Rick Rubin

Producer who expanded Cash's sound with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers on Unchained.

jasontheexploder at https://www.flickr.com/photos/26251139@N00/ · via Wikipedia: Rick Rubin · CC BY 3.0

Rick Rubin produced Unchained (also known as American II: Unchained), Johnny Cash's 82nd overall album and the second in his American series. Released on November 5, 1996, through Rubin's American Recordings label, this record marked a distinct shift from the minimalist style of the 1994 debut. Instead of just voice and guitar, Cash was backed by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for Unchained. The album earned a Grammy Award for Best Country Album, while Cash received a nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for his rendition of 'Rusty Cage.'

Quick Facts

Birth name

Frederick Jay Rubin

Alias

DJ Double R; The Loudness King

Born

10 March 1963

Birthplace

Long Beach, New York, U.S.

Origin

Hempstead, New York, U.S.

Education

New York University

Genre

Hip-hop
rock
heavy metal
country
pop

Instrument

Guitar; drum machine

Facts from the source article.

Lore & Background

The recording sessions for Unchained took place over a six-month period at Sound City Studios, engineered by Sylvia Massy. Unlike the first American album which featured only voice and guitar, Rubin oversaw a full band arrangement featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. The lineup included guest appearances from country veteran Marty Stuart on additional guitar for more than half the songs, Flea (bassist from Red Hot Chili Peppers) on 'Spiritual,' and Fleetwood Mac members Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood on 'Sea of Heartbreak.' Rubin also produced versions of two older Cash songs: 'Country Boy,' originally from his 1957 debut Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!, and 'Mean Eyed Cat' from the 1960 album Johnny Cash Sings Hank Williams. The production focused heavily on cover songs written by other performers, including tracks by Jude Johnstone, Tom Petty, Spain, Soundgarden, and Beck.

Reader's Guide

To achieve the sound on Unchained, Rubin utilized engineers Sylvia Massy and David R. Ferguson at Sound City Studios. The personnel list reflects the deep collaboration between Cash and Tom Petty's band: Mike Campbell played acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, mandolin, and Dobro; Howie Epstein contributed acoustic guitar and bass; while Benmont Tench handled piano, Hammond organ, Vox Continental organ, harmonium, and Chamberlin. Drumming duties were split between Steve Ferrone (tracks 1–6, 10, 12, 14) and Curt Bisquera (tracks 7–8), with Mick Fleetwood adding percussion on track 2 and Juliet Prater on track 3. The album's art direction and photography were handled by Martyn Atkins and Christine Cano, with mastering completed by Gene Grimaldi and Eddy Schreyer at Oasis Mastering. Rubin's role as producer ensured the integration of these varied talents into a cohesive record that balanced Cash's legacy with fresh musical contributions.

Did You Know?

Cash recorded a cover of Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love' during these sessions, but it remained unreleased.
Cash's version of 'I've Been Everywhere' was used in Choice Hotels commercials from 2003 to 2009.