Description

American II: Unchained, is the second album in Johnny Cash's American Recordings series (and his 82nd overall). Like all Cash's albums for American, Unchained was produced by Rick Rubin. In contrast to the first American Recordings album – on which Cash played alone – he is backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. There are guest appearances by Flea, bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers, on "Spiritual"; and by Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood, both of Fleetwood Mac, on "Sea of Heartbreak".

Unchained focuses on covers. In addition to three of Cash's own compositions, Unchained contained songs by Jude Johnstone ("Unchained"), Tom Petty ("Southern Accents"), Josh Haden ("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, and remakes of two songs Cash recorded early in his career for Sun Records: "Country Boy" and "Mean Eyed Cat".

Unchained received a Grammy for Best Country Album and Cash was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performancefor his version of "Rusty Cage".

- 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl - Includes A Voucher To Download MP3 Version Of The Album - with printed innersleeve