look at music differently. 5 Star.
Best Song: Hurt I have owned this pretty much since it came out. An absolute classic of an album. 5/5.
very good recordings though I reject that this Hurt is better than the other Hurt
Legend of a man. Legend of an album
Man. I had heard a couple of these songs before (Hurt, Personal Jesus) although it was a long time ago, but the rest of them were mostly new to me. Man, I really loved every second of this album. Johnny's grizzled voice was just so perfect in these tunes. I especially liked Bridge Over Troubled Water and Desperado, and I think that that was in no small part due to the contributions of Fiona Apple and Don Henley (whom I despise as a businessman and person, but I loved as a musician), which added two distinct but equally nice contrast to Cash's tone. Give My Love To Rose felt especially poignant. I listened to this all the way through twice and could have gone back for more. I will be listening to this again in the future. Five stars, easily.
Day563 - what a great album to end on and what a legacy to leave
It's incredible to hear his voice at the end of his life singing these songs, especially Hurt. His voice has lost it's power, he's powerless to what is happening to him, and most of these songs are a reflection of that. Very powerful.
Raw and Powerful
I am not even a huge country or Johnny Cash fan, but this album hits hard. You can feel the weight of his experience through the beautifully arranged covers in such a way that they feel like completely different songs altogether. Gave it two listen throughs, and would gladly play through it again any other time, just need to have the tissues nearby.
The amazing Cash songs of HURT, The Man Comes Around. In My Life was a surprisingly touching ballad. His cover of Personal Jesus is also mellow and one of the better ones. The gravelly tones of Mr Cash are fitting for the songs of this album.
Great!
intimate, powerful and heavy
Love u cash
9/10 Favorites: The Man Comes Around Give My Love To Rose
one of the greatest US
All of these Rubin recordings are pure gold
TOP TOP TOP TOP TOP
Favorite songs: Sam Hall, Streets of Laredo, Tear Stained Letter, Personal Jesus, Hurt, We'll Meet Again, Danny Boy, Desperado, I Hung My Head, Give My Love to Rose, In My Life, The Man Comes Around , I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Least favorite songs: First Time I Saw Your Face 5/5
What a great album. Especially in the context of it being his final of 67 albums and a return to popular music relevance. I skipped one super slow song but I’ll listen to this album again. It’s the kind of album that I would put on sitting by myself and listening to every little detail of his voice and his emotion
I've always loved the cover of Hurt, but I never expected to love this whole album as much as I did.
I don't dig country, but I do dig Johnny Cash. I feel he changed the face of country for the better....now we slide back into the muck with shit like Morgan Wallen all over the place. Back to my punk rock I guess. I didn't want to focus on Hurt, but I am going to. The NIN original was a masterpiece that somehow got elevated by Johnny. Stripped down, brooding, and a powerful final offering from a man who knew he was at the end of it all. There is such incredible power here and it triggers a strong emotional response every time I hear it. Watch the video if you want something even more visceral. Five stars for Hurt 3.5 overall. RIP to the Man in Black.
Great album, love his voice. It’s a 5 from me
It's Cash
Love me some twilight years old man with a deep voice singing so melancholy with religious themes. I don’t even care it’s mostly covers. He does so good at making them feel like Johnny Cash originals. One of the best to ever do it.
A beautiful album. Johnny Cash transports me to whichever story the song is about, and I deeply feel every note. Some weak songs on the second half, but when this album is strong it is STRONG. "The Man Comes Around", "Hurt", and "I Hung My Head" alone make this a 5 star. Just masterfully done
Очень чувственный альбом, приятно было увидеть кавер на песню Hurt. В тоже время очень грустно от осознания, что это последние работы Джонни, присутствует анализ его прожитой жизни, некоторые произведения тяжело морально слушать. Особенно хочу подметить приятное звучание и голос Замечательный альбом!
This is the first album that made me really glad I’ve started this project. This had me crying at my desk at 9am
this would get 5 stars for the Hurt cover alone but the rest is great too
Hated Public Enemy back in the day. Felt like noise. Just took me a couple of decades to catch up I guess. Who knew Flavor Flav would be a beloved figure now? Seeing them live is so fun too.
Love this album. Favorite song: I Hung My Head
A damn good record.
I love me some Johnny Cash, this is a great Cash album. Definitely a good listen to front to back, very somber, very Johnny Cash.
A banger with a sad feeling of him knowing he was about to die. Very good covers!
Best in the series
Interesting to see cover album here. Some of the rock songs covered are my favorites, but I can admit, Cash did them justice. Hurt sounds like a different tune (love both deeply). Bridge Over Troubled Water is too good as it was, no one beats SaG at duets, but is was a nice take. I Hung My Head've come home with this album. First Time Ever I Saw Your Face is just beautiful. With Hurt, two of my favorites here. Personal Jesus by Cash sounds awkward to me, though piano is fun. Desperado suddenly turned into grandpa's loving pep talk, which fits the lyrics perfectly. Ironically, I've enjoyed Cash's own songs the least in the album. Apparently a different genre song covered by a country singer is as much country as I can take. As a whole American IV gives you an impression of wise old man contemplating his life, love and what will come after.
Excellent album. Covers with his own spin that totally suit his voice and style.
9/10
One the greatest American albums ever made. Cash has such an impressive catalog that its odd to me his best body of work is a posthumous release of cover songs. 6/5, would listen to this album on any given day
Good stuff. "Hurt" is an all-timer, but the whole album was solid. Crazy that he made this at 70, and cool to hear him lend his voice to these songs. 4.5
I think this album stands as a testament to the notion that ability is not what makes music. It's a lesson in emotion and delivery. A geriatric Cash, who was never the best guitar player and God knows never the best singer, delivers an album full of life. Not in the sense of jovialness or vibrancy but in a life fully lived. Joys, scars, and everything in between. A full human being on display. One who has seen it all. 10/10 Favorite Songs: The Man Comes Around/Hurt/In my Life/I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry/We'll Meet Again
Easiest 5 stars so far.
A powerful farewell from an amazing musician.
5 stars for the man in black I haven't listened to it yet, but Cash's version of Hurt is so important to my personal music pantheon that it justifies the rating.
wall to wall bangers
Great Singer, great Album!
Great album! Haven’t listened for awhile but will want to pick this one up personally.
Real sad in a sleepy Monday morning
I’m not crying you’re crying, man Bridge over troubled water… tear fest. Johnny Cash‘s voice is so deep and heartfelt soulful and beautiful on this album. You can hear all the heartbreak and pain with every lyric he sings. This album actually was my introduction to Johnny Cash. Hurt in the title track with a man comes around. We’re both so prominent on the radio in the 90s and using tons of movies. I always thought that Johnny Cash, which is some lane country guy this album turned me around and allowed me to dive into his discography. Brilliant person. Though And his guitar playing our pristine on this album, the true artistry here is the production work. This has to be one of my favorite Rick Rubin albums. He truly captured Johnny Cash‘s final moments and such an iconic modern way. Like a world Johnny Cash is still cool as fuck. Appreciate it now before you lose them forever. When the man comes around, was one of Johnny Cash’s final songs and it’s gotta be one of my favorites. It’s got such a groove to it. Cool story what a bad ass. I’m such a cover fan boy and her was one of those covers that completely transforms the song and is arguably better than the original. Great fucking album RIP Johnny
A stunning album full of pathos and regret, and apocalyptic rage in places, from a frail, dying Johnny Cash. The arrangements are relatively sparse, support to the main attraction, Cash's breathy baritone. The singer's voice is obviously much weaker than in his prime but that works really well, bringing a great depth of feeling to the likes of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and, particularly, "In My Life" where it is evident that the lyrics are being considered by a man close to the end. Nine Inch Nails's "Hurt" becomes a different song in Cash's version and in the opening lines of "The Man Comes Around" Cash's deep rumbling voice sounds like a Herald of the end of the world. It doesn't all work perfectly, "Danny Boy" is a little maudlin and I'm not in love with his version of "Desperado", but it does work more often than not. The choice of material is generally very good and the production is clear and unfussy - exactly what is needed. A very moving record.
