American III: Solitary Man

by Johnny Cash

Overview

The Man in Black shows hints of gray on American III: Solitary Man, his first studio album since being interrupted by a series of serious illnesses in 1997. While the inevitability of aging has been the downfall of many of his contemporaries, Johnny Cash's dark convictions and powerful presence have gone from rough hardwood to solid stone. The stark beauty of his 1994 release American Recordings and the warm, friendly collaborations on 1996's Unchained combine to create two distinct moods: one of living-room jam sessions with invited friends, and another of stark solo (and near-solo) songs highlighting Cash's years and stories. Partnering once again with Tom Petty, the two join together on Petty's own "I Won't Back Down" and the Neil Diamond-penned title track. Cash also lays his lonesome hands on U2's "One" and reunites with fellow outlaw Merle Haggard on the stubborn "I'm Leavin' Now." These duets and well-known covers show an inviting side of Johnny Cash. But the real highlights of the album are those reminiscent of his American Recordings songs; they feature just the man and his guitar, with nothing else to clutter the story. The creaks and despair of the vaudeville song "Nobody" tell of a man who has become hardened by his solitude, while the Palace hymn "I See a Darkness" soars with the passion of a thousand gospel choirs, even though there are only two men singing. Although at times it is difficult to hear past Tom Petty's growl or Sheryl Crow's young harmonies in the more popular songs Cash covers, these obscure prison songs and country ballads sound as honest and heartfelt as his own compositions. At age 68, his warm baritone may waver but his passion never does. ~ Zac Johnson

Product Details

Release Date:	03/03/2014
Label:	American
UPC:	0602537530328
Rank:	28176

Tracks

1. I Won't Back Down
2. Solitary Man
3. That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)
4. One
5. Nobody
6. I See a Darkness
7. The Mercy Seat
8. Would You Lay with Me (In a Field of Stone)
9. Field of Diamonds
10. Before My Time
11. Country Trash
12. Mary of the Wild Moor
13. I'm Leavin' Now
14. Wayfaring Stranger

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Johnny Cash   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Will Oldham   Guest Artist,Vocals
Marty Stewart   Guest Artist
Merle Haggard   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Guitar,Vocals
Norman Blake   Guest Artist,Guitar
Sheryl Crow   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Vocals,Accordion
Randy Scruggs   Guest Artist,Guitar
Tom Petty   Guest Artist,Featured Artist,Organ,Vocals
Larry Perkins   Guitar
Marty Stuart   Guitar
Laura Cash   Fiddle
Mike Campbell   Guitar
Benmont Tench   Organ,Piano,Harmonium
June Carter Cash   Vocals

Technical Credits

Traditional   Composer
Billy Bowers   Editing,Digital Editing
Jack Routh   Composer
Larry Mullen, Jr.   Composer
Beasley Smith   Composer
The Edge   Composer
U2   Composer
Jeff Lynne   Composer
Lou Robin   Management
Richard Dodd   Engineer
Rick Rubin   Producer
Danny Clinch   Photography
Nick Cave   Composer
Merle Haggard   Composer
Mick Harvey   Composer
David Ferguson   Mixing,Engineer
Eddy Schreyer   Mastering
Will Oldham   Composer
Tom Petty   Composer
David Allan Coe   Composer
Haven Gillespie   Composer
David Schiffman   Mixing,Engineer
Bert Williams   Composer
Bono   Composer
Dave Sardy   Engineer
John Carter Cash   Arranger,Adaptation,Associate Producer
Johnny Cash   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Adaptation,Liner Notes
Neil Diamond   Composer
Adam Clayton   Composer
Chuck Turner   Digital Editing
Dennis Turner   Composer,Composer
Martyn Atkins   Photography
David Coleman   Art Direction
Harry Beasley Smith   Composer
Lindsay Chase   Production Coordination