Piece Comment

Review of Johnny Cash: Amazing Grace


This feature is an exploration of the influence of Christian faith on the life and music of Johnny Cash. The story is told chronologically, beginning with his mother?s love of gospel music, and how faith helped Cash heal after the loss of his older brother, then how religion saved Cash from the demons of drug abuse. Friends, fellow musicians, and even Cash?s son John Carter Cash give first-hand accounts from the country legend?s life. Reporter Rodney Crowell has a nice delivery and builds a nice overall narrative, although there are spots in the piece that lose momentum. It?s refreshing to hear songs in their entirety instead of in 30-second fade-ups, but there are a few songs in the middle of the piece that are similar to each other. While Cash?s repertoire of gospel songs might not be what he?s best known for, this piece helps me understand what made him tick, as a musician and as a human being.