the man comes around- 7 hurt- 10. bffr. listen, im one of those assholes who prefer the original because i love nin but this version is so so so fucking good. nin is a broken kid thinking about killing himself and cash's version is an old man reflecting on his life. give my love to rose- 7 or 8 bridge over troubled water- 8 i hung my head- 8 first time i ever saw your face- 7 personal jesus- 8 or 9 in my life- 8 sam hall- 8 or 9 danny boy- 8 desperado- 9 or 10 im so lonesome i could cry- 9. the way i didnt know nick cave was on this song but recognized him the millisecond he started singing. tear stained letter- 9 streets of laredo- 8 or 9 we'll meet again- 10 i listened to this while writing something for cain and it was just what i needed. thank you mr cash <3
Fantastic!
4.8 - Woof
Loved this, his voice brought a new perspective to several of the covers too.
A beautiful serene and visceral album that transcends the bounds of country music. 9.3/10 Best Tracks: "The Man Comes Around" "Hurt" "Bridge Over Troubled Water" "I Hung My Head" "Personal Jesus" "In My Life"
This album kicks ass
Johnny’s love letter to life. Also one of Rick Rubin’s finest works.
Ya gotta love johnny
Not ashamed to admit I cried twice while listening to this one. Breathtaking swan song.
The Man in Black left on his terms with this album. Great covers & originals done only the way Cash could, excellent.
own
If there's anything wrong with this album, I can't find it.
An album of mostly covers on paper shouldn't be on this list. This is the exception.
The "American" sessions, particularly IV, is some of the greatest late career material any artist has ever recorded. Even Trent Reznor of TRON: ARES fame has relinquished ownership of Hurt (not legally or monetarily, but creatively). I've listened to this album lots of times because it was one of the only Johnny Cash CDs my brother had when I got into him. I also think these albums are pretty much the last good thing Rick Rubin ever did. Funny enough I didn't know Personal Jesus was a Depeche Mode song until like 5 years ago. I don't have really much bad to say here. 5
First time I fw a country artist this album is. Good 8.5/10 album was filled with songs that are relatable.
got it
What an incredible instrument his voice is
I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan. This album is like an encyclopedia into the decay of a weathered man. His voice warbles, is cracked and frayed. His guitar playing in supplemented by studio musicians and high level production. But, its a novel look into an accomplished American icon who lived a life well live. Coming to terms with his mortality. The choice to do all covers of songs that inspired Johnny throughout his time on earth is a special nod to his legendary story.
Maybe the greatest cover album ever, 10 out of 10 no notes
This album has the ability to make me cry everytime I listen to it. Rick Rubin and Johnny Cash made one of the best albums of all time.
Reminds me a lot of the book "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck. Loved listening to this while writing.
The gold standard for late career (and late life) albums. The American recordings were truly special, and Johnny Cash absolutely cemented his legacy with this one.
I adoooore his deep baritone voice and the low bass sounds that match...
<3
This list contains three of the greatest farewell albums in music history. While Cohen and Bowie wrote about their own struggles, Cash took the struggles other artists had expressed and truly made them his own. I am a fan of Nine Inch Nails, but Cash's rendition of "Hurt" is one of the most special songs to ever be recorded. I would normally be against the inclusion of modern cover albums (everything in the 50s was so can't count those out), but this is the absolute most reasonable exception to that. A great and unique album that I am so grateful Cash blessed us with before he passed.
Great choice for a first album. I probably never would have listened to this album on my own. But I feel like Cash would say if you listen to any of my albums, please listen to this one. He spills his heart out here and the first song was awesome! So glad for his faith in God, and the truth he is communicating here about God, his faith and reconciliation.
I know this album so well. Johnny Cash's American recordings are all amazing. I could listen to them all over and over, and I don't like doing that normally. 5/5!
A+
Yes. All the yes.
Enjoyed this on its release. Cash's voice works really well on this album and I've got several ear worms now!
Always a big fan of Johnny Cash and remember continously listening/watching the video to hurt when it was released. There are so many big songs on the album and my particular favourites include the biographical, desperado and as soon as I saw your face. The latter is very moving as I always imagine this being about June Carter who died a few months before Cash.
Heavy.
The American Recordings at the end of Johnny Cash's career/life were such an excellent swan song for the legendary musician. This is maybe the best one of the bunch, an excellent collection of mostly understated cover songs, with a few originals, of which the title track is arguably one of his best songs ever. Love this record.
So emotionally overwhelming in the best way possible. It’s not perfect, but I don’t care. Faves: the man comes around, hurt, in my life, I’m so lonesome i could cry
This is such a haunting and rich album. I love that he picked Fiona Apple as a feature, and his song selection is top tier (other than Danny Boy, not a fan of that one). I do wish he had picked a Dylan song, but I can't projection my own wishes on a legend's last album.
What a haunting series of meditations on death and the scars we leave behind. There were several times while listening, where I was not emotionally prepared for the lyrics and Cash's sound in ways that will, in their own way, leave a scar behind.
even if this album just had 'hurt', it would be an incredible album. but the sheer audacity of the covers he's brought such intimacy to is something that makes this album a total classic that i will listen to for lifetimes.
Madre mía este me ha encantado, rollo decadencia máxima y country folk. las letras me han parecido preciosas.
I could say half of the songs were covers so it lacks originality, or the songs were ‘too simple’. But when you listen to the song you could really hear his interpretation and feel really connected. 4.5/5
Wow. Just wow. I’d heard a couple of Johnny’s covers from this album before being The Man Comes Around and Hurt and I enjoyed both of them. The rest of this album is just as good, you can feel the weight of Johnny’s life being poured through his voice. This a man who knows he’s near the end and he’s reflecting on everything he’s lived through, the mistakes he has made and everything in between. It’s both solemn and beautiful, plus as a massive Beatles fan I could listen his cover of In My Life forever. He does a such a good job with it!
One of the greatest farewells ever, tying the legend of Johnny Cash indefinitely to the American songwriting tradition. A colossus lifting the works of others with an unparalleled ability to interpret. 'Hurt', 'I Hung My Head', 'Personal Jesus', 'In My Life', 'Danny Boy', and 'Big Iron' on a single album is unheard of.
American IV is less of a cover albums and more a collection of songs finding a new home. His talent for interpreting stories and breathing new life into them is unmatched - there are new meanings to be found in these songs and lyrics when delivered by Cash.
