Johnny Cash Album: “God”

This is a collection of religious songs by Johnny Cash, personally selected by Cash himself. The earliest song is from 1957 (one of the few religious songs he was allowed to record for Sun Records) and the most recent song is from 1996 (his second American Recordings

). This is good music that should appeal to Johnny Cash's fans, especially his Christian fans. You can tell his religious convictions are heartfelt when you hear him sing these songs. Recommended to Johnny Cash fans.

This is the first time I've ever done an online music review but just bought this CD last night. I've been a Johnny Cash fan for years and have only been listening to country/bluegrass gospel since O' Brother. This is quickly one of my favorite Cash albums and one of my favorite gospel albums. "What on Earth Will You Do for Heaven's Sake" isn't a teaser followed by a bunch of junk, it sets the tone for some wonderful music that only that voice, that wonderful voice of Johnny Cash steals right into your heart with. "Greatest Cowboy of Them All", "Great Speckled Bird", "Old Account", "Swing Low", "When He Comes", "Kneeling Drunkard's Plea", "Man in White" (if you know the story behind the song, I promise you'll end the song quite misty-eyed), and "Angel Band" (what a beautiful version here) are a long list of real stand outs.

I am not a Christian, but I still count this CD as among the best that the Man in Black ever cut. The album resonates with emotion and John's voice truly is the telling sign of how personal these tunes were for him. Also, be sure to check out the other 3 albums in the "quadrilogy:" Murder, Love, and Life.

While some artists singing about God may make you raise your eyebrows in unbelief, Cash makes you raise your eyebrows in delight. With so many songs previously that dealt with spirituality, Johnny Cash goes back to his original roots with some old hymn songs and some songs that he wrote himself. Obviously, the overall theme is "God" and Cash sings with the emotion that we have all grown to love. Fans of Cash's earlier work should still love this because it's the same style, except what he is singing about has more substance.

"At times, I'm a voice crying in the wilderness but at times I'm right on the money and know what I'm singing about," from Cash's liner notes of his 2000 album of handpicked "gospels, spirituals and songs of praise." Culled from 5 decades of recordings, some of the 16 selections feature his wife June and her Carter family. He wrote 8 of them, 3 are traditionals, and the rest by a wide range of songwriters, from the Carters to Kris Kristofferson to Roy Rogers.

He must have known he was knocking on heaven's door; he died 3 years later and 4 months after June did. The Carters turned him back to the Lord; their presence is felt throughout this album.