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  88843082332CD  £13.00

Johnny Cash

Unearthed Boxset

Over the course of five mesmerising CDs, Unearthed shows us just how Johnny Cash's now-legendary handful of recordings for American Records came to be. Four discs feature previously unreleased tracks from the famed Rick Rubin-produced sessions. Through their inconsistencies and quirks (and, more often than not, brilliance), they shed light on how Cash's final records were shaped, edited and produced. Here we get some creative pairings: Fiona Apple providing guest vocals on Cat Stevens' "Father & Son" and the late Joe Strummer duetting with Cash on Bob Marley's "Redemption Song". Neither are the definitive statements that some of Cash's covers from this period are (his glorious takes on Nick Lowe and Danzig, to name just two), but they're still very much worth hearing.

Most riveting are the numerous traditional numbers, the songs that were clearly closest to the Man in Black's heart. "Banks of the Ohio", Billy Joe Shaver's "Old Chunk of Coal", Stephen Foster's "Hard Times" and the entire disc of previously unreleased gospel tunes are powerful statements, tunes where you feel privileged to hear Cash--despite declining health and failing voice--sing one more time, the way he wanted. The last disc of this monumental set is a "best-of" compilation of tracks that did make it on the American individual discs, a reminder of just how groundbreaking these sessions were. Perhaps the biggest highlight in this awe-inspiring set is its vast liner note, a loving collection of essays and recollections that highlight the history and stories behind this eclectic array of songs. --Jason Verlinde

Tracklist

• Disc: 1
  1. Long Black Veil
  2. Flesh And Blood
  3. Just The Other Side Of Nowhere
  4. If I Give My Soul
  5. Understand Your Man
  6. Banks Of The Ohio
  7. Two Timin' Woman
  8. The Caretaker
  9. Old Chunk Of Coal
  10. I'm Going To Memphis
  11. Breaking Bread
  12. Waiting For A Train
  13. Casey's Last Ride
  14. No Earthly Good
  15. The Fourth Man In The Fire
  16. Dark As A Dungeon
  17. Book Review
  18. Down There By The Train

  Disc: 2
  1. Pocahontas
  2. I'm A Drifter
  3. Trouble In Mind
  4. Down The Line
  5. I'm Movin' On
  6. As Long As The Grass Shall Grow
  7. Heart Of Gold
  8. The Running Kind - Johnny Cash, Tom Petty - Johnny Cash, Tom Petty
  9. Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby
  10. Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins - Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins
  11. "T" For Texas
  12. Devil's Right Hand
  13. I'm A Drifter
  14. Like A Soldier - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson - Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson
  15. Drive On
  16. Bird On A Wire

  Disc: 3
  1. A Singer Of Songs
  2. The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore
  3. Redemption Song - Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer - Johnny Cash, Joe Strummer
  4. Father And Son - Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple - Johnny Cash, Fiona Apple
  5. Chattanooga Sugar Babe
  6. He Stopped Loving Her Today
  7. Hard Times
  8. Wichita Lineman
  9. Cindy - Johnny Cash, Nick Cave - Johnny Cash, Nick Cave
  10. Big Iron
  11. Salty Dog
  12. Gentle On My Mind - Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell - Johnny Cash, Glen Campbell
  13. You Are My Sunshine
  14. You'll Never Walk Alone
  15. The Man Comes Around

  Disc: 4
  1. Delia's Gone
  2. Bird On A Wire
  3. Thirteen
  4. Rowboat
  5. The One Rose (That's Left In My Heart)
  6. Rusty Cage
  7. Southern Accents
  8. The Mercy Seat
  9. Solitary Man
  10. Wayfaring Stranger
  11. One
  12. I Hung My Head
  13. The Man Comes Around
  14. We'll Meet Again
  15. Hurt