Uber-producer Rick Rubin is getting high marks these days (once again) for his newest offering from the late, great Johnny Cash. Mr. Rubin – who in the past has produced everyone from Run-DMC and Aerosmith to the Red Hot Chili Peppers to Public Enemy and the Beastie Boys—has come out with the sixth and final recording in the “American Recordings” series by Cash, “Ain’t No Grave.”
“To me, [the themes on] this album are more of rebirth, letting go of the past, and new beginnings,” said Mr. Rubin, 46. “We recorded in the neighborhood of 60 songs since `American IV.’
“He recorded his parts first and the production wasn’t developed until much later. This was not unusual, as we worked on the previous couple of albums this way when he was still with us. … We became close friends and I felt very privileged to spend so much time in his company.”
Mr. Rubin’s favorite Johnny Cash song of all time? No, it’s not “A Boy Named Sue.”
“I like lots of them,” Mr. Rubin said. “First one that comes to mind is `Big River.’” (One of our faves, too.)
Hopefully, Rick will find a few more tracks in the vault from the Man In Black. You never know.


