Prior to the release of this album, Johnny Cash was washed up. Although he had made both critical and commercial successes in the past, it was clear by the 1990s that many thought he had his day in terms of the music world. Enter producer Rick Rubin. Although Rubin himself was a producer of primarily both Rap and Heavy Metal music, the two had met and Rick Rubin offered his services to Johnny Cash in a bid to give the Country musician a second chance. The result was this album, the first in a landmark of an album series which was both a critical and commercial success that arguably was the most important set of recordings outside of Johnny Cash’s early works. Therefore, this is an important album in the history of music. Let’s take a listen to this album and hopefully, it will sound as good as promised.

Delia’s Gone is based on a traditional Blues song. It begins with nimble acoustic guitar and Johnny Cash’s deep singing voice. This is a simple and Folk styled tune that sounds brilliant, and heartbreaking simultaneously. A great musical tale that sounds very brutal, this sounds outstanding in its beauty and simplicity. Regardless, this is a really great listen about the horrors of sexism and murder throughout. This is miles better than some of the best Folk music out there, topping fellow competitors such as Bob Dylan. Johnny Cash proved that, even at an older age, he could deliver. A fantastic tune to begin this album with.

Let The Train Blow The Whistle begins with more straightforward acoustic guitar strumming and playing. Johnny Cash sings very well here and proves that he took care of his voice during his lifetime. He sings about loss, heartbreak and emotional experiences throughout the hindsight of memory. Nonetheless, this is an amazing and interesting listen that sounds really excellent and fantastic. A really awesome listening experience, this is a template for those who want to be a simple acoustic guitar player and singer in general. With references to sex, drugs and Rock and Roll (not directly, however) this is definitely an interesting listen. Another fantastic tune to hear. Top class.

The Beast In Me begins very slowly and deeply on acoustic guitar. Johnny Cash begins singing away nicely about being stuck in confinement. This is another awesome and simple tune that deserves your ears and attention and sounds like an intelligent and deep musical statement throughout. Johnny Cash sings very deeply in this song, and he sounds like he is on his game. This is late 20th century poetry set to simple music. Nonetheless, this sounds extremely top-notch and awesome throughout. This will bring a smile to your face in appreciation, despite the misery lyrically. Another fine tune from Johnny Cash.

Drive On is a bit more uptempo and sounds like a road trip Blues number. It is a great, Folk tale that sounds very Bob Dylan-esque and is a really good listen, with a touch of warped sense of humour at hand. Johnny Cash sings well here, and his acoustic guitar playing is fine and top-notch. Another really awesome tune, many people out there who detest the stereotypical nature of Country Music would no doubt be silenced upon hearing this number. “Drive on”, indeed. An awesome and well-made piece of music with image evoking lyrics present, Johnny Cash hit the nail on the head here. Excellent.

Why Me Lord begins with some clanging acoustic guitar chord strumming, which is excellent. Soon enough, Johnny Cash begins singing deeply and pleads for forgiveness from God. This is another great song and appeals to those in the Southern areas of the USA who are strictly Christian. Johnny Cash delivers another excellent and definitive song in his back catalogue that is simple, beautiful and above all, very much near perfect in its own way. It’s a great song for any of you out there that acknowledge God (in the Christian sense) and have prayed for help. Another quality tune, this sounds really excellent. A lovely listen, it finishes slowly and beautifully, with the acoustic guitar to conclude.

Thirteen is the number of bad luck in Western society. It sounds very similar to John Lennon’s Working Class Hero classic song from years before. Instead, this is Johnny Cash singing about the trials and misfortunes of life. If you ever feel unlucky and out of place, this song is perfect for you to listen to. Johnny Cash delivers a fantastic tune that deserves to be listened to by many. This is lyrical poetry set to acoustic guitar with singing, and sounds deeper, rawer and more emotional than any other listening experience out there. All in all, this sounds really amazing for what it is. The lyrics are fantastic here, another brilliant listen from start to finish.

Oh, Bury Me Not (Introduction: A Cowboy’s Prayer) sounds lighter from the start. It is another awesome Christian centered piece of music that makes sense if you fear God himself. Regardless, even if you are not religious, this works as a real musical treat. A slower, deeper and almost spoken word piece over acoustic guitar strumming. A really straightforward and wonderful listening experience that is very impressive. All in all, a really lively and fantastic listening experience throughout. This was recorded later on in Johnny Cash’s life, and the music and singing present in this song make absolute sense. A really cool tune, it climaxes into a singing section in the second half of the song, and it is sad, melancholic and above all, beautiful. A great song throughout, Johnny Cash delivers a tune that proves he was back in the music scene in a big way. A sad conclusion is here, but the music is so good that it is unforgettable. Great song, yet again.