I listened to this album years ago and liked it a lot, but I like it even more than I remember now Johnny emphasises more introspective and emotional lyrics over the rebellious, gunslinging themes of a lot of his older work, though that isn't completely gone either. His aged and weary voice suits the album's melancholic and the production also feels intimate, all of which results in a very moving and emotional performance I think the fact the album doesn't stick to one mode throughout helps elevate those songs, for example the title track, Personal Jesus and Big Iron are a little bit more upbeat (as much as they can be on an album like this) that gives more weight to the likes of Give My Love to Rose and I Hung My Head. The guest singers also help to add a bit of variety. Despite slagging him off a little bit previously, I particularly liked Nick Cave's appearance on I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry I know everyone says it but it is pretty special that he took a song that's a million miles from his wheelhouse and made it his own. I don't think Hurt is one of my favourites but he definitely superceded Nine Inch Nails. I think I prefer Marty Robbins' version of Big Iron, but he comes very close to topping that too 4.5. I'd normally round down to 4 but I'm rounding up to 5 this time (I listened to the original double LP version which includes Big Iron and Wichita Lineman) Highlights: The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, Big Iron, Wichita Lineman, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Solid album Great interpretations of songs from an artist who owed the world nothing when he recorded them. Really enjoyed it
One of the greatest final bows an artist could ever give. Piece of absolute work right here. Vibes are bit melancholy but it fits.
Phenomenal work by a man near the end of his life. Especially the hurt and in my life covers.
The man in black forever.
Oof. Was this good
Is anyone’s sound more appropriate for a sendoff album at age 71? It’s like his whole career was driving him to this point. This album is fantastic and works overtime to highlight Cash’s unique voice. Every song hits just right and most can leave you in tears. It’s up there with John Prine’s or Leonard Cohen’s final albums. What a swan song for the man in black!
Das ist ein Album, das in jeder Hinsicht unter die Haut geht. Unglaublich sparsam im Arrangement, aber so ein weites und tiefes Feld der Gefühle. "Hurt" ist vielleicht der Beste song in der Musikgeschichte, natürlich nur in der Version von Johnny Cash. "Hurt" – dieses gebrochene, ehrliche Bekenntnis – das fühlt sich nicht nur an wie ein Song, sondern wie ein offenes Herz. Man hört und sieht Johnny Cash förmlich altern, sterben und dennoch weiterleben in seiner Musik. Es gibt wenige Alben, die so eine emotionale Wucht haben. Es ist roh, pur, und ja – unsagbar schön. Ein Album, das bleibt.
esta es la forma de irse
epic voice. Aura
Johnny Cash had one of the most distinctive voices, not just in country but across all music. This album, recorded the year before he passed away, is a fine example of his range - combining his own songs, traditional numbers and an audacious range of covers from Simon & Garfunkel to Depeche Mode to the Beatles, doing them all justice. The example that most people will know is his version of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, where he fills it with his own pain to the extent that Trent Reznor said that it was now Cash’s song. As might be expected the songs all explore the theme of the fragility of life, melancholy and looking back. It’s a tough listen at times, as his voice cracks with emotion, but he is more than supported by great group of musicians including Billy Preston, Don Henley, Nick Cave and Fiona Apple, with production by Rick Rubin keeping things together. A fine album and a fine tribute to one of the all time greats.
As many people from my generation (or so I guess), I discovered Cash first with the biopic Walk the Line, and then with the American Recordings -- especially being a metalhead who listened to nu-metal in the late 90s/early 00s, seeing the name "Rick Rubin" draws attention. This series of recordings is excellent from start to finish, really powerful, and is a wonderful testimony of Cash's talent and the extent of his love to music -- the cover diversity is striking. This last recording (at least the last released while he was still alive) is particularly moving, his voice getting deeper and showing more emotion, and the themes being also touching. Hurt is of course a hit in its own category, but it's well deserved; he really made the song his own with this amazing cover, instilling his life and sorrows in every note. The American Recordings all deserve 5 stars, and this one could probably go with 6 or 7 stars.
I was always skeptical about this album. I'm not skeptical about it any more. Each track is dealt with very respectfully. Cash put his own stamp on each, but did not try and be "clever". And of course the man wasn't a "real singer", but, as with the likes of Nick Cave and Lou Reed, that doesn't really matter: the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This is a really excellent piece of work.
I could listen to Johnny Cash with his grizzled, life-worn, and somehow deeply vulnerable voice read the phone book. This album, even if mostly covers, is a wow. I love how eclectic it is, covering everything from folk tunes to the Beatles to Depeche Mode (!!). It also contains his astounding rendition of NIN’s “Hurt.” It doesn’t get much better than this for feeling the sweep, pain, love and vagaries of life.
My favourite of these American recordings. Obviously it has Hurt which is the best known track of this era but this is the top end of this concept of covering songs in the late Cash style. This album feels vulnerable and raw and is all the better for it. There are a few I'm not a fan of - Danny Boy and Desperado are songs I don't like no matter who is singing. I Hung My Head, The Man Comes Around and his reinterpretation of his own Give My Love to Rose are my favourites.
For mostly consisting of covers this album is great. He really makes the songs something else.
kardoulen
Tender, vulnerable, captivating, and sweet. One of my favorites!
Some of the best covers ever performed. As Reznor said about Hurt, it's his song now.
My first 5/5 album, 37 albums in. Cash's renditions of these songs are absolutely beautiful. Tear Stained Letter has been one of my favorite songs for a long time, and obviously his cover of Hurt is divine. But listening to this album end to end was such a treat. I loved this one.
iconic
Brilliant simply great voice
What a fantastic listen. Usually I'm not a fan of albums thay almost exclusively contain covers, but the covers on this album could stand alone as their own songs, and some are honestly better than their original versions. Top tracks: Hurt, Personal Jesus, Danny Boy
Five/Five
That cover of "Hurt" was deserving of the constant play it got back in the day and is deserving of the praise it gets now. I was delighted to find out the rest of this covers album keeps up with it. These stripped down arrangements, his iconic voice that only got better with age, and the story of the songs selected make for an excellent listening experience. There's maybe a morbid listening day in my future of this, "Blackstar" and "You Want It Darker" - beautiful works all that tackle mortality, legacy, and reflections on the troubled yet triumphant lives of legendary artists.
CASH is great
Really enjoyed this one, and I’ll be returning to it, just a masterpiece. Rating: 5
This was the album that first introduced me to Johnny Cash. His rendition of Hurt still makes me cry.
As a casual fan of both artists, it is extremely funny to me that Cash took one of Trent Reznor’s best known songs and said “hey, this is mine now” right before dying. And it’s arguably not even the best cover on the album! Five stars.
I was at the library shopping for video games. Wu-Tang and Final Fantasy X. Then outside of the mall A woman who was not my mom and a little girl who was not my sister found an injured bird and picked it up to help it and as they went inside a jingle making fun of them started playing over the outside loud speakers. It infuriated me so I went into the mall and demanded to speak to the mall principal, Nick Lowe, the last thing I remember was telling my two bothers, who aren't my brothers, about what I did and passive aggressively blamed them.
His cover of Personal Jesus is one of my favorite songs.
