Rosanne Cash Black Cadillac. Release Date : January 24, 2006. Label: Capitol. Rating: Andy doesn't dig rating stuff. Every flaunty, praising thing you've heard about this album is true. It's fantastic and touching. Rosanne Cash, in the midst of so much loss over the last few years, has put together an album in tribute to those people in her life, which manages to both rend the heart and yet not come across as hopelessly depressing. Cash sings about a lonely heart and deeply expresses the connection to her family. In lines such as minus you / minus blood and I'll be watching you from above / long after life, there is love to solidify that connection. Her words are rife with references to childhood and pleasant times of the past. Very cathartic record. And as I said, it doesn't feel like a requiem or a collection of words so sorrowful that it seems as though we're supposed to feel sorry for her. it's just simply truth, how she feels, and snuck alongside music that is deliciously and loosely country. Not only that though - some tunes get very jivey, some are clearly songwriter ballads. This one is an instant classic. Between banjos and acoustic guitars, Cash's voice trundles through. It's a real, vintage style folk voice. No overproduction or fancy effects - just a broken-hearted girl telling how she feels. A search for any remnant of her loved ones. It's anguish and heartache and some fragment of hope and comfort in the things she cannot help. I just think the contrast in sound versus lyrics is interesting. You wouldn't really envision that these are sad songs sometimes. I suppose they're more like defiant. "Dreams Are Not My Home" for example is so uppity, it really doesn't sound like it would have sombre content. Cash's dusky haunting voice charges up to a low wail at these moments. And let's not forget the bold, shimmying swagger of "World Without Sound." How did this even get on here? It's a soundtrack to a brothel. Also sweet the small recording of her voice as a baby recorded by Dad is a touching addition. Song of choice : A lot of songs are really good on here. "Black Cadillac" and "Like A Wave" are stand outs. -Andy Scheffler Elsewhere Rosanne Cash website Published : March, 2006.