"Unearthed"

As I got ready to write this review I thought about what words to use to describe this box set. I thought about using "Great", "Good" "Awesome" "Outstanding"

While "Unearthed" is deserving of  those words and a few more of the more average buzz words,  they didn't quite sum up the music that is contained on it  so I narrowed it down to these. Soulful, Masterful, Brilliant,  Skillful, it's 5 cd's 4 of unused songs and one of the best of his work on the "American Label" The title "Unearthed" fits this box set like a glove. While I listened to it I felt like I was in a diamond mine searching for those elusive  hard to find rare gems, I didn't have to look hard because this entire set is brilliant.

  Johnny's seasoned baritone/bass voice has never sounded so soulful. It's evident he was recording & writing some of his best music of his long career. Many of the songs are just Johnny and a guitar. His  skillful writing on this set are in his true style. "No gee what a prefect life we have, oh how I love you etc" that is clogging up and watering down the "country" music of today. It's just hard edged, tough love, gets you to thinking, style of  country music.

One listen to an early take of "The Man Comes Around" Which speak of the day Jesus comes back should make you think about your own life, and how you will fair.  The track is arranged musically like he recorded it with the Tennessee Two. He does covers of many of the old time standards. With a version of  "T For Texas" that would make  Jimmie Rodgers proud. I couldn't wait to hear his take of the George Jones classic "He Stopped Loving Her Today" I knew if there was any other singer who could make that song their own it would be him and he does.  To be completely  honest any song he sings he makes his own.

 His version of the Merle Haggard song "The Running Kind"  a duet with Marty Stuart and Tom Petty & the Heartbreak's shines   I can't forget to mention more of the duets.  Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, Carl Perkins, Nick Cave, Fiona Apple, Joe Strummer.  So far I've only talked about the first 3 discs. The mentioned songs are only a tiny bit of the highlights on them. You will find more gems  to "Unearth" for yourself.  The 4th disc gospel classics and is  truly Masterful  Johnny's gives them his special treatment as only he can. There is just something about Johnny singing "In The Garden" that will paint a vivid picture of him walking with God.

 The 5th and final disc is the best of the American  recordings. It opens with the hard edged, tough love themed "Delia Gone" another gleaming example of Johnny's writing style while   it's a re-recording of  an early hit of his he once again  breath's new life into it.  Other highlights  "Hung My Head", "The Man Comes Around" (this was the one that was on American IV)  If there ever was a song suited to a voice it's "Wayfaring Stranger" and Johnny just nails this song. The set closes out with "Hurt"  I've read that there are even more unheard sessions he recorded for Rick Rubin's label. This gives us Cash fans more to look forward to when we will go searching for those true gems that will no doubt sparkle.