In comparison, the outlaws and prisoners in Cash's songs are men who have done wrong, but are men nonetheless. In addition, Cash put his money where his mouth was and performed numerous free shows at prisons during his career. Two of his most appealing and popular albums were live concerts from prisons. Modern audiences listening to these recently re-released albums can still hear the intensity of his performances and feel the strong connection he forged with his audiences. That's pretty hard to do.
Cash also offers a non-judgmental embrace of religion that few other modern musicians muster.
These tracks fit comfortably with the songs that surround them because of the sense of tradition Cash brings to the songs and their focus on declarations of personal faith rather than conversion of non-believers. Cash's persona as a sinner who reaches for salvation but knows his own weaknesses makes it easy to listen to his songs of devotion. He offers his songs of faith for people to take or leave but doesn't push listeners to accept his perspective or blame them if they don't. Cash conveys a sense of yearning and unjudgmental belief that is very appealing in a culture where globalization and mass media uproot tradition, family, and faith. It's a world that needs Cash, and he hasn't abandoned us yet.