Johnny Cash (from the album Songwriter

Johnny Cash (from the album Songwriter

Johnny Cash (from the album Songwriter on UMG Recordings) (by Lee Zimmerman)

The succinctly dubbed Songwriter began life as an unreleased album Johnny Cash recorded in 1993, a decade before his passing and prior to the albums he recorded with Rick Rubin in hopes of courting a contemporary audience. Overseen by his son John Carter Cash, the songs were stripped down to Cash’s hearty, husky vocals and then given fresh new arrangements courtesy of an outstanding ensemble of new musical recruits — among them, Dan Auerbach (on the track titled “Spotlight”), Marty Stuart, the late bassist Dave Roe, drummer Pete Abbott, bassist and guitarist Russ Pahl, Mike Rojas on keys, Harry Stinson on backing vocals, and various others as well.
 
The result is a set of songs that are both reflective, engaging, and mostly sung from a personal perspective. Opening track “Hello Out There” has a shine and shimmer that effectively enhances the prescient nature of the song: ‘in this final fight for life and peace, we’re failing failing failing failing failing’. The most affecting track of all, “I Love You Tonight”, is, in effect, a love song to wife June Carter Cash, one which recounts a life well spent together. ‘And when it’s all over, I hope we will go together’ Cash sings, offering a bittersweet send-off that nearly came true when June passed mere months before her husband did.
 
“Have You Ever Been to Little Rock” offers another autobiographical narrative, one that finds him offering an homage to the state where he was born and raised. So too, “Poor Valley Girl” recounts June’s own homespun origins and his gratitude to God for bringing her to him. The tone varies throughout. “Drive On”, sung from the perspective of a Vietnam vet who’s unfazed by his war wounds due to the ongoing devotion of his wife and family, finds Cash singing in the matter-of-fact vibrato that characterizes so many of his songs. “She Sings Sweet Baby James” shares poignancy and pathos, a sad song about a lonely single mom whose child has to be raised by her mother due to constant work responsibilities. “Sing It Peggy Sue” finds Johhny Cash offering advice to an unnamed artist who turned him loose to pursue fame and fortune. It’s given in the guise of a fan letter of sorts, but his disappointment is clearly palatable. Three songs specifically make mention of soldiers — the aforementioned “Drive On”, “Like a Soldier”, and “Soldier Boy”. Nevertheless, the themes are grounded in Cash’s own thoughts nada feelings, bringing them to full fruition.

Whether or not, Songwriter gains a storied stature remains to be seen, but one thing is certain. It does do the artist justice. And in Johnny Cash’s case, that certainly says a lot.  (by Lee Zimmerman)
 
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