10 Song Demo

Rosanne Cash | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 30, 2011)
• Original Release Date: 1996
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CAPITOL MANHATTAN
• ASIN: B000002TW4
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,674 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #94 in Music > Country > Neotraditional

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Rosanne Cash's 10 Song Demo has a lot in common with Emmylou Harris's Wrecking Ball. Both projects find Nashville divas pushing the left side of the progressive-country envelope with austere, intensely personal readings of superb songs about troubled relationships and spiritual crises. In each case, the singer has an equal partner in a producer who creates a brooding atmosphere with synth washes and sustaining guitar--in Harris's case it was U2's Daniel Lanois; in Cash's case, it's her husband, John Leventhal. The title is misleading on two counts: it actually contains 11 songs, and they really aren't demos. Although nearly every number begins with just Cash's voice and acoustic guitar or piano, they are gradually filled in with tasteful electric guitar, bass, and keys, which are too exquisite to be called unfinished demos. --Geoffrey Himes

Product Description

10 Song Demo by Rosanne Cash

This product is manufactured on demand using CD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my faves, February 1, 2004

By 

E. Karasik (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 10 Song Demo (Audio CD)

Five stars may be excessive if you judge this CD alongside the greatest classics, but when compared to similar CDs within the singer-songwriter folk-rock genre, this beautifully simple and powerful collection really shines. I find myself coming back to this CD more often than to many better-known classics because it has a freshness and originality that sustain interest. The writing, while occasionally a bit awkward, is consistently interesting, honest and moving. The themes of introspection, nostalgia, regret, and defiance are presented in a searingly personal manner. The song "If I Were a Man" is a rich celeration of the wonders women bring to relationships and the world; "Child of Steel" plucks the heartstrings with an achingly wistful delicacy; and "Take my Body" is a strong lament about the objectification of women. I especially love the pared-down guitar arrangements; the simplicity really works with Ms. Cash's strong vocals and makes me wish some of my other favorite vocalists would occasionally just get back to basic guitar accompaniments. I've seen Ms. Cash perform live and, while she has other hits that may be more popular, this collection reveals her unique brilliance.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Star Worthy, September 19, 2003

By 

R. M. Ettinger "rme1963" (Cleveland Heights, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 10 Song Demo (Audio CD)

When I originally purchased '10 Song Demo' I was disappointed. I knew the songwriting was there, but the execution seemed a bit lacking. I knew the songs weren't really demos, but my hesitation came from thinking "these would be REALLY good if they were fleshed out".

What I came to realize is just how brilliant the album actually is. Obviously the arrangement are sparse, but that turns out to be a blessing. What it does is REALLY showcase the songwriting for which Cash does not get enough credit. But her vocals really carry the songs - especially songs like "Bells & Roses", "I Want to Know" and "Child of Steel". Not all might be her strongest vocals - but they convey the emotion of the song.

FYI 1 - "Western Wall" also appears on Cash's 2003 release 'Rules of Travel' and is almost identical the version on '10 Song Demo'.

FYI 2 - Cash's short stories, "Bodies of Water", is a great companion piece to this cd.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 Song Demo is an amazing album!, November 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: 10 Song Demo (Audio CD)

It's bare, emotional, raw, and acoustic. Rosanne's voice has never sounded better. The producer of the demos doesn't overproduce her, which is great. The songs are the focus and each of them is a masterpiece. I've told friends that this is the country version of Tori Amos' Little Earthquakes CD: Every song is a rollercoaster of self-discovery. Be sure to pick up the companion book, Bodies of Water by Rosanne. She proves she's as good a writer as a singer. One of my favorite books. And this is one of my favorite CDs. If the brilliant Wrecking Ball is Emmylou Harris' signature CD, then this is Rosanne's.