20 Essential Albums Every Country Music Fan Should Own

10. Johnny Cash - American Recordings

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTT8O_LslzQ Key Tracks: Down There by the Train, Bird on a Wire, Delia's Gone What an incredible comeback American Recordings was for the Man in Black. Cash had long disagreed with his producers over his sound, which the artist favouring a more minimalist, acoustic sound whereas they wanted to dress his songs up with elaborate instrumentation and backing singers. Cash is at his best when it's just him and his guitar and American Recordings proves that. His 81st album (staggering) was produced by Rick Rubin (better known for his hip-hop and heavy metal collaborations) who agreed and let Cash do his own thing, recording the album in the singer's living room. The album came at a point where Cash's career was at the bottom, having gone years without a solid hit. Heavy rotation of new music videos on MTV ensured that he reached a new audience and this album became a success. The American series spawned five more records and saw Cash make songs by the likes of U2, Nine Inch Nails and Tom Petty (amongst others) entirely his own. This is where the magic started.