Search - Joanne Cash :: Gospel

...truly a spiritual and musical experience you won't want t

Carol Kurtz Darlington | 09/27/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Part of being a Johnny Cash fan is loving his family, as he is inexorably intertwined with it. But Joanne Cash deserves fans of her own. In this, her twenty-eighth recording project, Joanne tells her story of faith, family, triumphs, and tribulations. But faith in her Savior is the sustaining note throughout. "I don't think we have much time left before Christ comes again, and I want to be everything I can be for Jesus," Joanne says. "I've seen so many people try and build their kingdom in music, but I don't worry about any of that earthly gain. When you let God do it, that's when the real effectiveness happens."



A true Gospel record, as its name implies, Joanne has the perfect voice (like a younger Dottie Rambo) for old favorites like "It is Well with My Soul" and "I've God Jesus" (featuring Bill Nash). She also treats us to home spun songs that tell us stories of the Cash family's history and heritage. In "Glory, Glory" she sings about her childhood and her brother Jack, and we can feel that it's a happy memory. The song is cheerful, crisp and clear, the way country used to be. The picking, the slides, and the upbeat rhythm in many of the songs will have you tapping your feet and smiling. You get that Joanne is the product of a family rich in faith and love, making her what she is today.



Johnny Cash may have gone on to heaven, but he makes a few appearances in Gospel. "Meet Me in Heaven" (a poignant title, considering the fact that Johnny is already there) begins with an older Johnny Cash telling the story of the joyful passing of their father. He talks casually in "When He Comes" about his experience visiting Jerusalem. When the two siblings sing together, we almost feel like God has let Johnny come back for a brief visit. Their voices mingle and blend like two similar instruments.



But the crowning jewel of the cd is the bluegrass favorite "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". No matter how many versions of this you've heard, this one shines. Every bit as good as the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's collaboration from the 70's (sung by Johnny Cash's mother-in-law, Mother Maybelle Carter), this Cash has the tone of voice this classic needs. As if they were made for each other.



There's a worshipful feel to a few of the cuts, rounding out the album with reverence. It's unfortunate the band behind her isn't given credit, because they are as talented as she. Joanne Cash Gospel is truly a spiritual and musical experience you won't want to miss.



--Reviewed by Carol Kurtz for TitleTrakk"

For Lovers of Traditional Gospel and Country Music

Michael Dalton | Eureka, CA United States | 04/05/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Many people may not know that Johnny Cash has a sister who has 27 recordings, an acclaimed autobiography (My Fears Are Gone) and performs continually in helping to perpetuate the Cash legacy. Gospel by Joanne Cash is an appropriate name for this career-spanning collection of original and gospel songs done in a country music style.



Cash sings like a veteran that is well-suited to this style of music, but the twangy pedal steel sound heard so often makes this less appealing to a broader audience. She could have benefited from the type of production that Rick Rubin gave to Johnny's last recordings, which transcend country music. Some of the music sounds a little dated, like the heavy synthesizer on "When He Comes."



On the plus side, there is a charm to these old hymns and gospel songs that simply present fundamental truths. Among the highlights are duets with her brother on "Lower Lights" and "Softly and Tenderly." "Lower Lights" includes one of two spoken work introductions by Johnny Cash. His voice is a little weak, but it still sounds good on these never before released songs. One of the more outstanding cuts is the Johnny-penned "Meet Me in Heaven," which was one of the last songs that he and Joanne sung together before the passing of Johnny's wife, June Carter Cash.



"Glory, Glory" and "Cotton, Popcorn, Peanuts and Jesus" are autobiographical in nature, the first dealing with brother Jack Cash's death and the second being a reflection on Joanne's simple life growing up. She also does some rousing versions of "I Was There When It Happened" and "I've Got Jesus In My Soul."



Her motives for this release are certainly praiseworthy. "My main purpose in this music is to win the lost and uplift the downtrodden," Cash says of Gospel. "I don't think we have much time left before Christ comes again and I want to be everything I can be for Jesus. I've seen so many people try and build their kingdom in music, but I don't worry about any of that earthly gain. When you let God do it, that's when the real effectiveness happens."



Joanne can stand alone, but Johnny's songwriting and performances add value. This collection will satisfy lovers of traditional gospel and country music.



3.5 stars

"