Rosanne Cash's The List Revives Father's Favorites
When Johnny Cash gave his 18-year-old daughter Rosanne Cash a list of 100 handpicked songs, it wasn't just any list. This was the "100 Essential Country Songs" that he wanted her to study, to grasp and to understand. He wanted her to capture the soul and the depth and to recognize the beauty within each song. His list was comprised of timeless classics by artists like Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Merle Haggard and even many of his own. "Can you imagine America without this music?" she recently asked the Associated Press. "It's who we are, culturally. It's as important as the Civil War, these songs. Personally I would hate to see them become something you just visit at a museum. I think they are living and breathing and part of our cultural legacy."
Released on Tuesday (Oct. 6), The List features special vocals by Bruce Springsteen, Elvis Costello, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy and Rufus Wainwright. Though all noteworthy pieces, here are a few of my preferred picks from the album:
"Sea of Heartbreak" -- The Boss joins her to remake this Don Gibson classic. You can feel the sorrow and the sadness as their two voices intertwine to revive this legendary work of art.
"500 Miles" -- This is by far my favorite song on the album. Her voice is not only believable but quite pleasing. As I listen, I can't help but wait for the train to begin whistling in the distance. Bobby Bare took this lonesome song to a Top 5 hit in 1964.
"Bury Me Under the Weeping Willow" -- Dripping of heartache and anguish, I can't get enough of this gloomy yet beautiful piece. Rosanne carefully restores this Carter Family tune with each heartbreaking note.
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Chris D. says:
Great album- I especially like the special iTunes track “Satisfied Mind” that features Neko Case. Just fantastic!
Sunkie says:
Whitney your blogs simply renew my faith in country music. You bring such a warmth and compassion for the music that is apparently something that you love which is felt from the heart. I plan on going out an buying this cd simply because you make me too want to hear some of the greatest songs in country music. Now, this is powerful stuff.
Jay Maille says:
If Johnny says it’s great, he was right,period. Besides being an exceptional writer and performer himself, I always found he had that special gift of discriminating and excellent taste. Like Sinatra did in another genre.