I don't think I've ever heard another album this quietly sad. Like, for most of this album's runtime I was just... Staring off into the distance. At the wall, at the floor — at nothing in particular, honestly. I just couldn't do anything else. Not with how this album was causing sadness to wash over me, over and over. Every time I thought it would stop, I'd catch Cash's voice — so old and ragged — and it'd all come back all over again. Even the songs that were more upbeat in one way or another still had an air of melancholy around them. You can't shake the feeling, no matter how hard you try. It's like he knew he didn't have much time left. It's like he knew that this was his last statement. It's like he knew that if he didn't say anything about where he was right then and there, he wasn't gonna get another chance. And that's just remarkable when you consider that this album is mostly covers. Like, that's the big thing that separates it from albums like Leonard Cohen's IF YOU WANT IT DARKER and David Bowie's ★. There's only two songs that Cash penned himself, and one of them is a re-recording of a song written decades ago. But if you don't know these were all covers... Gosh, you'd never be able to tell. It's like what I usually say about Elvis: even if he never wrote a song in his life, just him being him was enough to make any song he sang his own. That's pretty much exactly what's going on. Cash being who he was, and being as old as he was when this was recorded, is enough to make songs like "Hurt" all his own. They're imbued with so much more meaning than if he'd been a younger man at the time. Which, there's a part of me that feels like that's kinda messed up. Y'know, the idea that I like this album **because** he died so shortly after it was released. That if he'd somehow lived long enough to release AMERICAN V, this album wouldn't have held as much weight as that one would have. But that's just the truth, and the same goes for stuff like IF YOU WANT IT DARKER, ★ and any other album with this kind of reputation. That's just honestly where it gets its power from, no matter how much I wish they could have lived longer and had done more. Though I wanna feel like either way this would still be a melancholic heartbreaker of an album. I don't think you can hear a voice like this, over arrangements like this, and not feel at least somewhat down. I can't imagine the kind of person who can hear stuff like this and not feel anything. I mean, I've gone out of my way to avoid using words like "depressing" and "feels bad," 'coz I feel like those are a bit over the top for what I think this album evokes, but... Still, goodness, y'know? I would absolutely be lying if I said I didn't feel close to crying more than once. I just can't give this album any less than a 5. It just wouldn't feel right to. Not with the context of its release and how much it gives to what would've been very powerful material regardless. It's, jus'... Oof. Goodness. And I do hope his reassurance at the end comes true: that someday soon — who knows where, who knows when — we'll all meet again. That someday, eventually, the man in black will come around once more.
He knew that the pale horse was coming soon, so it gives this tracklist a haunting quality to it. Solid 5 Stars.
I’m at another 10. I’ve only ever known the cover of “Hurt” from this album – it’s immensely famous, and it’s a track that Johnny Cash basically stole, in brilliant fashion. I never knew it was only the second track here, though. I’ve always assumed it was the closer, because it feels so poignant and so… final. I’m so very, very glad that it’s not though, because this album is structured in such a way that it works perfectly in conjunction with “The Man Comes Around” as the opener, and arguably creates a narrative throughout where Johnny is trying to atone for those sins so present and so fruitfully captured on that cover of “Hurt”. From Simon & Garfunkel, to Sting, to Depeche Mode, & ironically enough, the Eagles, as well as scattering of rerecordings of covers he already did, it’s just a stellar 51 minutes. It leaves me with the same sense of “getting it” as I had after listening to Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged album. I truly do get what Johnny Cash meant to people now, and in particular, what he likely meant to my dad. The thing that strikes me the most about this album, besides the excellent song choices to cover, most of which I’ve never actually heard the originals of, is in its intimacy. There’s no bombastic backing bands here & no intense instrumentation (save for the piano on “Hurt”) – just pure, stripped down music, left to the barebones machinations of a guitar, whatever else was lying around, and Johnny Cash’s voice. In this gravelly, withered state, it arguably sounds more impactful here than at any other point in his life. It’s the core instrument, and it’s on full, vulnerable display. It gives each and every track a gravitas that has only ever been matched, to my ears, by Leonard Cohen on “You Want It Darker”, and even then, Johnny’s vocals still have a musicality and a natural charisma to them that elevates them higher. If there is a God, which Johnny Cash so desperately prays to throughout this album, then let him bless Rick Rubin for making sure Johnny Cash still had a voice throughout the final 7 to 8 years of his life, & bless Johnny Cash for just laying it all out on what he knew would likely be his final album in his lifetime. It’s a gift, a treasure, and a privilege to listen to this, truly. Easy, easy 10.
I would go so far and say, this is one of the best albums since the year 2000. Of course only "old" songs, but sung and played with such a virtuosity and in such a dignified way, that you must bow your head and shout out a big "thank you".
it's over... довольно грустный альбом, мне нравки
stunning.
Johnny Cash is one of the best there ever was and ever will be. He's a consistent performer and great storyteller who makes you feel. This album delivers the goods.
Hurt osv.
Pretty good album.
a dash of Johnny Cash rarely comes amiss, even if it is mostly covers
5 Stars for Hurt. There’s actually a few songs I wasn’t familiar with. A great final album for a great man! Rest in Peace Mr Cash
шедевр
Johnny Cash doesn’t cover songs, he sings them and re-shapes them until you could never imagine them as anything but his.
I don't love Johnny Cash's singing, but this album is absolutely incredible, and the covers really feel like they become Cash's songs. I can't completely explain why, but this is one of the most beautiful, emotional albums I know.
great album
Favorite Track: We'll Meet Again
I love this album. I love what Rick Rubin did to draw this out of him. I live the theme of end of life and imminent death for this giant of American music at the end of his life. Easy 5 stars
Outstanding
Fantastic Album. Had always like Johnny Cash, but hadn't heard any new stuff for years. Then Johnny released this album and it was like listening to something familiar but new all at the same time. For what is essentially a covers album to be included in this chart shows how good Cash and Rubins work on this album is.
Thanks, I didn't *want* to cry today...
Oh man Johnny Cash is always welcome - and I’m not new to this album - but really listening to it again it’s gorgeous - Cash elevates every song he sings and makes it his own and at times better than the original. Of course the standouts are Hurt, Personal Jesus, the Man Comes around - but I’d be hard pressed to find a song that is less than brilliant.
5 stars
Wow! I am literally sitting the office trying not to cry. This album gets 10 stars ...
Will listen again
Interesting cover album with cash own twist and clear religious focus. The deep and melodic voice has a unique appeal and magnifies the spirtirual component of popular songs
𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘓𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘰 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦, 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘥𝘢𝘺. 𝘞𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘶𝘮 𝘴𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘍𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘭𝘺, 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨. 𝘋𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘥 𝘰'𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮. 𝘏𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘤𝘰𝘸𝘣𝘰𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥 𝘩𝘦'𝘥 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨. Rating: ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Stand Out Songs: 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙛 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙢, particularly 𝟔. 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐈 𝐒𝐚𝐰 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝟓. 𝐈 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝, 𝟕. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐬, 𝟗. 𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝟏𝟒. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐨, 𝟏𝟓. 𝐖𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 This is the work of a man who knew he was dying, through all of the songs of end-of-life lamentations, lyrics both welcoming and damning death on his white horse. You can feel the treble and gravity of his voice as he worked through hospital stints and declining health to finish an album that might literally be the embodiment of the true American Spirit. Johnny Cash, I love you.
There's such a profundity to this entire exercise - a legend in the twilight of his life choosing a catalog of classic and modern songs to cover that gives them such a new & intensely personal spin. 'Hurt' alone would catapult this to legendary status, but there's *so* much to digest here...if not 100% enjoy because I'm not sure I necessarily enjoy music that makes me contemplate my own mortality.
Simply great. Not a bad cover in the bunch.
poignant
Epic
Fantastiskt! Fem!
Brutally honest and hauntingly beautiful portrayal of a legends final days. Really remarkable work of art. While not every cover was my favorite, it is very interesting to consider why Cash selected each of them. Hurt is such a deeply moving song, the kind that I will always slow down to listen to closely. The deepest theme is clearly death here, but not necessarily despair. I think the album ultimately portrays a man who knows that he is not long for the world, and while he may have some regrets, is at peace with his fate. Given the context and just how beautiful much of the album is, this is a pretty easy 5 for me.
