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Unearthed is an acclaimed box set by Johnny Cash, released two months after his death in 2003. It was produced by Rick Rubin and released by American Recordings. The first three discs feature outtakes and alternate versions of songs recorded for American Recordings, Unchained, American III: Solitary Man and American IV: The Man Comes Around. The fourth disc, My Mother's Hymn Book features gospel songs Cash first learned from his mother as a child. The final disc is a best of distillation of the first four American albums. It was certified Gold on 12/2/2004 by the RIAA.
Disc 1 – Who's Gonna Cry
This disc features acoustic solo recordings in the same style as American Recordings. The song selection leans toward songs from Cash's back catalog, as noted below each song. Total running time: 51:13
Disc 2 – Trouble in Mind
This disc feels more like Unchained. Most of the performances are electric, have a lighthearted feel, and feature Cash backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Red Devils, or his extended family. This CD features many covers of songs Cash had not previously recorded. Total running time: 52:10
Disc 3 – Redemption Songs
Like Solitary Man and The Man Comes Around, this disc is mostly acoustic, though Cash is backed by a full band on most songs. Like the second disc, it features several duets. Total running time: 47:58
Disc 4 – My Mother's Hymn Book
My Mother's Hymn Book is a collection of Christian spiritual songs and hymns that Cash originally learned from his mother while growing up. The album features only Cash's voice and a single acoustic guitar. This disc was released as a stand alone disc the following year (his 89th overall album) under the same title, and peaked at #9 on the Christian music album chart. In the album's liner notes Cash mentions that this is his favorite album he ever made.
This is not Cash's first album devoted to gospel music and hymns; he has recorded several such albums over his long career, and most of his albums have included at least one song of a spiritual nature. In fact, tracks 6, 9 and 10 were previously recorded for Hymns from the Heart (1962) and tracks 5, 11, 14 and 15 were previously recorded for Sings Precious Memories (1975).
Disc 5 — Best of Cash on American
This disc contains what the producers considered to be some of Cash's finest from his productive time at American Recordings; in essence, it is a "best of" compilation from the four albums he released under the label before passing away in 2003. Total running time: 52:14
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