Johnny Cash is, quite simply, an Icon. And there is no way I could be unbiased about this album. The fact that he's "in fashion" now in no way lessens his greatness. Whether he's in or out of fashion doesn't matter, Cash will alawys be the very definition of "cool" to me.
The American recordings enabled Cash to reclaim his critical credibility (if not always transferring to commercial success - not all of the American albums were huge sellers) so this, his supposed final album (bear in mind a 6th collection of Rubin-produced recordings is apparently in the pipe-line), is not a surprise but it's an almost unconfortable feeling as you listen to his final recordings.
The spectre of death looms large and Cash has always been a man fully aware of his own mortality. As a result you may need some hankies within reaching distance when you listen to this (or maybe it's just me - if you can manage to watch the video to his Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" you might just about be ok although if you can do that I suspect you haven't got a soul) although the end result is never depressing.
Highlights include The 309 (Cash's final composition), the Hank Williams cover On The Evening Train and God's Gonna Cut You Down (which Moby fans might remember). Newcomers to Johnny Cash may not find themselves instantly converted if they made this their first port of call, but if you've ever liked a Johnny Cash song in your life, this is something you just have to listen to.
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