This is a great album. The lyrics are wonderful. And I love its country feel. It also has deep meaning as the artist who made it was at the end of his life. overall a great album to listen to.
I have to give Johnny Cash a lot of credit for this album. When it came out, it really gave him a resurgence and helped him connect with a younger audience. In the early 2000s, it seemed like every bar with a jukebox had this album on rotation. He brought in some cool guest musicians like Billy Preston and Fiona Apple, which added a nice touch. His cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” was good, but it’s his version of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” that stood out and grabbed everyone’s attention. I’m sure Rick Rubin played a big role in shaping this album, and working with him was a smart move. As for “Hurt,” I personally like Nine Inch Nails’ version a little more for the music, but Cash’s version definitely has more emotional weight, especially knowing the life he lived.
Extremely good. What an album! And those covers are unique and perfect.
The man .
Wow! Fucking awesome! I'm not a Johnny Cash fan at all, but this album absolutely deserves to be on a 'must listen to list'. An old man, knowing he is close to the end, sings songs full of pathos, regret, sorrow, and wistful memories.....but boy can this old man sing! The emotion is so strong in this. (Caveat... except for Bridge Over Troubled Water, that one really didn't work for me). 6 out of 5 stars.
how can anyone vote a johnny cash album lower than 5 let alone 4
Loved.
I know they are mostly covers or rerecorded...but dang he is good. His voice envokes such emotions. I know Hurt isn't his song but his version is better hands down and makes me cry every time. Knowing his life and they way he carried himself when he aged just brings so much more depth to his music. Nothing was pretentious or overdone, it was just him and the way he does music, which is beauty in sadness and pain.
Usually an album of mostly covers gets a little extra scrutiny in the context of this project, but this is pretty incredible. It’s just so good and he really makes these songs his own while feeling like he’s honoring and celebrating each one. The collaborations with other singers is super special too. Love it so much.
I know that many of these songs are covers, but Johnny Cash is such a distinct singer that he makes them his own. There was not a song I disliked on this album, and while I thought of knocking him for doing covers. I find that unfair as he performs all the songs incredibly. Definitely an Album I'll be coming back to.
One of the best to ever do it. Some really amazing cover songs here, he really made the songs his own.
One of the best albums ever
I feel like an old cowboy and I love it
I wasn’t a fan if Cash when he was young, nir of country music but I’d give this album a 6 if I could, compared to most of the garbage on this list. Cash has a quality in his voice at this age that young ones just can’t produce: suffered experience. All the shouting and wailing just can’t match what Cash brings to other people’s songs that transcends the original artist. I’d give it 5 for Hurt alone but Bridge Over Troubled Waters outdoes S&G and that’s saying something. Even Danny Boy sounds okay.
I hate to be predictable, but this really is a 5 star album.
I thought this was an easy start and I thought I knew this album, but listening with focus had me on the verge of tears for almost the entire runtime.
Very few artist could have have pulled this off the way he did. Such a legend - and that haunting voice.
Late in life, Johnny Cash rose like a phoenix—conquering the charts one last time before ascending to the heavens. Going out on top is rare for anyone, and he did it deliberately, with an album that makes mortality sound like triumph.
Hard to deny the emotion and skill of reimagining these songs in this way.
This whole series worked well. This one might be the best one.
The title track and "Hurt" alone might justify a 5-star rating. Add in standout tracks like "I Hung My Head," "Give My Love to Rose," and "Desperado," and it becomes an exceptional collection. While there are a few weaker moments—"Danny Boy," for instance—they're easily overshadowed by the album's overall brilliance.
Just perfect
Oh boy. The album with his cover of Hurt. Lemme go get a kleenex real quick. His voice hits differently on this compared to his first albums. He's still got most of the deep bass baritone of his youth, but mixed in with it is some scratches and scuffs of a much older man. The makes it so the album comes across as someone who has seen a lot and done a lot and is telling you the stories of their life. This album, like Bowie's Blackstar, will always have a strong association with Cash due to it being the last album before he died. But even outside of that fact its still great, with its mix of covers and originals. I think the only cover I didn't like as much as the rest was In My Life, but that's mostly because him singing it brings a more somber tone to the song compared to how John and Paul sang the original.
9/10 The best produced album from Cash. I love his choices on the covers and I love his voice sounding like it got hit by a baseball bat but got up, bloodied, from the ground and dares you to hit it again. I think I needed this. 11-15-2024
Didn't get around to this on Friday but listening now. What a legend Johnny was man. Ah, this is the one with Hurt! That's so cool that he covered that song. I thought for the longest time that this was before NINs but nope. Trents was first. Awe Give My Love To Rose too. I like that one. Dude, this album is fire. There are so many covers on here! Including Depeche Mode's Personal Jesus.
Amazing. He transcends his genre with power, presence, and haunting narrative! Amazing album!
Well I got to say I did not expect to enjoy this album as much as I did, very emotional and moving and I really enjoyed the covers of Hurt and Personal Jesus, plus a lot of other songs on here I'd heard of before. Unexpected 5 star album for me, especially after going back and watching the music video for his cover of Hurt.
++*: Hurt, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Danny Boy, We'll Meet Again ++: The Man Comes Around, Give My Love to Rose, I Hung My Head, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Personal Jesus, In My Life, Desperado, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Streets of Laredo 9,9/10
This isn’t even Cash’s best American album, but I assume Hurt is good enough to overcome that. I forget how good it is sometimes, but listening to it again it makes my jaw drop. It is also important to keep in mind that he was actively dying during this album, and it’s still superior to most things out there. For the other songs, I love how he turned Personal Jesus into a gospel song, as well as the first track. Sam Hall is also just fun to sing along with. The rest of it is still great, too, but for my money the first two American Recordings had the best collection of songs. I am largely incapable of giving Johnny Cash less than 5 stars on anything he does anyway, so I may be a little biased. That doesn’t mean this isn’t a great album.
# Playlist track - Personal Jesus # Notes - Just realized that Fiona Apple sings along in Bridge Over Troubled Water. Holy shit. - This album is beautiful. It's an emotional, sincere and somber farewell. The perfect way to cement his legacy. - The finitude of life really hits hard on this one, eh?
beautiful. haunting. glorious. this album is incredible. front to back - everything about it is just amazing.
My grandfather was a big Johnny cash fan. He used to be in a jazz combo when he was in the army and was a music teacher for most of his life. One of the first records I ever got from him was a Johnny cash album “Orange Blossom Special”. He could also play the guitar better than anyone I knew and wrote out all of his own arrangements for hundreds of different songs by ear. Listening to this album takes me back to the days sitting in his old shed watching him play those old American classics for hours. The song selection on this album and the stripped back minimalist arrangements here are just so perfect. Sure his voice is completely shot by this point in his life but man does it really hit home for me. Also I saw that this is his 62nd studio album!! Unreal. I could write a whole bit for most of these songs but I really don’t think that’s necessary. I really missed my grandfather after listening to this and everything he taught me about music. The final track “we’ll meet again” truly brought me to tears. You really can’t script that any better for this to be the last song chronologically that Cash put out before he died. My grandfather was a religious man and I know he believed that we would meet again, and that’s comforting enough for me. Bless you Papa. Bless you Johnny cash. And bless every other musician who contributed to this album. Masterpiece
This album should not be as good as it is. A 70 year old man singing song covers on his deathbed. All signs point to this being an absolute train wreck, but damn it if this isn't a masterpiece! Every cover has Johnny Cash's signature twist on it. He doesn't fall into the trap of just putting out an identical song to the original. This is how you cover songs (both your own and other artists) and make them your own. This album will make you cry with the "Hurt" only a man looking back on his life can, and then make you cry again with hope that one day "We'll Meet Again". An absolutely perfect send off for one of the greatest artists of all time. We salute you Mr. Cash.
