When SILVER first came out, it was significant in that Cash was collaborating with some of the hottest writers and musicians of the time.
It also marked his first recording of ˝(Ghost) Riders in the Sky˝ and a hot, acoustic-driven studio version of ˝Cocaine Blues˝ (still a risky topic for a post-outlaw country album).
Still, as much as I admire Brian Ahern’s production of Emmylou Harris albums, I prefer the more spare production that Rick Rubin has given Cash’s more recent efforts.
The rugged integrity of Cash’s performance, in my opinion, does not benefit from the polish of Ahern’s production.