Unchained (Johnny Cash album)

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Unchained
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 5, 1996
Recorded1995–1996
Studio
  • Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Hollywood)
  • Sound City (Van Nuys, California)
  • Ocean Way (Hollywood)
  • NRG Recording (Hollywood)
  • Cowboy's Arms Hotel and Recording Spa (Nashville)
Genre
Length41:11
LabelAmerican
ProducerRick Rubin
Johnny Cash chronology
The Road Goes on Forever
(1995)
Unchained
(1996)
VH1 Storytellers: Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson
(1998)
American series
chronology
American Recordings
(1994)
Unchained
(1996)
American III: Solitary Man
(2000)
Singles from Unchained
  1. "Rusty Cage"
    Released: October 22, 1996
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic link
Robert Christgau(1-star Honorable Mention) link

Unchained, also known as American II: Unchained is the second album in

Best Country Album and Cash was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his version of "Rusty Cage
."

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

Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" during the recording sessions for Unchained, but it was not released.[2]

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.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Rowboat" (
Mean Eyed Cat"
Cash2:33
11."Meet Me in Heaven"Cash3:21
12."I Never Picked Cotton" (Roy Clark cover)Bobby George, Charles Williams2:39
13."Unchained" (Jude Johnstone cover)Jude Johnstone2:51
14."I've Been Everywhere" (Lucky Starr cover)Geoff Mack3:16

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes.

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 -

Billboard
(United States)

Chart (1996) Peak
position
Billboard 200 170
Top Country Albums 26

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States 221,000[3]

References

  1. ^ Thomson, G. (2011). The Resurrection of Johnny Cash: Hurt, Redemption, and American Recordings. Jawbone Press, pp.195-198.
  2. ^ Robert Hilburn, Johnny Cash: A Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013, p.564
  3. ^ "8ask". Billboard. 19 February 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.

External links