This feels far more than just a cover album. Johnny knew this was his last chance to share himself with the world, and each song was chosen to represent that. The guilt, the joy, the anger, the faith, the pain, and the love.
Incredible interpretations of classics that didn’t need any more attention, yet still show amazing depth
A real experience. Takes you through the full range of emotions one after another. Some brilliant covers and originals. A reflection on mortality and of the life that comes before it. No better way to bow out.
I put off listening to this one for a long time because I knew it was going to make me emotional, and well, it sure did. There’s just something about Cash’s originals and his renditions of the covers that is so beautiful and haunting and sad. I’ve listened to this album a few times before, and I don’t think I’ve ever made it through without crying at least once. There’s just something so beautiful about every song. I can’t pick a favorite, but if I had to, “The Man Comes Around,” “Hurt,” “Personal Jesus,” and “Desperado” would all be in the running. This might be Cash’s best album of his entire career. I’m flabbergasted that this album got removed from the list in later years. It’s one of the best, if not the best, from the 2000s. There’s a reason the songs on this album are used so often in movies and TV and other media. Its influence in pop culture alone makes it worthy of keeping on the list. Just an absolutely stunning album.
An album I had on a listening list for a long time. This is possibly one of Cash's best. Hurt, The Man Comes Around and Danny Boy. Every track is brilliant.
CD
This is a perfect album. I've heard many of the songs, but never the whole album before. I'm so glad I have now. I love both the original and his cover of Hurt, and they've both made me cry, but the emotion knocked me off my feet today. I sobbed, like fully broke down. The power of a song, man.
Miss Johnny
What a voice
The best to ever do it.
Confession: This is the first Johnny Cash album that I have ever listened to. Just needed to get that off my chest first. This album is an emotional punch after emotional punch. The first three songs are disturbingly incredible: musically, lyrically, emotionally. I generally don't love covers, but they're clearly very intentionally picked, and they're done in a unique enough way that they don't take anything away from the other songs, and they only add to the tone/theme of the album. The first half-ish of the album is a 10/10 for me. The rest of it sits in the 7-8 range. I'm going to be sitting, thinking of those first three songs for the rest of my day. Favorite Song(s): Give My Love to Rose, Hurt, The Man Comes Around
More covers from Cash than I expected. Some classics on here.
Fantastic apbum
Knew the hits but the other songs were great as well. Vibes album
Amazing. Cash takes some great songs and makes them personal. This has got to be one of his best albums ever.
Really enjoyed this one
The crown jewel of "Farewell" albums. The upbeat nature the narrator has in the title track is immediately thrown out with the follow up, and his most iconic cover, "Hurt," and from there you can feel the retrospective he has on his life and his coming to grips with the end. Each song ties into the theme of death, saying goodbye, and trying to come to terms without being completely depressing and hopeless. For a perfect album, I'd give this a 10/10
Not even the Nick Cave feature can bring this album down.
I love it! Hurt Pierce’s your soul. Knowing Cash recorded this not long after June’s death makes it even sadder
I am very into Johnny Cash it turns out. He’s just fun, with stories in all of his songs
He truly was a master.
So emotional and beautiful every song really paints a vivid picture of a story
This got me almost crying on my bus commute today. This is what a cover album should be, every song takes on a whole new character than the original.
Johnny Cash does not need any introduction as a country legend, nor does his cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" which is so transformative that Trent Reznor no longer considered it his song. The rest of American IV is on par with that song - a collection of mostly covers and re-recordings from an elder statesman on the brink of death. The only newly written song included is the title track "The Man Comes Around", which would be one of his last. A lot of guest musicians make impressive contributions to this album. John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers reworked Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" on a popping acoustic guitar riff accompanied by Billy Preston's tingling piano play. Fiona Apple's backing vocals come off haunting on the chorus of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Nick Cave shares a rather somber duet with him on Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry". Hell, even Don Henley brings out a good rendition of the Eagles' "Desperado". Of course, Johnny Cash himself brings enough dark crooning energy with his guitar to bring bravado to the likes of The Beatles' "In My Life" and the traditional "Danny Boy". Throughout the album, his son John Carter Cash, and renowned producer Rick Rubin were able to mix these songs effectively to bring out the best of everyone involved. I'll admit that I'm usually not a fan of cover albums unless the renditions transcend the original works. Johnny Cash did just that in spades. This is absolutely worth checking out.
Love this
Excellent CASH! 100% loved it. Will purchase this jewel.
Beautiful recording. Owning all, the songs, his style, his old voice, everything. excellent album.
Johnny Cash is a Legend and his sparse interpretations of these songs show what a master he is!
Cash’s last masterpiece. Loved it
A few elite songs mixed in among a really great album to listen to generally. Love the emotion his songs evoke so easily.
it's just a sheer classic, innit
Sublime! Have loved this since it came out and was a fantastic change of pace by JC. A Swan Song to be proud of. And this version of Hurt is the most emotionally powerful tear-inducing songs ever.
Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin recorded hundreds of songs over a ten year period and the results are stunning, beautiful, and haunting. Is this collection the best of the bunch? Maybe, though there are mind-blowing moments on each one of the 6 (!) albums and the the five-disc box set. This collection is fairly representative of the work as a whole. It features country standards (Wichita Lineman), revisions of Cash's earlier tunes (Give my Love to Rose), interesting deep cuts (I Hung My Head by Sting of all people), and jaw-dropping covers of tunes that had no business being as good as they are (Hurt). And yeah, a couple of these don't work as well as you want them to (Bridge Over Troubled Water), but at least Johnny went down swinging for the fences. Overall, this is a winner, and the American Recordings project is truly a gift to the world.
Een album vol covers, van een man die zijn hoogtijdagen ver achter zich heeft liggen. Het tempo is verschrikkelijk traag, slaapverwekkend soms. Zijn stem heeft de tand des tijds niet doorstaan, het is een spoken word geworden in plaats van dat hij zingt. Vervolgens gaat Fiona Apple er nog een keer doorheen miauwen. Danny Boy is het absolute dieptepunt op een plaat vol melancholische liedjes. En toch is het geniaal, een album dat absoluut niet misstaat in de 1001 snobalbums. Alle nummers die hij covert, worden vanaf de eerste seconde Johnny Cash nummers. En het is honderd procent geloofwaardig. Fenomenaal gedaan.
