1996 studio album by Johnny Cash
Unchained |
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Studio album by Johnny Cash |
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Released | November 5, 1996 |
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Recorded | 1995–1996 |
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Studio | - Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research (Hollywood)
- Sound City (Van Nuys, California)
- Ocean Way (Hollywood, California)
- NRG (Hollywood, California)
- Cowboy Arms (Nashville, Tennessee)
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Genre | Country rock[1] |
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Length | 41:11 |
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Label | American |
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Producer | Rick Rubin |
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Johnny Cash chronology |
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The Road Goes on Forever (1995) | Unchained (1996) | VH1 Storytellers: Johnny Cash & Willie Nelson (1998) | |
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American series chronology |
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American Recordings (1994) | Unchained (1996) | American III: Solitary Man (2000) | |
Singles from Unchained |
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Professional ratingsReview scores |
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Source | Rating |
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AllMusic | link |
Robert Christgau | link |
Unchained, also known as American II: Unchained is the second album in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series (and his 82nd overall). It was released on November 5, 1996, by American Recordings. Like all of Cash's albums for American Recordings, Unchained was produced by Rick Rubin. The album received a Grammy for 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".[2]
Unchained focuses on covers. In addition to three of Cash's own compositions, Unchained contained songs by Jude Johnstone ("Unchained"), Tom Petty ("Southern Accents"), Spain ("Spiritual"), Soundgarden ("Rusty Cage"), and Beck ("Rowboat"). The album also included a cover of the classic 1962 Hank Snow song, "I've Been Everywhere", written by Geoff Mack. From 2003 to 2009, Cash's version of "I’ve Been Everywhere" from this album Unchained has been used in several Choice Hotels commercials and has been the theme for these commercials. It was also used in a USPS commercial from 2021 to 2022. Cash's version of "I’ve Been Everywhere" has also been used as a soundtrack in Season 2 of the animated series The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy. According to biographer Robert Hilburn, Cash also recorded a cover version of Robert Palmer's "Addicted to Love" during the recording sessions for Unchained, but it was not released.[3]
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.
Track listing
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
- Johnny Cash – vocals, acoustic rhythm guitar
- Tom Petty – vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, Chamberlin
- Mike Campbell – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, mandolin, Dobro
- Benmont Tench – piano, Hammond organ, Vox Continental organ, harmonium, Chamberlin
- Rick DePiro – piano, organ (8, 13)
- Howie Epstein – acoustic guitar, bass
- Steve Ferrone – drums and percussion (1–6, 10, 12, 14)
- Curt Bisquera – drums and percussion (7–8)
- Marty Stuart – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass (1, 4–5, 10–14)
- Flea – bass (7)
- Lindsey Buckingham – acoustic guitar (2)
- Mick Fleetwood – percussion (2)
- Juliet Prater – percussion (3)
- Production and technical staff
- Rick Rubin – producer
- David R. 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
Certifications
References
- ^ Perry, Megan (2010). How to Be a Record Producer in the Digital Era. Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed. ISBN 9780307875259. Retrieved 20 June 2024.
- ^ Thomson, G. (2011). The Resurrection of Johnny Cash: Hurt, Redemption, and American Recordings. Jawbone Press, pp.195-198.
- ^ Robert Hilburn, Johnny Cash: A Life. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2013, p.564
- ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Johnny Cash Chart History (Top Country Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Official Country Artists Albums Chart Top 20". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
- ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Swedishcharts.com – Johnny Cash – Unchained". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – Johnny Cash – Unchained". Hung Medien. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Johnny Cash – Unchained" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "8ask". Billboard. 19 February 2003. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
External links
- Luma Electronic's Johnny Cash discography listing
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Studio albums | 2000–2020s | - American III: Solitary Man
- American IV: The Man Comes Around
- American V: A Hundred Highways
- American VI: Ain't No Grave
- Out Among the Stars
- Songwriter
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Live albums | |
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Soundtracks | - I Walk the Line
- Little Fauss and Big Halsy
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Compilations | |
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Songs | |
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Television | |
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Biographies | |
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Tribute albums | - The Sound Behind Johnny Cash
- Kindred Spirits: A Tribute to the Songs of Johnny Cash
- Dressed in Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
- Johnny's Blues: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
- Walk the Line: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Fade to Black: Memories of Johnny
- All Aboard: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
- Johnny Cash Remixed
- We Walk the Line: A Celebration of the Music of Johnny Cash
- Forever Words
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Associated acts | |
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Family | |
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Historical sites | |
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Category |
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Studio albums | |
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Live albums | |
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Compilations | |
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Videography | |
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Songs | |
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Related articles | |
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Authority control databases | - MusicBrainz release group
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