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."
| Unchained | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 5, 1996 | |||
| Recorded | 1995–1996 | |||
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 41:11 | |||
| Label | American | |||
| Producer | Rick Rubin | |||
| Johnny Cash chronology | ||||
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| American series chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Unchained | ||||
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| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    link |
| Robert Christgau |  link |
Background edit
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".[1]
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.[2]
The album was recorded over a six-month period with engineer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios.
Previous recordings edit
Two songs on the album had previously been recorded by Cash.
- Cash previously recorded "Country Boy" for his 1957 album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!
- Cash previously recorded "Mean Eyed Cat" his 1960 album Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams.
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rowboat" (Beck cover) | Beck | 3:44 |
| 2. | "Sea of Heartbreak" (Don Gibson cover) | Paul Hampton, Hal David | 2:42 |
| 3. | "Rusty Cage" (Soundgarden cover) | Chris Cornell | 2:49 |
| 4. | "The One Rose (That's Left in My Heart)" (Jimmie Rodgers cover) | Del Lyon, Lani McIntire | 2:26 |
| 5. | "Country Boy" | Johnny Cash | 2:31 |
| 6. | "Memories Are Made of This" (Dean Martin cover) | Richard Dehr, Terry Gilkyson, Frank Miller | 2:19 |
| 7. | "Spiritual" (Spain cover) | Josh Haden | 5:06 |
| 8. | "The Kneeling Drunkard's Plea" (The Carter Sisters cover) | Maybelle Carter, Anita Carter, Helen Carter, June Carter Cash | 2:32 |
| 9. | "Southern Accents" (Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers cover) | Tom Petty | 4:41 |
| 10. | "Mean Eyed Cat" | Cash | 2:33 |
| 11. | "Meet Me in Heaven" | Cash | 3:21 |
| 12. | "I Never Picked Cotton" (Roy Clark cover) | Bobby George, Charles Williams | 2:39 |
| 13. | "Unchained" (Jude Johnstone cover) | Jude Johnstone | 2:51 |
| 14. | "I've Been Everywhere" (Lucky Starr cover) | Geoff Mack | 3:16 |
Personnel edit
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 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 edit
Album - Billboard (United States)
| Chart (1996) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Billboard 200 | 170 |
| Top Country Albums | 26 |
Certifications edit
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United States | — | 221,000[3] |