CD Review – American VI: Ain’t No Grave – Johnny Cash

14 years ago Liv Carter Comments Off on CD Review – American VI: Ain’t No Grave – Johnny Cash

‘American VI: Ain’t No Grave’ – Johnny Cash (American/Lost Highway, 2010)

I’ve always found that songs sound just a little different in the hands of Johnny Cash. Right from the opener and title track, ‘American VI: Ain’t No Grave’ grips and it stays with you long after the CD stopped spinning.

Some have questioned whether these songs should have been released. Johnny’s voice had lost some of its strength but none of it’s emotional power and I believe these songs are significant enough that this release is more than justified.

When Johnny sings, on ‘For the Good Times’ –
‘Don’t look so sad, I know it’s over
But life goes on
And this old world will keep on turning
Let’s just be glad we had some time
To spend together’
– he is not lamenting the demise of a relationship but his entire life. Such is the tone of ‘American VI’. Very aware he was nearing the end of his life, and with a clarity of thought I might imagine comes with that, Johnny soaked these songs in wisdom and authenticity, nicely assisted by an understated, quiet production.

‘I Don’t Hurt Anymore’ isn’t so much “I am over my broken heart and ready to move on” as it sounds like “I have released my burden and I know I am at the end”. ‘Satisfied Mind’ reminds us that true happiness only comes from within ourselves – ‘the wealthiest person is a pauper at times compared to the person with a satisfied mind’.

Very powerful is ‘Redemption Day’, partly because of the way Johnny almost spits out some of the lyrics, and partly because of the potent words themselves –
‘Oh why we waited til so late
Was there no oil to excavate
No riches in trade for the fate
Of every person who dies in hate’

‘Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream’ sent a chill down my spine as I realized the world described is not going to be achieved in my lifetime either and what a shame that really is – ‘last night I had the strangest dream I ever dreamed before/I dreamed that all the world agreed to put an end to war’.

This well-chosen collection of songs is packed full of life lessons. Listening to ‘American VI: Ain’t No Grave’ is like listening to my grandpa recount all his stories and experiences, and what he learned from them. This is a very special album from a very special artist and it makes me appreciate his contribution to music even more.

As the song goes:

Let’s just be glad we had some time
To spend together

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Liv Carter

Liv Carter

Liv is a career coach for creatives, and the people who work with them.
She holds several certificates from Berklee College of Music, and a certificate in Positive Psychology from UC Berkeley.
Her main influences are coffee, cats, and Alexander Hamilton.
Liv Carter

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