Released 20 years ago today, this is an album of songs that Johnny Cash recorded at 71 years old, just months before his death, though it was not released until a few years after his death. His iconic bass-baritone voice is a bit more ragged than it was in the decades before, but it's still beautiful, and star Producer Rick Rubin helps Cash craft a beautiful, timeless country instrumentation for these songs. Only a few of the songs, "Like The 309" and "I Came To Believe", are written by Cash and the rest are covers. Some of these songs like "Help Me" and "I'm Free From The Chain Gain Now", Cash had originally recorded 30-40 years before, but these are new recordings. And all of the covers, from songwriters such as Hank Williams, Gordon Lightfoot and Bruce Springsteen, are remade into Cash's own, classic country style. Johnny Cash talks about his faith in God and his struggles through these songs, and like he has always done, brings that back-woods, southern vibe to the world's listening audience. This album is one I've only started listening to in the last few years, but it is a striking collection of some of the final recordings from this American icon. Thank you, God, for Johnny Cash and happy Independence Day to those who celebrate.

Release Year: 2006
Listen on Apple Music
Listen on Spotify