Album: Bitter Tears

Introduction
"Bitter Tears: Ballads of the American Indian" is a concept album released in 1964 by American country music icon Johnny Cash. Produced by Don Law and Frank Jones, the album is an effective statement about the injustice and struggles dealt with by Native Americans, highlighting their history, culture, and durability. It was an uncommon and dangerous relocation for Cash at the time, as it brought attention to a controversial and mostly ignored issue in America. The album, nevertheless, has actually gone on to end up being a timeless, both for its music and its message of social justice.

Background and Inspiration
In the early 1960s, Cash had found great success with his previous principle albums like "Ride This Train" and "Blood, Sweat and Tears". His career was facing a renewal, and he decided to utilize his star power to highlight an issue that had actually personally touched him. Cash had constantly had an interest in the history and predicament of Native Americans, partially due to his beliefs that he had Cherokee origins.

The idea for "Bitter Tears" was sparked after Cash checked out the book "Custer Died For Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto" by Native American author and activist Vine Deloria Jr. Inspired by this, Cash set out to produce an album that would offer a voice to the often-silenced Native American population.

Tracklisting and Themes
1. As Long as the Grass Shall Grow
2. Apache Tears
3. Custer
4. The Talking Leaves
5. The Ballad of Ira Hayes
6. Drums
7. White Girl
8. The Vanishing Race

These songs contain effective and psychological storytelling which shows the challenge and injustices faced by Native Americans such as land displacement, damaged treaties, and required assimilation. A few of the tracks directly reference historical events, like the damaged treaties in "As Long as the Grass Shall Grow", or the story of Ira Hayes, a Pima Native American who served in World War II and helped raise the flag at Iwo Jima, only to die a terrible and overlooked death upon returning house.

Effect and Reception
Upon its release, "Bitter Tears" received mixed reviews from critics. Some applauded Cash's groundbreaking subject matter and efficient storytelling, while others felt it was extremely political or too far removed from his previous works. Commercially, the album at first did not fare well, reaching just number 47 on the Billboard Top LPs chart.

Nevertheless, "The Ballad of Ira Hayes" ended up being a hit single, reaching number three on the Billboard Country Singles chart. Money took the tune's success as an opportunity to promote Native American rights, even performing the song at the White House in 1964 for then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

In spite of the album's initially mixed reception, "Bitter Tears" has given that ended up being recognized as an important work in Cash's profession and American music history, praised for its daring topic and masterful storytelling. It is likewise credited with helping to power a renewed interest in Native American issues throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Legacy and Influence
"Bitter Tears" stands as a testament to Cash's commitment to social justice and his adaptability as an artist. Later in his career, he would continue to attend to topical issues like prison reform, war, and economic inequality in his music. In 2014, fifty years after the album's release, different artists, including Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, and Steve Earle, took part in a homage album titled "Look Again to the Wind: Johnny Cash's Bitter Tears Revisited", which reinterprets and commemorates the songs from the initial album. This tribute album works as a pointer of the enduring impact and importance of "Bitter Tears" and its message of empathy and justice for Native Americans.