Reviewed by Dave Brassington

The 15 tracks on this album represent some of the final recordings from the great Johnny Cash, who was by then unable to perform in public. They are all pulled from hymns found in Johnny's mother's hymn book. Johnny had previously recorded several of these songs over the years, in some cases with orchestral accompaniment, but the simple guitar backing makes these very familiar songs sound attractive and almost new! What is really surprising is how good his voice sounds bearing in mind his weak physical state at the time. The opening track "Where We'll Never Grow Old" gets the album off to a poignant start. We then get fine renditions of many familiar tunes including "I Am A Pilgrim", "If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven", "I'm Bound For The Promised Land" and my particular favourite "In The Garden". Included are some very interesting album sleevenotes. As a life long Johnny Cash fan I found the album intensely moving and very reassuring that for his final recordings he should have been given the strength to make such wonderful music in praise of our Lord. I look forward to meeting him "In The Sweet Bye And Bye" as per one of the songs on this memorable album!

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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