I was curious to see where Rosanne Cash would go next after the powerhouse one/two punch of 2003's captivating RULES OF TRAVEL and the brilliant BLACK CADILLAC, arguably 2006's Album of the Year. Would she go hillbilly folk? Revisit the Californis Rock roots of her teens? Go techno or dance, ala Lady Gaga? (O.K., that last one was never really in the running!).
Well, what Cash opted for was a return to her interpretive days, culling the body of this disc from a list of 100 Essential Country songs that her dad felt she needed to know, composing the list for her on the bus as they toured together the summer after Cash got out of high school.
On paper this sounds like a great idea, but, sadly, it only partially works. Mind you, these are all classic songs, and Cash puts her own unique spin on each of them (Special mention has to be made of husband John Leventhal's exquisite arrangements and production). No, the main problem lies in the fact that Cash is now too "big" for many of these songs....by maturing into the top tier singer/songwriter she's become, most outside material just seems....too small and...lacking. It's as if she's only painting in subdued hues, whereas her originals are made up of vivid primary colors and lush secondary ones.
Things kick off with the easy sway of "Miss The Mississippi And You." There's a nice cocktail lounge/jazz cabaret feel here (and I mean that in a good way!)...smooth, relaxed, clean...with crisp instrumentation and a lovely lead vocal. However, there's nothing here that's overly challenging or that makes you think, something I never thought I'd say about a Rosanne Cash recording.
For me, things really kick off with the haunting "Motherless Children." Anchored by a hypnotic arrangement, Cash's voice brilliantly weaves in and out, equal parts angry, pained, bitter and lost. This is one of two or three songs that have the emotional punch and picturesque imagery that I've come to expect from Rose.
"Sea Of Heartache" is a track that just doesn't work for me. Cash's vocal is spot-on throughout, but Bruce Springsteen's harmony vocal just doesn't click; it seems forced and mechanical. In fact, unlike most of the disc's other guest contributions, the Boss's seems to clash vs. compliment. The cut is also hampered by a feather-lite arrangement. Without a doubt, the disc's low point.
Things kick back in again with "Take The Chains From My Heart." All the elements come together here...a sterling lead vocal from Cash, a smooth, stylish arrangement that blends Country and Jazz, crisp instrumentation and killer backing vocals. All in all, this is what THE LIST, at it's best, is all about...honoring the past, while making it part of the present.
The same can be said about "I'm Movin' On." Buoyed by one of Cash's sexiest lead vocals to date, the track as a whole has a sly, sensual vibe to it that get's under your skin and stays there. Part lounge lizard, part bump and grind, this mesmerizing gem is another one of the disc's high points. Love, love, LOVE this cut!!
Leventhal's production chops REALLY come into play here with the clever sequencing of the lilting "Heartaches By The Number" after the slinkier "I'm Movin' On." Cash's vocal bounces along, aided and abetted by Elvis Costello's perfect harmony vocals. There's just something fun, fresh and fiesty about this cut. Cash seems to be having fun here, and it's absolutely contagious!
There's almost a religious beauty to the hushed "500 Miles." Full of melancholy, hope, pain and longing, Cash's vocal is a marvel. Often called "the best voice in pop music", this track vividly substantiates that claim. I also love Leventhal's production, from the muted percussion to the woeful organ. A brilliant cut, from start to finish.
"Long Black Veil" is nice, but this is one of those tracks where Cash just seems to be busting at the seams, straining at the bit, wanting to break out. Yes, it all works, but Cash just seems so much....larger...than this simple tale. Reigning herself in also results in one of Cash's exceedingly rare less-than-perfect vocals. Nice harmony vocals from Jeff Tweedy, though.
Things do a 180 with "She's Got You." When you can hold your own against Patsy Cline ~ arguably the most influential female vocalist in pop music history ~ well, you know you have a winner! The arrangement is understated and almost regal, but it's Cash's vocal that's the true star here...deep, rich, velvety, this is elegant excellence at it's very best! In my opinion (and it's funny to see how divided we all are on this!), THE LIST's crowning glory.
Right behind "She's Got You" is Dylan's "Girl From The North Country." If I didn't know better, I'd swear this was a Cash original...the lyrics boarder on poetic ("If you go when the snowflakes storm/The rivers freeze, and Summer ends/Please see she has a coat so warm/To keep from the howling winds") and the instrumentation is atmospheric and serene. Simply gorgeous!
I also really like "Silver Wings." There's a smokey retro Country groove going on here that's intoxicating, and Cash's strong lead vocal is perfectly complemented by Rufus Wainwright's soaring harmonies. Yes, I would have loved to have seen Rose belt it out just a TAD bit more ~ the disc would have benefited from a LITTLE more of an rock edge! ~ but this is still a winner, hands down.
Things wrap up with "Bury Me Under The Weeping Willow", a sweet Country/Folk strummer. Nice vocal, delicate arrangement, sad story....perfect way to end this project.
So...where do I ultimately stand on THE LIST? Well, it's clear that there are a lot of nice moments here, and it's true that the album grew on me more with each listen, as all of it's charms and nuances unfolded. However, the fact remains...Rosanne Cash has become such a force of nature in her own original way that I think she needs to continue looking forwards, not back. Here's to her next batch of originals. (As with all my reviews, I'm docking the disc half a star for not including the lyrics. Yes, I know this is a covers album, but I would have at least liked some liner notes stating why she had chosen each of these songs from the list of 100).

Brand	N/A
Rating	4.6 (643 ratings)
Price	$12.86
Category	Americana

The List

Description