Johnny 99
Although it went virtually unnoticed upon its initial release in 1983, this intriguing record momentarily put a halt to Johnny Cash's precipitous artistic decline and kept the promise of his resurgence alive. Recorded in Los Angeles with session men including Marty Stuart, Norton Buffalo, Jo-El Sonnier, and producer Brian Ahern,Johnny 99focuses on the work of younger songwriters--Bruce Springsteen, Paul Kennerley, Guy Clark--and might be the lone oasis in an otherwise barren decade. The solemn opener, Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman," sets the tone as Cash turns a very restrained reading into an emotional powerhouse, supported by Hoyt Axton's baritone growl. The Springsteen-penned title track becomes a honky-tonk anthem as Cash delivers the Boss's lyrics with acute understanding. The touching Civil War ballad "God Bless Robert E. Lee," the tropical/topical "Joshua Gone Barbados," and the attractive duet with June Carter on Kennerley's "Brand New Dance" help round out a rather diverse (for Cash) collection. Aside from the occasional guitar effect and unnecessary keyboard intrusion (it was 1983 after all), this set marks a high point of a low period.--Marc Greilsamer