Johnny Cash - American VI: Ain't No Grave

 

Although he began his career as an outlaw to the Nashville establishment, Johnny Cash has come to literally define and embody country music. At first, his unique mix of hillbilly music with gospel and blues made him a perfect fit at Sam Phillips' Sun Records, where he recorded such classics as "Folsom Prison Blues" and "I Walk The Line." 

From there, Johnny signed with Columbia records and embarked on one of the most remarkable musical careers of the twentieth century. Transforming into The Man In Black, Johnny spent more than thirty years reinventing and contradicting himself - breaking all of the rules of traditional country music only to emerge as the ultimate mythic hero and archetype of the genre.

No other artist has touched the world of music quite like Johnny Cash. He is the only person to be inducted into the Country Music Hall Of Fame, The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame and The Songwriter's Hall Of Fame. His very name is synonymous with the fight for the rights of the poor and downtrodden and the image of "The Man In Black" is as deeply American as the stars and stripes themselves. 

American VI: Ain't No Grave (2010) is the final chapter and last recordings in the illustrious series of Johnny Cash recordings produced by Rick Rubin. The series began with 1994’s acclaimed American Recordings, followed by Unchained (1996), American III: Solitary Man (2000), the final release during his lifetime American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002) and first posthumous release American V: A Hundred Highways (2006).

Recorded during the same 2002-2003 sessions that produced its predecessor American V: A Hundred Highways, American VI: Ain't No Grave features one Johnny Cash original ("I Corinthians 15:55"), covers of material by Sheryl Crow ("Redemption Day") and Kris Kristofferson ("For the Good Times") and the Avett Brothers on the title cut.