Renowned singer-songwriter and producer John Carter Cash unveils his long-awaited full-length album, Pineapple John, released digitally via Avondale Records and distributed through The Orchard.
With a slight hat-tip to Jimmy Buffett, Pineapple John is a thematic album that unfolds like a film, with its own narrative arc about a fictional beach bum who loved and lost and then fell into obscurity. Produced by John Carter Cash and Trey Call, the album follows the story of a weathered troubadour navigating redemption, reflection, and the healing power of imagination.
Cash explained, "I've written a story around it. It's a journey, but in my mind, it's a character."
Inspiration for this record came from Cash spending much of his childhood on the ocean aboard his dad's boat in Tampa and at their family compound, Cinnamon Hill, in St. James Parish, Jamaica.
Cash started writing the story and songs in May of 2020 during the pandemic. The title track, "Pineapple John," was written alongside his son, Jack.
He stated, "[This record] was a healing for me. It truly was to work on the music for this album, and to get back into the studio and to get back into making music after the coronavirus had been there for probably three or four months."
One of the fascinating parts of this album to me is that Cash included three covers of revered island musicians whose songs fit seamlessly in the Pineapple John narrative that he created.
Featuring 15 tracks, Pineapple John showcases performances from some of country music's most talented artists. Marty Stuart plays electric guitar on "The Island Fair," while Clare Bowen lends her voice as a background vocalist on both "The Hole In The Bottom of the Sea" and "The Island Fair." Ana Cristina Cash and Caitlin Evanson lend background vocals throughout various tracks on the record. Brandon Young, co-writer on "The Ocean Calling", also contributes background vocals on "Pineapple John" among other songs. John Carter's daughter, A.B. Cash, joins her father on "Beckoning Melody." "The Hole in the Bottom of the Sea" (featuring vocals by John's nephew, Thomas Gabriel) and other collaborations contribute to the album's depth, with each artist adding their unique touch to the tale.
We are introduced to Pineapple John in the spoken prelude, "Nekid Man," narrated by Damon Fielder. It is the perfect segue for the rest of the record.
The upbeat title track immediately takes you to the laid-back life of living on the water. As you hear the steel drum and island guitars, you’ll be jealous of Pineapple John's easy-going lifestyle.
"Sleeping With The Mermaids" is one of the tracks that was released earlier this year. The calypso-inspired tune chants that "The Island's a-breeze, the fish don't bite, and the liquor is free." The purpose of the tongue-in-cheek song is to have fun.
"Uncle Ben, The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea" is a ballad that sounds like it's been around for years, but Cash and his pals wrote it. Another ballad on this album is "The Ballad of Spider John," a song made famous by cult favorite Willis Alan Ramsey in the 1970s. It fits perfectly in the narrative of the record.
With songs like "Man Will Pray," Pineapple John conveys an undertone of a religious experience. Cash agreed, "I think my character is redeemed in lots of ways, and he is eternally going to be chasing something and be dissatisfied at the same time. But I think he has found his redemption, and by the end of the album, his redemption comes full circle." The song "The Hole In The Bottom Of The Sea" is also an insightful track.
Though it sounds like an old cover, "Soon Come" is a Caribbean rum-drinking song that Cash composed himself. But one of my favorite songs on the record is the calypso island song "Shame and Scandal," written by Lord Melody in the 1960s. It is one of the most cleverly written songs I have ever come across.
Cash stated, "I won't ever forget the first time I heard it. I had been out in the ocean in Bimini (Bahamas) with my dad, and we came back and went to a restaurant where someone in the bar was singing that song. I was probably 13 or 14 years old."
Another cover on the album is "Jamaica Farewell," penned by the renowned Irving Burgie, aka Lord Burgess. It may be the one song you have heard before.
A tinkling piano introduces the rare phenomenon of "Snow On The Sand." The track pairs poignant lyrics with evocative production that mirrors the warmth of the sand against the lingering chill of a past left behind.
Cash's daughter Anna Belle (AB) wrote the lyrics for "Beckoning Melody," a song about finding your way back home.
Sons Joseph and Jack Ezra also contributed immensely to the album. "They were the people I was hanging out with," Cash proudly stated. "They just happened to be my kids, but they are very talented."
Marty Stuart plays Cash's Les Paul electric guitar on "Man Will Pray" and the "Man Will Pray Slight (Reprise)." The song is about a man who remembers to pray when the going gets tough, but often neglects God otherwise. It is one of Cash's favorite songs on record. He also likes the reflective "The Hole In the Bottom Of The Sea."
The album concludes with the seven-minute medley of "The Island Fair/Captain Jim's Drunken Dream/Carry On." The song is a reminder that there is a little bit of Pineapple John in all of us.
One of the things that makes this record so unique and interesting is the abundant use of vintage percussive instruments, such as the Wurlitzer electric piano, Djembe, Pan Drum, Clave, Cabasa, Güiro, and tambourine, to name a few.
Cash explained, "The album is anti-2025, and I'm proud of that. People will watch a movie for two and a half hours or read a book, and they're not visually seeing it. There's something sorely missing because people rarely sit and listen to music while holding the album in their hand and looking at the artwork."
"Pineapple John isn't just a record - it's a journey through the heart and spirit of a man who's lived, lost, and learned to love again," shared John Carter Cash. Each song is a chapter in his story, but it also reflects my own search for meaning and peace. I wanted to make something that feels alive. Something that moves the listener the same way it moved me to create it."
"The whole album reflects life's struggles and triumphs, and I can't wait to share it with the world," he exclaimed.
You can follow John Carter Cash on his website, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and all streaming services..
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Bethany Bowman is a freelance entertainment writer. You can follow her blog, Instagram, and X.
Pineapple John Track List:
1. “Nekid Man (Pineapple John Prelude)” – John Carter Cash, Damon Fielder
2. “Pineapple John” – John Carter Cash, Jack Ezra Cash
3. “Sleeping with The Mermaids” – John Carter Cash, Jack Ezra Cash
4. “Uncle Ben The Devil and The Deep Blue Sea” – John Carter Cash, Jon Vaughn, Dave Daeger
5. “The Ballard of Spider John” – Willis Alan Ramsey
6. “Man Will Pray” – John Carter Cash
7. “The Hole In the Bottom of The Sea” – John Carter Cash, Thomas Gabriel
8. “Soon Come” – John Carter Cash
9. “Shame and Scandal” – Lord Melody
10. “Jamaica Farewell” – Irving Burgie
11. “Snow On The Sand” – John Carter Cash
12. “Beckoning Melody” – John Carter Cash, Anna Belle Cash
13. “Man Will Pray Slight Reprise” – John Carter Cash
14. “The Ocean Calling” – John Carter Cash, Brandon Robert Young
15. “The Island Fair/Captain Jim’s Drunken Dream/Carry On” – John Carter Cash, Joseph Cash
