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The Wheel

Rosanne Cash - The Wheel Audio CD

A fair review of the Rosanne Cash "The Wheel" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Rosanne Cash reviews here, or go back to the Rosanne Cash tabs.

Band: Rosanne Cash
Title: The Wheel
Rating:

Release Date: 1993-03-09
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Wheel 2: Seventh Avenue 3: Change Partners 4: Sleeping in Paris 5: You Won't Let Me In 6: From the Ashes 7: Truth About You 8: Tears Falling Down 9: Roses in the Fire 10: Fire of the Newly Alive 11: If There's a God on My Side

ONE OF MANY ROSANNE CLASSICS
I love every album that she comes out with and the Wheel is no exception. I'll admit I am biased when it comes to Rosanne. Great album from start to finish. .

Standing the test of time
Normally I don't go for "easy listening" sorts of music. . but this is something well beyond that. There are several points about "The Wheel" that make it a unique collection of songs, though there is nothing particularly inventive or unusual. Musically, "The Wheel" is a classic example of "less is more" - I don't find it to be overproduced at all. . . and the arrangements are even a bit spare at times. Rosanne Cash does have a wonderful voice, though I'm not sure I'd call it a "small" voice. Yes, maybe it is "small" compared to Ann Wilson, Patty Griffin, Pat Benatar or Annie Lennox - but what voice wouldn't be in that company? Cash has a very different approach, never a power voice or a blasting set of pipes. Cash does the perfect thing with her voice on this CD - she brings out the subtleties and gentler dynamics of her instrument. "Tears Falling Down" is a great showcase for her voice, with the soft backing music that develops a solid presence as one goes deeper into the song. The songs here are very much personal touchstones - Cash has put forth songs that most people can relate to very easily. If that was her goal, I think she succeeds remarkably. "Roses in the Fire" is one of those songs that could be the soundtrack to any breakup - and "The Truth About You" is a soundtrack to really connecting with someone. . . in between those extremes are songs like "Sleeping in Paris", "Seventh Avenue" and the title track that all seem to resonate with the art of living in general. my favorite track is the last one "If There's a God on My Side". . . who hasn't asked those questions --- and who says God has to be a man in the first place!!! When I listen to this CD, that twist in that song sums up the entire work very nicely. .

The Wheel Goes 'Round
Conceptually too ('10 Song Demo'). Artistically, there are probably better Rosanne Cash disks ('Interiors'). But 'The Wheel' is a pretty good culmination of Cash's songwriting and performing talents. Along with husband/producer John Leventhal, they managed to create a really good disk - start to finish. It might be viewed as Cash's first out and out non-country record (I don't think 'Rhythm and Romance' or 'Interiors' really hit that mark).

Due to this not being country or pop - there was no great marketing strategy for this CD, so it was more or less overlooked. However, it has very playable songs that could have been played on both formats (especially the way country radio has become more and more pop).

"The Wheel" is one of Cash's best songs in her career and deserved more exposure. I didn't think "Second Avenue" was a logical choice for first single - or any single, but had it been the title track, it could have made some inroads with the media. All songs are far above average, but a few really stand out including "Sleeping in Paris" with Mark Cohn providing wonderful harmony vocal and "Roses in the Fire", which could be the predecessor to Shawn Colvin's "Get Out of this House".

As with most of Cash's work, she doesn't stick to one format or style - and that works in her (and the listener's) favor.

Cash's Strongest Set
The production is top quality and the songs are all unique and stand alone as their own masterpieces. This is truly an amazing album to listen to. The music flows really well and Rosanne's understated vocals which she uses to quietly highlight the essence of each song. THE WHEEL is truly a landmark album.

The title track sets off the album in true fashion, the melody is unforgettable and its a good pace to set for the album. This song is quite interesting lyrically, as well is "Seventh Avenue". "Change Partners" is one of my favorites, another killer backing music track, a nice song that is full of hope. THE WHEEL features songs that are soul searching and confessional, getting into the depths of love and relationships.

While it might be easy to compare themes to her INTERIORS album, the themes may be repeated but she has never repeated herself. Take the beauty of "Sleeping In Paris", which blows me away lyrically. Nothing compares though to "Roses In The Fire" which is the climatic moment on THE WHEEL, a brilliant song. The other songs are absolutely fantastic and she never misses a beat. Some say it's a bit overproduced, I think her husband John Leventhal's production is just on key here.

Other highlights include "You Won't Let Me In", "From The Ashes", "Fire of The Newly Alive" and "The Truth About You".

You won't be disapointed with THE WHEEL. It is an exemplery album no one should miss out on hearing or owning.

A masterpiece!
I have owned a cassette copy of "The Wheel" for well over a decade. This isn't a new cd for me, in fact this isn't even a cd. I just threw the tape into my stereo. Almost immediately a sonic explosion went off in my head. It is that same magic and wonder that I felt when I first heard "The Wheel" when I was 18 years old ten years ago (I know, I'm dating myself). I am not a big country music fan now nor was I then. I bought "The Wheel" after hearing a few of the songs on a local radio station which wasn't a country radio station. I just loved what I heard. At the time, I never heard anyone with a voice as startlingly clear as Rosanne Cash. As I am listening to "The Wheel" for the first time in years, I have fallen in love again with songs like "The Wheel" and "Seventh Avenue". One of my personal favorite songs off this album is "Sleeping in Paris". I feel like I am in the same room with Rosanne while she is singing this gorgeous acoustic ballad. I almost wanted to cry when I listened to the song for the first time in years. The production on "The Wheel" is simply some of the best production I have ever heard period, no matter what genre of music. John Leventhal does an incredible job producing "The Wheel". After listening to "The Wheel", I definitely have to put it somewhere near my reach. I can't believe I haven't listened to this wonderful gem in over a decade.

You can see a complete list of all Rosanne Cash discography, or go back to the Rosanne Cash tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.