Unchained (Johnny Cash album)
Unchained | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | November 5, 1996 | |||
Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 41:11 | |||
Label | American | |||
Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
Johnny Cash chronology | ||||
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American series chronology | ||||
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Singles from Unchained | ||||
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Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | link |
Robert Christgau | link |
Unchained, also known as American II: Unchained is the second album in
Background
In contrast to the first album – on which Cash played alone – he is backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. There are guest appearances by country music veteran Marty Stuart (additional guitar on more than half the songs); Flea (bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers), on "Spiritual"; and by Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, both of Fleetwood Mac, on "Sea of Heartbreak".[1]
Unchained focuses on covers. In addition to three of Cash's own compositions, Unchained contained songs by
The album was recorded over a six-month period with engineer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios.
Previous recordings
Two songs on the album had previously been recorded by Cash.
- Cash previously recorded "Country Boy" for his 1957 album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!
- Cash previously recorded "Mean Eyed Cat" his 1960 album Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams.
Track listing
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Rowboat" ( Mean Eyed Cat" | Cash | 2:33 |
11. | "Meet Me in Heaven" | Cash | 3:21 |
12. | "I Never Picked Cotton" (Roy Clark cover) | Bobby George, Charles Williams | 2:39 |
13. | "Unchained" (Jude Johnstone cover) | Jude Johnstone | 2:51 |
14. | "I've Been Everywhere" (Lucky Starr cover) | Geoff Mack | 3:16 |
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
- Johnny Cash – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Tom Petty – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, Chamberlin
- Mike Campbell – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, mandolin, Dobro
- harmonium, Chamberlin
- Rick DePiro - piano, organ (8, 13)
- Howie Epstein – acoustic guitar, bass
- Steve Ferrone – drums and percussion (1–6, 10, 12, 14)
- Curt Bisquera – drums and percussion (7–8)
- Marty Stuart – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass (1, 4–5, 10–14)
- Flea – bass (7)
- Lindsey Buckingham – acoustic guitar (2)
- Mick Fleetwood – percussion (2)
- Juliet Prater – percussion (3)
- Production and technical staff
- Rick Rubin – producer
- David Ferguson – engineer
- Sylvia Massy – engineer, mixing
- John Ewing Jr., Greg Fidelman, Eddie Miller, Michael Stock – assistant engineers
- Gene Grimaldi, Eddy Schreyer – mastering (Oasis Mastering)
- Martyn Atkins – art direction, photography
- Christine Cano – art direction, design, photography, inlay photography
- Andy Earl – photography
Charts
Album -
Chart (1996) | Peak position |
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Billboard 200 | 170 |
Top Country Albums | 26 |
Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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United States | — | 221,000[3] |