Marathon Pundit: Review: Johnny Cash's American VI: Ain't No Grave

Last week the final American Recordings album by Johnny Cash, American VI: Ain't No Grave was released--three days short of the 78th anniversary of his birth. The Man in Black of course died in 2003--his health had been poor since the turn of the century.

Had this been Cash's first album, well, it would not be so-well received, by myself or anyone else. Seven decades and some hard living had worn down his voice, but with a performer such as Cash, it's impossible to separate a swan song from the earlier body of work.

Think of watching your father in a family Thanksgiving touch football game--as an awestruck child you witness his mastery of the sport, but as he ages--and you can't help not noticing that--you fondly remember his earlier greatness even as he runs with the ball more slowly.

And it is with American VI.

Death pervades the album. If it was a movie, it would take place in late fall and the opening scene would take place in a graveyard.

But Cash's Christian faith also dominates, as he sings in the title track:

There ain't no grave gonna hold my body down
When you hear that trumpet sound
Gonna get up out of the ground
There ain't no grave gonna hold my body down

American VI contains just one Cash original, "I Corinthians 15:55."

O Death, where is thy sting?
O Grief, where is they victory?
O Life, you are a shining path.
And hope springs eternal, just over the rise,
When I see my redeemer beckoning me

Opposite of Cash's handwritten lyrics of this song is the image of Christ from the Shroud of Turin.

Unlike the other albums in the Rick Rubin-produced series, there are no "Wow, he's covering that!" songs here. The only track that comes remotely close is the Hawaiian folk song "Aloha Oe."

Until we meet again.

The Man in Black is now acompanied by angels in white on the other side.

Many of the musicians from the earlier American Recordings, including Benmont Tench and Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers are back for this effort. As for the sound of the album, it continues the refined acoustic nature of Cash's later output, but without the grit of such tunes as "Sam Hall" from American IV.

If you are intrigued by Cash's work but are unfamiliar with him, or if you just know Cash from Joaquin Phoenix' portrayal in Walk the Line, this album is not for you. I recommend you start with a greatest hits package such as The Legend of Johnny Cash, or either of his best live albums, Folsom Prison or San Quentin.

For everyone else, go out and purchase American VI.

Related posts:

My Mississippi Manifest Destiny: Johnny Cash's boyhood home
Happy 78th birthday, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash: Hurt
Johnny Cash: The Big Light
Johnny Cash - Ballad Of John Henry's Hammer
Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson: Sunday Morning Coming Down
Johnny Cash: Without Love

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