The Last One From the Man in Black

With a wealth of recordings for his fans to envelop themselves in, why the posthumous release of Johnny Cash’s “American VI: Ain’t No Grave” so long after his death? Granted, his music is still relevant, as he sang about the downtrodden (“Man in Black”), the ignored (“Folsom Prison Blues”) and the outsider (“A Boy Named Sue”), however, with these new tracks, his legacy as the man who dressed in black until every ill of the world was mended gives a redundancy to the messages in his music.

The album does start out promisingly with the title track. The chains and stripped down guitar licks companion-ed with the lyrics give a haunting affect that reverberates through your psyche. Cash’s voice sounds as if he is being pulled into that other world, even as he sings “Ain’t no grave can hold me down.”

Then we have “Redemption Day.” Written by Sheryl Crow, it is a watered-down version of “(Ghost) Fire in the Sky.” More depressing than Chilling, this track did not have to be released. Essentially, it’s not something that we should remember Cash singing.

However, “For the Good Times,” written by Kris Kristofferson (Yes Whistler from “Blade” – make no mistake, Kristofferson has lived more country songs and lifetimes than we will ever know) is more than
worthy of Cash. It is another barebones track that does not speak of mourning for what has left, but to remember the amazing time that was spent. Still, surrounded by songs like “I Corinthians 15:55” reminds the listener that the record company is ultimately in control of an artist’s legacy. “I Corinthians” (written by Cash) is yet another track that takes away from Cash’s iconic persona. This was a man who took out a full page ad to literally give the finger to the Grammys.

Just as you begin to wallow in what might have been if Cash were still alive, you hear “Can’t Help but Wonder Where I’m Bound.” With guitar and piano, Tom Paxton writes about the past and the unknown in a way that makes you long for Cash’s return. It’s a cruel trick for the listener, as you’ll never hear Cash sing it live.

We then come to a track that has been covered by several artists, including Roseanne Cash. “Satisfied Mind” is well suited for Cash as it is only his voice and a lone guitar voicing an inner dialogue. “I Don’t Hurt Anymore,” with its surprisingly upbeat tempo, is one of the most haunting tracks on the album, as its deceptive music misleads the listener. Listen to the words and the way Cash sings it – the spirit of irony that pervades the track will stay with you for a long while after it’s over.

After hearing the other tracks, “Cool Water” is a forgettable tune, but it sets you up for “Last Night I Had The Strangest Dream.” Written by Ed McCurdy in 1950, it is the flip side of Cash’s hit “Man in Black.” Have you ever been in the middle between sleep and wake and had snatches of a dream, then as you go through your day you remember snippets of it? That’s what McCurdy’s song will do to you – it will remind you of bits of Cash’s songs that resonated. Here, “Last Night I had The Strangest Dream” is just a hollow version of better material covered and written by Cash and his wife June.