[.ca] Cash Unearthed (5CD)

From Amazon.com:
Over the course of five mesmerizing 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 notes, a loving collection of essays and recollections that highlight the history and stories behind this eclectic array of songs. --Jason Verlinde

If This doesn't move You then nothin' will:
I cried the day the Man in Black died and also after listening to this collection. Hard to imagine how the Neil Young covers didn't make it on any of the 4 "American Recordings". The booklet that comes with this box is worth the price of admission alone.

Unearthed does not disappoint:
_Unearthed_ is a very enjoyable collection of (mostly) previously unreleased material from the final period of Johnny Cash's recording career, on producer Rick Rubin's American label. If you like Cash's five American Recordings CDs, this set won't disappoint. Buyers should note that the fourth disc, _My Mother's Hymn Book_, has been released also as a single disc album by American. If you plan to get the box, you won't need _My Mother's Hymn Book_. The fifth disc of the box is a compilation of Cash's American CDs. This might seem superfluous if you have those CDs, but it's a nice collection.

I don't even like country music!:
I'm not a country music fan by any means, although my musical tastes are eclectic, ranging from 60's surf music, to Frank Sinatra, to Goth metal -- depending on what mood I'm in. In a CD store I was drawn to a display of Johnny Cash's "My Mothers Hymn Book." It sounded interesting, so I bought it - sort of on impulse. Well "My Mothers Hymn Book" is so good thet I rushed to Rhapsody to hear more Cash! "Unearthed" is extraordinarily deep, spiritual, human, and life affirming! Many of the songs are simply Johnny's heartfelt deep voice with his accoustic guitar or other simple accompaniment. There are also some interesting guests (Fiona Apple, for example). Cash captures life at its very essence. "Unearthed" is timeless! No fluff here -- Just raw life in all its glory and grace. I love it! Buy it!

Re: American records criticism:
Hey 'whitelake', the Cash 'estate' wasn't alone in giving material to American Recordings, if indeed they gave anything. If you read the liner notes, you'll notice that Cash recorded his last four albums with them, and every one of them has the distress signal (upside down American Flag) on them, so if you're looking to point fingers, point them at Johnny.

Impresionante:
Esta caja vale cada céntimo que inviertas en ella, contiene tantas excelentes canciones, tantos sentimientos... que he estado largas noches escuchándola como en trance y maravillado por lo que un hombre puede transmitir con su voz y una guitarra (en la mayoría de las canciones es sólo eso). Un broche de oro a una vida dedicada a la música.

• Long Black Veil
• Flesh & Blood
• Just The Other Side
• If I Give My Soul
• Understand Your Man
• Banks Of The Ohio
• Two Timing Woman
• The Caretaker (fka Who's Gonna Cry)
• Chunk Of Coal
• I'm Going To Memphis
• Breaking Bread
• Waiting For A Train
• Casey
• No Earthly Good
• The Fourth Man In The Fire
• Dark As A Dungeon
• Book Review
• Down There By The Train
• Pochohantas
• I'm A Drifter (Version 1, Heartbreaker version)
• Trouble In Mind
• Down The Line
• I'm Movin' On
• As Long As
• Heart Of Gold
• The Running Kind (with Tom Petty)
• Everybody's trying To Be My Baby (with Carl Perkins)
• Brown-Eyed Handsome Man (with Carl Perkins)
• T Is For Texas
• Devil's Right Hand
• I'm A Drifter (Version 2 Flea version)
• Like A Soldier with Willie Nelson
• Drive On (Alt Lyrics)
• Bird On A Wire (Live with orchestra)
• Singer Of Songs
• The L & N Don't Stop Here Anymore
• Redemption Song (with Joe Strummer)
• Father & Son (with Fiona Apple)
• Chattanooga Sugarbabe
• He Stopped Loving Her Today
• Hard Times
• Wichita Lineman
• Cindy (with Nick Cave)
• Big Iron
• Salty Dog
• Gentle On My Mind
• You Are My Sunshine
• You'll Never Walk Alone
• The Man Comes Around (Alt take)
• Never Grow Old
• I Shall Not Be Moved
• I Am A Pilgrim
• Doo Lord
• When The Roll
• If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven
• I'll Fly Away
• Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies
• Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
• When He Reached Down
• In The Sweet Bye And Bye
• I'm Bound For The Promised Land
• In The Garden
• Softly & Tenderly
• Just As I Am
• Delia's Gone
• Bird On A Wire
• Thirteen
• Rowboat
• The One Rose
• Rusty Cage
• Southern Accents
• Mercy Seat
• Solitary Man
• Wayfaring Stranger
• One
• Hung My Head
• The Man Comes Around
• We'll Meet Again
• Hurt