Who doesn’t love Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash es una figura capital en la música, también June Carter aunque de modo menos evidente. Este es uno de los mejores discos de Cash, si bien nada tiene que ver con Folsom Prison, I Walk the line, ni por supuesto con los Highwayman. Las American Recordings son otra cosa y entre ellas el IV es el volumen más impactante. Con la colaboración de nada menos que Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, Don Henley, John Frusciante, Mike Campbell, Billy Preston y la buena mano de Rick Rubin al mando, este disco es solemne de principio a fin. La apertura con el tema titular es espectacular. Un hombre que sabe que se va a morir, que lo desea, y sin embargo trasmite una vitalidad solemne. Hurt se ha convertido en lo que Cash ha hecho con ella, olvídense de Trent Reznor (él lo ha hecho). El resto, no están a este nivel pero son igualmente excelentes. Hang my head (de Sting) solo la podría interpretar Cash. In my life suena de maravill y se sostiene, sin la voz de Lennon ni ese piano acelerado o percusión tan características. Por otro lado, Personal Jesus gana en fuerza despojada de todo el componente electrónico. Sin embargo no superan a las originales. Por otro lado el estándar The streets of Laredo sí raya a un nivel muy alto. Otros discos de 2002: Beck - Sea Change, Sigur Rós - ( ), Neko Case - Blacklisted, The Streets - Original Pirate Material, Boards of Canada - Geogaddi, Spoon - Kill The Moonlight, The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights, Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, David Bowie – Heathen, múm – Finally we are no one, Tom Waits: Alice / Blood Money, Queens Of The Stone Age: Songs For The Deaf, Norah Jones- Come Away with Me, También: Low: Trust, The Delgados: Hate, The Coral- The Coral, Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man: Out Of Season, Solomon Burke: Don’t Give Up On Me, Lambchop: Is A Woman,, Coldplay- A rush of blood to the head, Doves- Last Broadcast, Faultline: Your Love Means Everything, Death In Vegas: Scorpio Rising, Roddy Frame: Surf, Pet Shop Boys- Release, red Hot Chili Peppers- By the way, Neil Young- Are You Passionate?, Otros discos de 2002: Beck - Sea Change, Sigur Rós - ( ), Neko Case - Blacklisted, The Streets - Original Pirate Material, Boards of Canada - Geogaddi, Spoon - Kill The Moonlight, The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Interpol - Turn on the Bright Lights, Wilco - Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, David Bowie – Heathen, múm – Finally we are no one, Tom Waits: Alice / Blood Money, Queens Of The Stone Age: Songs For The Deaf, Norah Jones- Come Away with Me, También: Low: Trust, The Delgados: Hate, The Coral- The Coral, Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man: Out Of Season, Solomon Burke: Don’t Give Up On Me, Lambchop: Is A Woman,, Coldplay- A rush of blood to the head, Doves- Last Broadcast, Faultline: Your Love Means Everything, Death In Vegas: Scorpio Rising, Roddy Frame: Surf, Pet Shop Boys- Release, red Hot Chili Peppers- By the way, Neil Young- Are You Passionate?,
This album is an excellent example of cashes versatility and willingness to explore his craft as an artist.
considerato che ho passato le prime tre canzoni a piangere merita tutte le stelle del mondo. Johnny ha proprio una voce che mi prende allo stomaco.
Johnny Cash's come back in the 90s is arguably the greatest of all time, and American IV is maybe the greatest of the series. Cash covers songs from classic to contemporary for the majority of the album. The covers range from what you would expect from Cash to highly unlikely, but they all work. Danny Boy and a stripped back cover of Personal Jesus coexist and fit together perfectly. Hurt is the obvious stand out, but for me, In My Life is my personal favorite. I had always pictured the Beatles version playing at my funeral, but that changed when I first heard this cover. It's that good. *Heard before
This album is indescribably beautiful. I feel it is Johnny Cash's best work, and it really taps into the emotions he was feeling towards the end of his life. It goes without saying that the song Hurt is one of the most touching songs of all time (even though it is a cover).
I love this cowboy country style with simple chords and progressions, strong religious influence, and slightly threatening, and quite melancholic. There is just a solemn timbre in Cash's voice that cannot be pinpointed.
I love this record. Johnny's voice is not what it was, but I love his passion.
This album brought my attention back to Johnny Cash. With only a few weak spots on it, it’s a recommended one for sure. As expected, it’s mellow, sad and uplifting at the same time. If you’re a sucker for covers then this is pretty close to being as good as it can get. It’s not the covers that sold me on this album, though it means something when the original song performer relinquishes his song to Cash for blowing the original out of the water (see Hurt). The best song on the album is the title track and an original. Enjoy wallowing in the dark on this one Choice Cut: The Man Comes Around
Wow, Hurt.. I remember this well. Background song to so many funerals and farewells in life. Love the stories in the song.
If this album just had the song hurt repeated 13 times it would still be a 5.
Young Johnny Cash was a hero of the outlaw country subgenre who celebrated the forgotten corners of society. Older Johnny Cash forced us to look at our mortality, while continuing to show us how to appreciate life amid the darkness. His voice, once a youthful rebel, now haunts us and cuts to the bone. 'American IV' was the last album released in Cash's lifetime and also one of his most famous. It's made of covers, carefully chosen to reflect a long and interesting life. Truth be told, most of the covers aren't as good as the originals, aside from 'Hurt' which rivals Nine Inch Nails, by Trent Reznor's own admission. But they work to showcase the power and life of Johnny Cash. Aided by the likes of Rick Rubin, Fiona Apple, Nick Cave, and John Frusciante, this remains one or Johnny Cash's masterpieces in the twilight of his life.
Heute durfte ich ein Meisterwerk, das die Essenz von Johnny Cashs beeindruckender Karriere einfängt genießen. Als legendärer Künstler am Ende seines Schaffens bringt er in diesem Album alles ein, was ihn prägte und auszeichnete. Die rohe Emotion und Verletzlichkeit in seiner Stimme bei “Hurt” berührt tief und zeigt die menschliche Seite des Künstlers. Die tiefgründige Interpretation von “Bridge Over Troubled Water” verleiht dem Klassiker eine neue Dimension und lässt den Hörer innehalten und nachdenken. Mit “Personal Jesus” bringt Cash seine religiöse Überzeugung und spirituelle Tiefe zum Ausdruck, während “Sam Hall” mit witziger Ironie und schwarzem Humor glänzt. Dieses Album ist mehr als die Summe seiner Teile. Vielleicht hätte keines der Lieder allein, weder vom Konzept noch von der bereits angeschlagenen, rauen Stimme, die Höchstbewertung erhalten. Doch in ihrer Gesamtheit schaffen sie ein Werk, das nur als legendär bezeichnet werden kann. Johnny Cash hat mit “American IV: The Man Comes Around” ein Vermächtnis hinterlassen, das die Zeit überdauern wird - Danke dafür Johnny 😊👍
This was great! The Hurt song was all over the airwaves and TV when I was in college, but I didn’t realize how many other covers he did on this album. I love the first song too as it reminds me of the stellar Dawn of the Dead.
His cover of "Hurt" is reason enough
Incredible stuff. I never really listened to Johnny Cash. Never really thought I'd like it to be honest because I hate country music. But this is a cut above the rest for sure. This almost feels like something else. Anyway this is the second Cash album I'm listening to from this list. And it is also getting 5 stars. Just incredible stuff.
Not much to say other than dang he did a great job on pretty much every song
A masterpiece
just one black mark here: nick cave's abysmal and out of place performance on "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," but Fiona Apple on "Bridge Over Troubled Water" more than cancels that out
This album is special to me and only becomes more special to me over time. There's something so vulnerable about Cash here. This version of Desperado makes me cry. This version of We'll Meet Again makes me cry. It's all fantastic.
Blind album, know the covers and the artist obviously. This god damn album made me cry so much cause I know it was his last album before his wife passed and then him shortly after. What a way to go out. Love for music and his fans. Every god damn track on this album is a gem, and so many of them made me cry. Including the last song. Every single track, cover, re-record. Every single one is so full of emotion and is beautiful. Not many albums can make a person cry but this one made me.
