UNCHAINED
Unchained is the second album in Johnny Cash’s American Recording series (and his 82nd overall). On the album, Cash is mostly backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In addition to three of Cash’s own compositions, Unchained contained songs by Tom Petty (“Southern Accents”), 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. In comparison with the country folk sound of Cash’s other American Recordings’ albums, this one has more of a hard, true country rock sound. Unchained received a Grammy for Best Country Album, and Cash was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his version of “Rusty Cage”. (More from Wikipedia)
When one of Johnny Cash’s later albums, Unchained (1996) won a Grammy for Best Country Album, he and his record company ran an ad in Billboard magazine saying the following: “American Recordings and Johnny Cash would like to acknowledge the Nashville music establishment and country radio for your support.” The ad was accompanied by a truly fierce photograph of Cash flashing the middle finger.
(September 2012)
