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Johnny Cash | American III: Solitary Man

Yet another classic collection from the Man in Black. Pray for his soul.
CD, American/Sony

Tekst: Alex Tobin

Publicatiedatum: 15 januari 2001

The reviewer discussing Johnny Cash's latest, fine album 'American III: Solitary Man' has an admittedly easy job. After all, there are so many angles waiting to be used in constructing something witty and pithy, with or without a so-called 'one-sheet' bio. That reviewer could talk about Cash's alleged close bout with death (He contracted double pneumonia, then blood poisoning a few years back, and he still - possibly - suffers from Shy-Drager syndrome, a neurological disorder similar to Parkinson's, but much nastier and rarer.) and how it's a miracle that this has even been recorded, much less that it's a stunning collection of songs - four originals, nine covers, and a traditional.
The fortunate scribe could also easily reassess the Man in Black's relationship with beardy producer Rick Rubin, mentioning once again - as on predecessors 'American Recordings' and 'Unchained' - the hip variety of covers chosen, songs originally performed by Tom Petty, Neil Diamond, U2, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, and even Will Oldham - yes, Will Oldham. Also, guests are here aplenty: wife June Carter Cash, daughter Laura, and son John Carter Cash acts as associate producer, while non-family friends include Sheryl Crow, Merle Haggard, Petty, Oldham, and a handful of the cream of country's pickers... Don't forget to mention that this was recorded in a little shed in Cash's back yard in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Oh yes.
Well - so far, and indeed so easy. But what about the music? Well, John Cash pulls it off yet again. 'American III: Solitary Man' is a damn fine album indeed. Situated somewhere between 'American Recordings' and 'Unchained' musically, Cash's voice has never sounded so pleading and fragile, yet so vengeful and determined as on tracks such as opener 'I Won't Back Down' and 'The Mercy Seat'. While the constellation of the album tracks might not be quite as novel as on the first release with Rubin, Cash is able to make most of these covers work, and some sound like they were written just for him and for him alone ('Solitary Man', the title track, being a good example.). Finally also we have our Johnny/Merle duet ('I'm Leavin' Now'), and the vocal harmonies of June Carter Cash and Sheryl Crow on 'Field of Diamonds' work surprisingly well.
Long gone is the boom-chicka-boom sound of the Tennessee Two; Cash's songs are much more fleshed-out nowadays, but yet it's remarkable how he is able to reduce the essence of the work down to its very core. Raw emotion, passion, feeling is the result. If - and forgive me for saying this - 'American III: Solitary Man' was the last recording John R. Cash were to make, he could easily ride off into the sunset with a big old grin on his face. He may "see a darkness", but let's hope - indeed let's pray - that Johnny Cash "won't back down" just yet.

http://www.kindamuzik.net/recensie/johnny-cash/american-iii-solitary-man/82/
Meer Johnny Cash op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/johnny-cash