Beautiful Pain (featuring Sheryl Crow) 44 Stories Rules Of Travel Hope Against Hope Closer Than I Appear Last Stop Before Home Rosanne Cash Photos More from Rosanne Cash 10 Song Demo Black Cadillac The Very Best of Rosanne Cash
10 Song Demo Similarly Requested CDs R. Vosik (5 out of 5 stars) "This long-awaited CD makes the delay almost seem worth it. Every song is a keeper, and some will break your heart.The opening song, Beautiful Pain, written by Craig Northey, features a beautiful, upbeat tune and backup vocals by Sheryl Crow. 44 Stories evokes the wonder of getting to know someone, with deep lyrics. I'll Change for You, with help from Steve Earle, is one of the most lyrically creative songs you'll hear all year, all about obsession.It's on the next three tracks that this album becomes a classic. Rules of Travel, the title cut, might just be the loveliest song Rosanne has ever performed. The music builds to a tremendous hook, supporting some clever lyrics. Unique instumentation supports the catchy music. A masterpiece.September When It Comes is the emotional center of this album. It's a tune about mortality, and when Rosanne's father, Johnny Cash, sings his verses, you will feel chills. Another classic.Hope Against Hope, written by Jakob Dylan and Joe Henry, rocks smoothly, bolstered by layered instruments and a catchy chorus.The next two tunes, Will You Remember Me and Three Steps Down, aim for more introspection and depth. The latter features the vocals of Teddy Thompson, son of Richard and Linda Thompson.Closer Than I Appear would have fit very comfortably on Rosanne's Rhythm and Romance or King's Record Shop albums. It's very much a throwback to those days when she produced unique country music, and it's great to hear Rosanne in that mode again.Speaking of throwbacks, Western Wall is almost a carbon copy of the version that appeared on Ten Song Demo. The song deserves to be heard again, and it fits well with this album.Finally, Last Stop Before Home, written for (but unrecorded by) Linda Ronstadt, ends the album in a mellow groove accompanied by some haunting lyrics.John Leventhal's production is stunning, as usual, with surprising elements layered with more traditional elements. And Rosanne's lyrical depth, honesty and self-examination are as strong as ever.One wishes there was some forum where these songs could become the big popular hits they deserve to be, but in the interim, pick up a copy. It's the best album of this year, and ranks with Rosanne's classics."