Johnny Cash - Believe in Him (1986) | Album Review

Johnny Cash - Believe In Him (1986)

Johnny Cash – Believe in Him (1986): Complete Album Guide

Believe in Him is a gospel album by legendary American country singer Johnny Cash, released in 1986 on Word Records. This spiritually themed record showcases Cash’s longtime love of gospel music and features acoustic arrangements of classic gospel songs and heartfelt performances. It is considered the 71st overall album in Cash’s prolific discography and represents a significant transitional moment as his first original‑material album released after leaving Columbia Records.

Originally recorded during 1982 sessions for an unfinished Columbia subsidiary project titled Johnny Cash – Gospel Singer, the tracks remained unreleased until Believe in Him was issued — bringing these powerful gospel performances to the public for the first time.

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📀 Album Overview

• Album Title: Believe in Him

• Artist: Johnny Cash

• Release Date: July 21, 1986 (USA)

• Label: Word Records

• Genre: Gospel, Country Gospel, Southern Gospel

• Producer: Marty Stuart

• Recorded: 1982 (original sessions intended for Columbia)

• Length: Approx. 27:53

The album reflects Cash’s deep spirituality and long personal connection to gospel music — which ran parallel to his country and rockabilly work throughout his career.

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🎵 Tracklist

Here’s the full tracklist from Believe in Him:

1. Believe in Him

2. Another Wide River to Cross

3. God Ain’t No Stained Glass Window

4. Over There

5. The Old Rugged Cross (feat. Jessi Colter)

6. My Children Walk in Truth

7. You’re Driftin’ Away

8. Belshazzar

9. Half a Mile a Day

10. One Of These Days I’m Gonna Sit Down and Talk to Paul

This tracklist blends traditional gospel staples with timeless spiritual songs and thoughtful interpretations by Cash.

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🎸 Album Credits & Personnel

Believe in Him features a roster of accomplished musicians and collaborators from Nashville’s music scene who helped shape the album’s warm, rootsy sound.

Lead Artist:

• Johnny Cash – lead vocals, guitar

Production:

• Producer: Marty Stuart

Musicians / Session Players:

• Bob Wootton – guitar

• Earl “Poole” Ball – piano

• Hargus “Pig” Robbins – piano

• Bob Whitlock – organ, synthesizer

• David Briggs – organ, synthesizer

• Jack Grochmal – pump organ, engineer

• W.S. Holland – drums

• Kenny Malone – drums

• Jimmy Tittle, Bob Wray, Roy Huskey Jr., T. Michael Coleman, Joe Allen – bass

• Pete Drake – steel guitar

Guest Vocalists:

• The Cathedral Quartet – background vocals

• Jessi Colter – featured vocals on The Old Rugged Cross

String Arrangements:

• Mike Leech

This blend of session musicians and guest vocalists helped bring depth and reverence to the album’s gospel atmosphere.

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🎉 Fun Facts & Trivia

🎵 Delayed Release:
Though recorded in the early 1980s for a Columbia Records project called Gospel Singer, the album was shelved when Priority Records was shut down by parent company CBS, and it wasn’t released until 1986 on Word Records as Believe in Him.

⛪ Gospel Tradition:
The album continues Cash’s lifelong engagement with gospel music — a genre he repeatedly revisited throughout his career. Songs like Another Wide River to Cross and The Old Rugged Cross reflect his deep spiritual roots and personal faith.

🎙️ Guest Voices:
The inclusion of The Cathedral Quartet on backing vocals adds a classic Southern gospel harmony texture that complements Cash’s earthy baritone voice.

👩‍🎤 Collaboration with Jessi Colter:
Country artist Jessi Colter provides featured vocals on The Old Rugged Cross, adding a warm duet dynamic to the traditional hymn.

📀 Later CD Release:
In 2012, the material from Believe in Him was reissued on CD as part of Bootleg Vol. IV: The Soul of Truth, reflecting the album’s original planned sequence along with previously unreleased outtakes from the 1982 sessions.

🎹 Producer Marty Stuart:
Future country legend Marty Stuart produced the album and also contributed guitar and mandolin — blending traditional craftsmanship with Cash’s gospel sensibility. 

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