Trying to review a recording by Johnny Cash in 2012 is a bit like trying to review the Mona Lisa. The Soul of Truth is more of a historical document than an album, and it’s a fascinating one. It’s a collection of more than 50 gospel tracks that Cash recorded throughout his career. The style and quality of the recordings vary widely throughout – from the Chuck Berry style rockabilly of Gospel Boogie through to the almost Eagles-ish “I’m Just An Old Chunk Of Coal.” 

The music in this collection is frequently gorgeous, whether it’s the honky-tonk piano, the trebly Telecasters or the very country acoustic guitar hoedowns. I wouldn’t call this a worship album, however, and theologically it really is all over the place. (It’s particularly amusing to hear Jesus called “The Greatest Cowboy of Them All”). 

But I don’t think that’s the point. The Soul Of Truth really is more like the spiritual journal of a man who had his share of personal demons, but who always found his true north in the Christian faith.

Four and a half stars out of five