Fantastic album 2 of the most heat wrenching songs his Fantastic cover of hurt and the song I hung my head which gives me goosebumps everything I listen to it
This what an album should be
Oh wow! What a man, what an album. This album drips of sorrowful melancholy. It's old man Johnny Cash dealing with the subject of mortality, specifically it's Cash reflecting on death. It's an album about endings, and regrets that things played out the way they did, but also about when everything is stripped down you realize what's really important. Of the 15 tracks on here only 3 of them are Cash originals ('The Man Comes, Around', 'Give My Love to Rose', and 'Tear Stained Letter') the rest are reimagined covers of songs that were already great, but now applied to Cash himself, and soaked in his life experiences. Many of these covers have become almost unrecognizable, but they have all been treated with great respect and skill to convey new meaning. 'Hurt' is a masterclass in this with the original being a good song in it's own right, but the same song completely transforms and takes on new meaning through the lens of an old man looking back. Standouts Hurt Give My Love to Rose Personal Jesus 5/5
aaii bur mysel today... to see if i still feeeel.. ilman tuota biisiä olisi hyvä... CASH.. ja kattoo painavasti alas.. tarkottaako tämä että poika tekee liikaa rahaa??? Johnny Cash - the polymarket arbitrage... vittu laula poika laula... nämä sanat sopii tälle kokeneelle ketulle: kauan on kärsitty ryssien valtaa lailalailaila poikani on. jumalauta jääkärit.. punakone perkelein.. kumarra me emme.. paitsi jumalalle ylhäiselle.. mitä tätä kuunnellessa voi muuta tehdä kun LIIKUTTUA? ? ? ? ? if you dont know how to translate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ sam hall
A tragic masterpiece.
Loved it, especially the covers
what a truly beautiful piece of work. this album is so deeply reflective, it forces its listener into cash’s position at the end of his life. cash’s humble yet moving vocals are what really make this album, for me. the covers picked out for this album seem so perfect for what cash was trying to achieve, and he does them justice. nothing else to comment on asides it’s beauty.
What a powerful album. I was worried that Hurt would be the only one to grab me, but the voice of Cash accompanied by powerful lyrics and guitar made this an absolute delight to listen to. Big change in song tones again which I did not expect!
Pretty timeless classic that showcases Johnny Cash's talent excellently
Today was a particularly trying day with the infant. Mum and grandma were both out, leaving me alone with her. Unfortunately I don’t have tits so couldn’t nurse her, and the bottle was just not cutting it. Enter Mr. Johnny Cash, for this album brought me 52 mins of calmness. 5/5
Already one of my favorite albums of all time, and I’m glad to hear it on the list. The depth and feeling that Cash gives to songs I’ve heard a million times before is amazing. It’s also just a great listen, and I could have it on repeat any day of the week.
Quando se confirmou o esplendor da sequência de versões evidencia o impacto emocional de se escutar um disco.
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Been a while since I've listened to this one. Really like late era Johnny Cash. His version of Hurt is one of my favorite cover songs of all time. Been a while since I've listened to this one
A fitting farewell album from one of the all time greats.
Not my favorite of the American releases, but you can't go wrong either.
Wow, this is tough one. REAL downer of an album, which is something I'm not too keen on. But the performances are SO POWERFUL and moving, it's hard not to love this. Learning the context around the making of this album is heartbreaking, and makes it all so understandable. This is a tribute to pain, isolation, and sadness. Something I just WON'T be able to listen to often, but undeniably a momentous work to be respected.
It was country-folk. Not folk and light rock like. Very slow and gentle, all songs are the same theme and tone. Very grayish like. Just like the album is like. 6.8/10. Would def listen on a long road trip or when concentrating, doing work.
No Words. Just listen to the phantastic music. A famous Man and famous last words. RIP Johnny
Brilliant concept; brilliant song selection; brilliant arrangements; brilliant performances; brilliant production.
We had it on in the car, whole family enjoyed it, good covers well produced. Spotify also played a bunch of other country stuff afterwards (hank williams etc.) and it didn't compare
The joke review is that he could have released Hurt and then 12 tracks of static and it would still be seminal. The real review is that even the songs that start off without you really enjoying them slowly turn into something brilliant just because of his voice. Highlights-?Hurt, Personal Jesus, …Rose, Man Comes around Lowlights if any - Danny Boy and Laredo
This is my 1001th album!
Well, its has covers, many. But theyre good covers. Before I played the album I could tell it was gonna be depressing, it was. One of the best voices ever.
67th album. That is incredible. I can't think of a more perfect final album to a career other than maybe Bowie's Blackstar. "Hurt" must been seen as a music video. Probably one of the best ever in how it captures the legacy of a man so well and is just such an emotional journey. As are many of the songs on this album. Knowing Mr. Cash's stage of life often gives these songs new meanings. When this album first came up it was the week of my dad's funeral, and I couldn't make it through it. A couple weeks later I made it, I was a mess but I made it. It was strangely comforting to hear the voice of a man at peace with his fate, so I hope my dad found that same peace. We'll meet again. Favorite track "Hurt" 5/5
The perfect album for my day today. Even though these are all covers, johnny cash recording these tracks in the twilight of his life and presenting them in this order is true art.
A classic from a legend. Nothing fancy just a man reflecting on his life knowing he hasn't got long to go
Oh this is gonna make me sad…good sad but sad. “Bridge Over Troubled Water” did bring a tear to my eye.. There is something very poetic about his last non-posthumous album being full of other people’s songs he wanted to sing. Slay for “Desperado.” And his “We’ll Meet Again” is so perfect and bittersweet.
Despite having a couple of covers, this album is phenomenal.
One of the most profound words by Johnny Cash, the last album to be released before his passing in 2003. Adapting many covers from contemporary musicians, Cash transforms these songs into something entirely his own while retaining much of the original meaning.
Excellent! Some great covers made new with that Cash sound.
Gorgeous display of raw emotion. Lotta songs about cowboys meeting their end too. Some of the covers here I'd say are not as good as their original, or most popular, versions, but none of them fall too far behind and they all do come with a new meaning when sung by Cash.
One of Cash’s best albums as it included his own songs and covers other greats. His aging voice comes through with amazing clarity and strength on this album. This album showcases how Cash reinvented his musical ability over time and evolved as he aged.
Has to be up there for one of the greatest albums regarding covered songs (I know some are new songs of his)
This is such an incredible album. Cash’s voice is what makes this album so powerful. It sounds so troubled and world weary and this gives the album such a gravitas. His cover of “Hurt” is just spectacular. So, so good. There’s such emotion and power from Cash with just his voice, a guitar, and piano. Very few artists can do the same with such a stripped down accompaniment. This album is even more powerful sounding because it was his last. In my opinion this album is bulletproof.
Sad dead man with guitar
Well this one hits you right where it hurts.
This album is so good. There’s just something about his voice. He draws you in so quick and you can’t leave!
This album is one of many reasons that Johnny Cash is the artist people think of when Country music is discussed, whether they listen to that genre or not.
Oh boy, this was hard going. It was sad, and painted pictures in my brain. I love Johnny Cash, and these songs reminded me why. Also holy covers! :)
When I asked for music to swing to this isn't what I meant
Absolutely fantastic album. Instant purchase on vinyl for me.