Bird On A Wire begins with some melodic acoustic guitar playing, and Johnny Cash sings about comparing a bird on a wire to life’s difficulties. A really moving listen, even for its simplicity, Johnny Cash proves he was unbeatable at making the sort of music he did. This is reflective, beautiful and rather unhappy sounding. The negativity here is a slight flaw, but (given the context) before this album was released, Johnny Cash had almost run out of luck. An interesting, listenable and moving tune that appeals to many out there, even non-Country Music fans, it works splendidly well. This music is tearjerker stuff, it is lonesome cowboy music for those based in the Wild West. This sounds really thoroughly amazing from start to finish. Johnny Cash sounds like someone who is really emotionally not coping well at all with the happiness or pleasantries of life. Another awesome tune that runs for four minutes in length, and is worth your ears. The conclusion is dramatic.

Tennessee Stud begins with some excellent acoustic guitar and has Johnny Cash singing and playing to an audience. Johnny Cash sings really well here, and he articulates his unique and wonderful poetry set to music. All in all, a really fine, fantastic and slightly amusing piece of music. This sounds amazing. Indeed, Johnny Cash could sing, play and perform wonderfully. This album proves that when music is stripped down and played on its own without electronic production, it works a treat. Definitely worth hearing for the humour and performance, at points this will certainly make you laugh. A really unique piece of music, this is an eye-opener piece of music. The audience claps and cheers nicely at the end, our main man Johnny Cash deserves it all the way.

Down There By The Train is a longish piece for this album at over five minutes in length. Johnny Cash, again, sings and plays excellently on this tune. He eventually breaks into a moving and very melodic tune with some really excellent singing throughout. All in all, this is excellent music, without question. Johnny Cash sings about the process of finding forgiveness from God and other interesting events ongoing near the train line. Johnny Cash sings so sweetly and melodically here, and he does great justice in this style of music. Towards the middle of the song, Johnny Cash hits some higher notes and sings very well indeed. To be fair, this is a huge step forward in the right direction for Johnny Cash back in 1994. A wonderful, interesting and fairly literal song about regrets and despair. Still, this works a treat. An inspired and very listenable tune, this music is unique in its own way. A fantastic tune to hear, this is dramatic but top listening. Towards the end, Johnny Cash sings and plays in an intense way, giving this emotional song all that it has. Fantastic music from start to finish.

Redemption begins with some more Working Class Hero styled chords and quickly launches into a really deep and religious song about the original sin of being alive. Indeed, this is another amazing tune that particularly makes sense if you ever have read the Bible. In any case, this tells the story of Adam & Eve, set to music. A fantastic listening experience that details this important story. Johnny Cash bares his soul on this music, and he gives 100% to those listening about the Jewish/Christian story that still has historical relevance, to this very day. You don’t need to accept Jesus to hear this music and appreciate it, either. Great song.

Like A Soldier sounds like Nick Drake from the start. Johnny Cash sings deeply, once again, very bittersweetly. He sounds like he has literally experienced these poetic stories he has played here. Still, this is another exciting and inspiring listening from the first listen, to many repeat listens afterward. A really interesting tune, this sounds very lovely and straightforward music, although the story itself is very bleak. Nonetheless, a quintessential listening experience that will move you. Another thrilling listen.

The Man Who Couldn’t Cry is the last song here at over five minutes long. It begins with more excellent guitar playing and Johnny Cash is back with the live audience again. Both Johnny Cash and the audience are part of musical history on this tune. All in all, Johnny Cash sings about a man who cannot shed tears, despite the misfortunes that a man can experience. There is a touch of humour on this one as well, showcasing a better side of USA styled humour than usual. Regardless, Johnny Cash proves himself to be a great performer and he reveals a lighter side to misfortune that life can bring. A really fine listen, Johnny Cash showcases a live talent that many musicians simply could not match. That’s how good this music is, it doesn’t require overdubs, editing or electronics. It’s just Johnny Cash here, and him alone. Still, he does the stories musically extremely well. A really awesome listen with some funny one-liners here. Very much near perfect, this sounds awesome. In the end, justice is delivered for the main character, followed by a load of applause and cheering. Fantastic.

This is one of the best, listenable and greatest albums of all time. Without question. Johnny Cash and Rick Rubin worked extremely well on this album. All in all, even if you are not a fan of Country Music, this is exactly where you need to go if you want to hear poetry set to music, with just vocals and acoustic guitar. Yes, absolutely you should hear this. Johnny Cash deserves his spotlight of fame here, and he never looked back.

Absolutely life-changing and outstanding.

9/10