NEW YORK (AP) — In 1993, Johnny Cash He was between record deals and was about to embark on an iconic collaboration with producer Rick Rubin that would span the last 10 years of his life, beginning with 1994’s “American Recordings.”
During this pivotal time in his career, Cash immersed himself in creating and recording original demos that showcased his prowess as a songwriter. Those songs, once pre-ordered, will be released on Friday as a full album. Cash’s son, John Carter Cash, removed the recordings, leaving only his father’s vocals and acoustic guitar, and recruited co-producer David “Fergie” Ferguson and some musicians his father had previously worked with for complete the recordings.
Aptly titled “Songwriter,” the album features 11 tracks, all written by Cash. Only two tracks will be familiar to fans of Rubin’s records: “Drive On” and “Like a Soldier” were previously released on American Recordings. Whereas Rubin’s performances favored a deeply felt minimalism (just an acoustic guitar and Cash’s idiosyncratic vocal tone), the “Songwriter” versions have a more layered sound with additional instrumentation. Not better, just different.
Emphasizing Cash’s role as a songwriter, this collection exists in contrast to his typical albums or recorded live performances, which often combine his own compositions with the songs of other writers. This album allows listeners to appreciate Cash as a performer, composer and lyricist, highlighting a unique intersection of his artistic career.
The previously released first single, the rockabilly-infused “Well Alright,” exudes Cash’s unmistakable style to such an extent that it could have easily found a place alongside classics like “Big River.” (In an alternate timeline, the track could appear in The grateful dead (They’ve certainly covered many Cash songs.)
Taken together, “Songwriter” offers a glimpse into a brief creative phase of Cash’s career that would be interrupted by a brilliant creative collaboration with Rubin. While not his most audacious work, “Songwriter” serves as a moving journey into a defining moment in Cash’s musical legacy. And who doesn’t love listening to unreleased material from the Man in Black?
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