30 years ago today (4/26/94), Johnny Cash released American Recordings – his 81st album. In the early 1990s, Cash found himself without a record deal and struggling to find relevance in the rapidly changing music landscape. It was during this time that he was introduced to producer Rick Rubin. Recorded In Rubin’s living room with just Cash and his guitar, American Recordings featured a mix of covers and original songs showcasing Cash’s distinctive baritone. The success of American Recordings revitalized Cash’s career and set the stage for a series of albums under the same moniker. Over the next decade, Cash and Rubin would release six albums in the series, each exploring different themes and musical styles while maintaining the raw, intimate quality that defined the project. Check out Cash covering Leonard Cohen’s “Bird On A Wire.”
