Introduction
"Press On" is the 2nd and final solo studio album by American country singer and songwriter June Carter Cash. Launched in 2003, the album came almost 25 years after her very first solo effort, "Appalachian Pride". "Press On" acts as a fitting goodbye from June, who died in May the very same year the album was released. The album consists of 14 tracks and showcases her unbelievable skill as a vocalist, songwriter, and storyteller.
Background
June Carter Cash came from a popular musical household, The Carter Family, and started carrying out with them at a young age prior to ending up being an effective solo artist and an important part of her partner Johnny Cash's profession. The "Press On" job was started after June's hubby Johnny motivated her to tape-record a brand-new album, which would eventually result in this last work of art. "Press On" received vital acclaim from many music critics, making June her first-ever Grammy Award for "Best Traditional Folk Album" in 2000.
Recording and Production
"Press On" was tape-recorded and produced in Johnny Cash's house studio, The Cash Cabin, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The production includes Johnny as the executive manufacturer and the legendary manufacturer Cowboy Jack Clement as a guest artist. The album is a stripped-down, intimate, and raw recording that showcases June's distinct voice and storytelling abilities. It is a genuine work that highlights the honest emotion and timelessness of her songs, which are rooted in gospel and folk traditions.
Track Highlights and Themes
The album includes 14 tracks, a mix of original compositions, covers, and traditional tunes. Amongst the initial tunes, "Ring of Fire" stands as one of the most well-known tracks. June co-wrote the song with Merle Kilgore and had actually formerly given it to her other half Johnny Cash, who turned it into a famous hit. In "Press On", June uses her own interpretation of the tune, providing it a fresh and special sound.
Another impressive track from the album is "Losin' You", a song where June shows her remarkable ability to touch hearts with her real feeling and vulnerability. The tune is a psychological reflection on love, loss, and the faith needed to overcome challenging times.
"Press On" also consists of a dazzling performance of the popular spiritual hymn "The Far Side Banks of Jordan", with June and Johnny carrying out together in perfect harmony. Their apparent love and devotion shine through in their enthusiastic delivery of words, which express their hope of reuniting in the afterlife.
The whole album is essentially a tribute to June's remarkable and prominent profession. Each song narrates filled with raw, traditional American worths, while covering topics such as love, loss, and misery.
Tradition and Influence
"Press On" stands as a testament to June Carter Cash's talent, durability, and impact on American music. It functions as a fitting last chapter in the story of her life, earning her a well-deserved Grammy Award while doing so. The album continues to inspire generations of musicians, showing that conventional folk and country music can be classic and strongly resonant. While "Press On" may have been the swan song for June Carter Cash, her legacy and influence withstand to this day, with her unequaled musical contributions residing on in the hearts of millions of fans and admirers worldwide.
Artist: June Carter Cash
June Carter Cash, member of the iconic Carter Family; singer, songwriter, actress, and wife of Johnny Cash. Discover her legacy, quotes & more.
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