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View Full Version : (country/folk/slow rock)Johnny Cash--American IV: THe Man Comes Around


robnathanson
08-13-2004, 08:29 AM
Johnny Cash is probably the most famous country artists ever, and this, his lkast release befroe his death, was a great example of his singing talent. (I don't think he played much for this cd, but even still)

The Tracklist:
1. the Man Comes Around (by Johnny Cash)
2. Hurt (written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails)
3. Give My Love to Rose (by Johnny Cash)
4. Bridge over troubled Water (by Paul Simon)
5. I Hung My Head (Sting)
6. The First Time I Saw Your Face (Ewan MacColl)
7. Personal Jesus (Martin L. Gore)
8. In My Life (John Lennon/Paul McCartney)
9. Sam Hall (Arranged by Johnny Cash)
10. Danny Boy (Arranged by Johnny Cash
11. Desperado (Glenn Frey/Don Henley)
12. I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams)
13. Tear Stained Letter (Johnny Cash)
14. Streets of Laredo (Arranged and Adapted by Johnny Cash)
15. We'll Meet Again (Ross Parker/Hugh Charles)

I would list the musicians, however there are different players for each track (some are repeated) but it would take too long to do.

Fiona Apple does some vocals on Bridge Over Troubled Water. On Personal Jesus, John Frusciante (of Red Hot Chili Peppers) plays acoustic guitar. Don Henley does some vocals on Desperado.

My copy of the CD came with a bonus DVD which has the video for Hurt.

Some of the tracks

Far be itr for me to judge the quality of this album in comparrison to older Cash albums, as I have a very limited knowledge of his other songs (I've heard a few don't get me wrong)

The Man Comes Around I like this track because it is a simple, and it has a nice rythm. I like how the music is pretty simple (chord scratch a few times, then another chord) and how it fades into the chorus. Musically, it's simple, but genius. I like the way the guitar and the piano mix (veen though there's not a lot of piano) Cash's vocals are pretty good too.

in short a great track.

Hurt This is a track originally written and played and recorded by Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) this cover captures the perfect essence of the song. It fits Cash's life on a deeper basis than the lyrics were originally intended for. Shortly after this song, Johnny Cash's wife, June Carter Cash, passed away, and the lyrics seem to take on a whole new meaning for him. the original song was about drug use and addiction, and eventual death. It was done one the NIN album "The Downward Spiral" which seems to me like a concept album following a guy through different stages and phases of his addictions.
The Video for this song makes it really sad and gives a new perspective of the song too.

I Hung My Head This is another simple track, slower than some of the previous songs. It's a pretty good song. It's nothing spectacular, vocally it's kind of bland, but altogether it makes for a pretty cool song. It's about a guy who accidentally shoots a guy using his brother's rifle, kills him, and desperatly regrets it.

Personal Jesus This is a pretty cool track, it's got John Frusciante of Red Hot Chili Peppers, on the acoustic guitar, and he gives it a pretty funky rythm, which the piano accompanies pretty well. Cash's vocals are pretty bitchin in this song too. I really like it.

Desperado The guitar opening is pretty much the same as the Eagles version, except slower, as is the tune and flow of the song. Don Henly (of the Eagles) does some backup vocals on this song and it's pretty good. Cash does the majority, and he does a pretty good job of the song too.

My opinion

I like this cd. Althouigh, on osme of the songs, Mr. Cash's voice tends to get VERY monotonous. the other song more than make up for it, but it has it's lows in that area. Musically, it is NOT genius, but it's great, and it fits perfectly. I like the way the piano and guitars compliment each other on the whole cd.

I like the guest appearences (especially John Frusciante on personal Jesus) that song is pretty awesome. I really like the guitar work in that song.

I'd have to give this CD a 4/5. It's a great mix of songs, but Cash's voice ;leaves a lot to bre desired on some songs. other songs he's great.


EDIT: sorry for the shortness of the review, but I have to go out soom...

sadisticmonkey
08-13-2004, 09:36 AM
i think its one of his most inspiring albums.. His haggered, tired voice still shines with heart....His cover songs are great.... and the song Hurt was his final goodbye to the world.

Knifeboy
08-13-2004, 10:12 AM
I just heard the first song of this album.. I'm definately getting this..
I thought his voice sounded great on that track. Definetaly not taking anything away from the music

Bartender
08-13-2004, 11:42 AM
This is a great album, a really good last goodbye from Cash. Hurt is one of the best (if not the best) covers I've ever heard, as well as being one of the few I'd take over the original. Personal Jesus, Desperado, Give My Love to Rose..all good songs. My only slight quibble is Bridge Over Troubled Water, which I don't think his voice is suited for. And the opening track is awesome, definitely one of his top 10 original tracks (and I loved its use in the Dawn of the Dead remake).

Tangy zizzle
08-13-2004, 10:12 PM
I'd give it a 3.8/5.

mexicanfloydian
08-13-2004, 10:16 PM
Some people say cash covered trent, other say the opposite. I don't know who covered whom.

Good review by the way.

sadisticmonkey
08-13-2004, 10:28 PM
Some people say cash covered trent, other say the opposite. I don't know who covered whom.

Good review by the way.


Cash covered Trent.

robnathanson
08-13-2004, 10:40 PM
Some people say cash covered trent, other say the opposite. I don't know who covered whom.

Good review by the way.
considdering "the Downward Spiral" was released in like...1994.

this song/album was like 2002 or '03.

and also, the book credcits Reznor as writing the song.


to think that reznor covered this is stupidity and gullibility.

mexicanfloydian
08-14-2004, 06:05 PM
^^^^ It's not stupidity, since Cash started before NIN.
Usually new bands cover old bands.
I was just asking, because I wasn't sure who covered whom.

Bartender
08-14-2004, 06:08 PM
Well it was mentioned a couple of times in the review, and in the replies.

Tangy zizzle
08-14-2004, 10:16 PM
There's no basis to this argument.

Trent Reznor wrote Hurt. John covered it, like he did to alot of songs.

mexicanfloydian
08-14-2004, 10:22 PM
I was just asking, don't get mad.
I've heard people saying it it from cash, and people saying it was from trent. I asked, now I know Trent wrote it.
I'm not a fan of Cash so I don't know if he likes to cover songs or not.

robnathanson
08-14-2004, 10:57 PM
I never called you stupid, just your frined who argues that Mr. Cash wrote the song.

he didn't, and now you are not mis-informed nor are you confused:)

now let's stop the pointless bickering

Mardy
12-07-2004, 02:43 AM
The Man Comes Around fits greatly on the Dawn of the Dead remake soundtrack