Rosanne Cash arrives with her Rules of Travel

Rosanne Cash has finally returned. She brought some wonderful traveling companions with her, such as Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Teddy Thompson and her own father, Johnny Cash. Her most recent album, Rules of Travel, was released this week (March 25, 2003, to be exact) by Capitol Records, and it was a long time in the making. Her last album had been "10 Song Demo" released in 1996.

In 1998 the work had begun on Rules of Travel and most of the words had been written. It was at this time that Rosanne realized that she was losing her voice, and a polyp was discovered on her vocal chords. She says her voice was lost for about 2 and 1/2 years before finally returning in 2000. The work on "Rules of Travel" then resumed. While her voice was gone, Roseanne returned to her real love, which is writing. She is a published author of short stories and a childrens book.

On a personal note, it was back in the winter 1990 that one of my favorite albums was Rosannes' Hits 1979-1989. There was one song on it in particular that I could relate to, "I Don't Know Why you don't Want Me", as my 18 year marriage was beginning to unravel. It was such a painful time in my life. Ironically, it was during this same period of time that Rosannes' marriage to singer/songwriter Rodney Crowell also was coming to an end. Together they performed "It's Such a Small World", another of my favorites. She and I both suffered the effects of divorce in 1991. The other day I was searching through my old cassettes for "Hits 1979-1989" and could not find it. I went to my ol' friend, Amazon.com, to hopefully find it and order it, when I discovered this newest release, Rules of Travel. I pre-ordered it, received it as soon as it was released, and have been enjoying it since it arrived.

Rosanne Cash was born in Memphis in the mid 50's (I've read her date of birth listed as both 1955 and as 1956, so I hesitate to be specific), the daughter of none other than our favorite "boy named Sue", Johnny Cash. She is presently married to John Leventhal, the producer of Rules of Travel. He is also the co-writer of 5 of the songs on this album, as well as playing guitars, bass, drums, percussion and/or keyboards on most of the songs. Rosannes' list of credits and accomplishments is a long one. She will be honored on Country Music Televisions' 40 Greatest Women of Country Music, which will be broadcast in mid April. She comes in as #22 on their list.

THE SONGS

1. Beautiful Pain displays the wonderful harmonizing of Rosanne with Sheryl Crow. The song begins Do you want to be honest, or do you want to win. The lyrics were written by Craig Northey, formerly of a Canadian group called the "Odds". The chorus goes If everything were running smoothly, You'd soon lose who you were. Pain and hurt prove that you're real, So go on, go back to her. In an interview Rosanne says that she loves Craig as a lyricist. It is easy to see why she feels this way, as this song shows clearly of his talent.

2. 44 Stories was written by Rosanne when she was 44 years old. She says that she began by thinking of writing a story for every year of her life, and then went on to wonder what it would be like to have someone that would love her enough to actually listen to her long enough to hear them all. Don't stare her into silence or frozen points of view, cause she's got 44 stories, She wants to tell them all to you. She says she got stuck writing in the middle of the song, however and called in songwriter, Robert Warren to ask his help. She says that he brought in the "right poetic touch", which indeed he did. Very pretty instrumentals in the background...I like this one a lot.

3. I'll Change for You features Steve Earle with vocals and it is described by Rosanne as both erotic and obsessive. There is an interesting interview between Rosanne and Barnes and Nobles' writer, David McGee about this song. Here is an excerpt:


McGee It's an interesting song in that it's a woman singing, "I'll change for you." I'm sure I could poll my male friends, attached and unattached, and to a man they will say --
Rosanne A woman won't change for you?
McGee That's the perception. And right off the bat you're singing, "I'll change for you," and Steve is there, lazily drawling like he's accepting it, and it's like pillow talk.
Rosanne It is like pillow talk!
McGee Maybe that accounts for the erotic aspect you mention in your notes.
Rosanne I think it is erotic. Also, I hate this therapeutic political correctness: Oh, you're not supposed to change for anyone. That's crap! Because you do change for someone you love, whether you want to or not. That's just the truth. I wasn't afraid to say it. [smiles and laughs] Also, it's kind of obsessive. The way it reveals itself is obsessive, but the idea is obsessive: that you want someone so bad you'll turn your insides out.

4. Rules of Travel, the title track of this CD, was written and re-written many times, both the melody and verses by Rosanne and John. The attack of September 11th brought a new perspective into the song, according to Rosanne. The lyrics of the second verse, When do the walls tumble down into the sky into the stars and the ground were inspired by the tragedy. It is ultimately about intimacy and learning about each other. Before we learn the rules of travel, Inside each others hearts. Nice harmony with the background vocals of Catherine Russell and nice smooth instrumentals.

5. September When It Comes features the phenomenal Johnny Cash. Rosanne began writing this song with her Dad in mind. She says it was when he became so ill and she was faced with his mortality that the words came. As the song developed, John suggested that Rosanne ask her Dad to join her in the recording of it. Although Johnny was very ill, he agreed. Their joint effort is touching and heartfelt. He sings I cannot move a mountain now, I can no longer run, I cannot be who I was then, In a way, I never was. Johnny Cash is a man that has grown into our hearts and been a part of our lives for so many years. This song is a great tribute to him and his talent.

6. Hope Against Hope was written by Joe Henry, a friend of Rosannes', and Jakob Dylan. It is a lovers lament with heart-wrenching lyrics. And I wait, Hope against hope like before, And I wait, Hoping I won't anymore. It may be sad, but I like this one a lot.

7. Will You Remember Me was another sad song dealing with mortality. John originally dissuaded Rosanne from including it on this CD. Eventually he agreed and began writing the melody. It is very sad, and it's also very pretty, with the instrumentals. When we say goodbye, When the soul is free, Will you remember when there's no need to breathe. The sound of the instruments is nice, but the lyrics are just a bit too depressing. Not one of my picks off this CD.

8. Three Steps Down features the vocal talent of Teddy Thompson. I've been listening to this song over and over and for the life of me, I just don't know what to say about it. The lyrics really make no sense. The vocals and the instruments are very pretty, but the thing that attracts me to a song first and foremost are the lyrics. In this song they simply don't make sense. So let's go on.....

9. Closer Than I Appear was inspired one day when Rosanne was stopped at a red light and looked into her side-mirror. She felt that it would make a perfect country song. It comes closer to "7 Year Ache" than any other song on this CD....which in my book is a very high compliment. It has a nice beat and sing-along-with-lyrics. I like this one a lot.

10. Western Wall is about hope...the hope that our prayers are answered. Rosanne says that she visited the Wailing Wall in Israel several times and was inspired by the thought that a person could write down their personal requests and that they would be answered by a higher power after simply pushing them through a crack in a wall. It's a crumbling pile of broken stones, It ain't much, but it might be home if I ever loved a place at all, It's the Western Wall.. The high notes of the guitars will make you sit back and just take it in. Very pretty.

11. Last Stop Before Home is the last song on this CD, and it is another slow, thought-provoking tune with a lovely melody. One of the verses says, I'm not the sleeper who waits for a kiss, But who is the god who designed me to love you like that, If I break in two and fall to my knees and tell you the truth, would you then believe you have been this to me?. Another nice slow ballad.

FINAL THOUGHTS

If you're looking for something with an upbeat tempo that makes you want to dance, you won't find it on this CD. What you will find, however, is a lot of really great lyrics, backed up with some great instrumentals. Rosanne Cash came to us years ago on the bootstrings of her Dad. As the years have gone by she has managed very successfully to show us her tremendous talent all by herself. Hope you like this one as much as I do.