Customer Reviews

Somewhere in the Stars: Rhythm & Romance

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The future of Roseanne Cash's music remains in doubt as 1980's Country Music is increasingly vanishing except in the rows of a few dusty record stores. That is why I say these are essential: because several hits from these albums are unavailable on her greatest hits collections or elsewhere. If you buy it for nothing else, the two CD's have a total of 7 hit singles, two hit #1. What is on these CD's that can't be found elsewhere are the songs "Ain't No Money", "Second To No One" (both Top 10) and "It Hasn't Happened Yet" (Top 20). Fans should not expect her five major albums to remain in print, which they all are right now-the first four combined into two double CD's, so I am pleased that for now that they at least are keeping these available.

The sheer talent of Roseanne Cash is undeniable. More than any other artist of the '80's, all of her hits from '79 to '90 should be included on a hits collection, preferably an anthology that not only includes all of her hits from '79 to '89, but also includes her tragically overlooked '90's material that was just as cutting edge and well crafted as her '80's classics.

This is a rather awkward combo of Rosanne Cash's third and fourth albums. SOMEWHERE IN THE STARS (1982) is easily the least of Rosanne's albums during her mainstream country artist period; possibly rushed out to capitalize on the success of the 1981's SEVEN YEAR ACHE, only three cuts are outstanding, the top ten "Ain't No Money", the cynical "I Look for Love", and the wistful "Looking for a Corner". Rosanne makes rare entry into sentimental mush with the title track and the modest hit "I Wonder", her remakes of "That's How I Got to Memphis" and "Third Rate Romance" are rather lifeless. On the other hand, there's here brillant 1985 RHYTHM & ROMANCE, which rocks like a successful pop act of the day and yet amazingly is credible as a country work. The tracks seem unbelievably fresh 20 years after they were recorded. Ringing with harmony vocals from then hitless Vince Gill, this album is seldom far from by stereo. The best tracks are the Grammy-winning "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me", "Never Alone", Tom Petty's "Never Be You", and "Halfway House" but they are among Rosanne's finest performances. Widely considered her best work, RHYTHM & ROMANCE deserves better than to just be half of a compilation.

Anything with Her name on it is a great cd and this is no exception! well worth it...2 great cds on 1!!!