Johnny Cash - 'American V: A Hundred Highways' (American Recordings) Released 03/07/06

    The final instalment of the American series is also the final collection of recordings from Johnny Cash. As resilient as a veteran neighbour, Cash produced what can only be seen as a requiem in its perfect form. Reflective yet experimental, 'American V: A Hundred Highways' takes a stroll, stomp and a bluegrass cruise through a collection of covers and Cash’s final productions.

It would not be expected that a 71 year old man could produce an album that reaches the ranges of younger singers. The simplistic strings of opening ‘Help Me’ nonetheless set a soaring, bewildering tone of a man who exudes dusty roots whilst maintaining a signature style that has withstood his addictions, breakdowns and the more recent death of his wife.

The frailty of Cash’s condition and his dedication to recording struggle against each other, unwittingly creating a collection that richly booms from the traditional chant of ‘God’s Gonna Cut You Down', to a wistful take on ‘If You Could Read My Mind’. His final piece ‘309’ depicts in raspy mirth his longstanding obsession with the freedom of trains. His irony is saddening, as he ponders, "It should be a while / Before I see Doctor Death / So it would sure be nice / If I could get my breath".

Forgiving and retrospective, ‘Love’s Been Good to Me’ tells of his wandering nature and how his girl ‘smiled away the thunder’. A song that could drive the most mullet touting journo to a choking sob, it’s a song that shows Cash’s gift for writing emotive and straightforward lyrics that made him universally renowned as a rough gem. To witness such longevity that does not sound stretched is a triumph. Cash created an album that does not smack of humdinger covers. Instead, they have been recreated and woven with original work that showcases Cash the old Trojan who surprisingly grew old gracefully.