The Holy Land

The 1969 release The Holy Land is an unusual entry in Johnny Cash’s catalog. Accompanied by his new bride June Carter, the Man in Black visited sacred sites in Israel and recorded his narrative comments along the way. Cash’s historical insights and personal remarks link a series of (mostly) self-composed songs that touch on biblical themes and larger statements of belief. Tracks like “Nazarene,” “He Turned the Water into Wine,” and “Come to the Wailing Wall” blend Southern gospel quartet and African-American spiritual elements into a pleasing whole, spurred on by Carl Perkins’ signature guitar licks. “The Ten Commandments” is lifted up by a sweeping string-and-brass arrangement, while “The Fourth Man” gives Cash room to cut loose on a rousing Old Testament story. The most famous tune here (deservedly so) is the Perkins-composed “Daddy Sang Bass,” a joyful celebration of family and faith matching Cash’s deep tones with the voices of June Carter and the Stadler Brothers. The Holy Land closes with “God Is Not Dead,” an acoustic-centered tune that captures Johnny at his most awe-filled and inspirational.