Unchained (Johnny Cash album)

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Unchained
Studio album by
Johnny Cash
ReleasedNovember 5, 1996
Recorded1995–1996
Studio
  • Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Hollywood)
  • Sound City (Van Nuys, California)
  • Ocean Way (Hollywood, California)
  • NRG (Hollywood, California)
  • Cowboy Arms
    (Nashville, Tennessee)
GenreCountry rock[1]
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
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]

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

While Cash's first album produced by Rubin featured only his voice and guitar, on Unchained Cash 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".[3]

Unchained focuses on cover song written by other performers. 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.[4]

For Unchained Cash recorded new versions of two songs he'd recorded decades earlier. "Country Boy" was featured on his 1957 debut album

Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams
.

The album was recorded over a six-month period with engineer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios.

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

Charts

Album Chart Peak
position
US Billboard 200[5] 170
US Top Country Albums (Billboard)[6] 26
UK Country Albums (OCC)[7] 4
Scottish Albums (OCC)[8] 96
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[9] 23
Norwegian Albums (VG-lista)[10] 20
German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)[11] 96

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States — 221,000[12]

References

  1. ISBN 9780307875259
    . Retrieved 20 June 2024.
  2. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8
    .
  3. ^ Thomson, G. (2011). The Resurrection of Johnny Cash: Hurt, Redemption, and American Recordings. Jawbone Press, pp.195-198.
  4. ^ Robert Hilburn, Johnny Cash: A Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013, p.564
  5. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  6. ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  8. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Johnny Cash – Unchained". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  10. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Johnny Cash – Unchained". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  11. GfK Entertainment Charts
    . Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  12. ^ "8ask". Billboard. 19 February 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
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