Search - Rosanne Cash :: Wheel

A Life-Changing Musical Experience.

Matt Coker | Davis, CA, USA | 06/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I originally bought THE WHEEL because I wanted to know if all the good ratings were true. The album is a life changing musical experience, CDs this good should be give medals, and the artists equal rewards. Rosanne Cash was always ahead of the rest of the music world in terms of intelligence and creativity. On THE WHEEL she took her talent to brand new levels. Each of these eleven songs contains a power so great, it can make your head spin. I listen to THE WHEEL everytime I'm upset or angry about something, it helps. Words can't describe how I feel about the album, but I'll try to portray these songs in a way to do justice to these masterpieces. Rosanne Cash's honesty is stunning. Few artists are as brave regarding their music or their lives. "The Wheel" is an incredible song, her honest and powerful lyrics are amazing. "Seventh Avenue", the symbol is the New York street, is equally impressive. "Change Partners" is a song about new hope and new beginnings. "Sleeping In Paris" is gorgeous, Cash's lyrical eloquence is constantly present. "You Won't Let Me In" a blast stronger than dynamite, about not being recognized. "From The Ashes" is a stirring moment about new beginnings. "The Truth About You" is poiginant. "Tears Falling Down" is brilliant. "Roses In The Fire" is the dramatic highlight of THE WHEEL. The lyrics are stunning. "Fire Of The Newly Alive" is marvelous. "If There's A God On My Side" is amazing. This is what great music is made of. DON'T MISS OUT ON THIS CD-HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. I have large amounts of CDs, but this one is a top highlight. THE WHEEL is a part of my music collection, and after I heard it the first time, I don't want to part from it. After THE WHEEL I tried 10 SONG DEMO and INTERIORS, both albums are extraordinary. Nothing is comparable to THE WHEEL. If there was an album of the millenium, this would be it. Buy this one right now, you won't regret it."

?I?m purified by fire? - Rosanne Cash

dev1 | Baltimore | 04/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After baring her broken heart on Interiors, Rosanne is back - This time brimming with self-confidence and a renewed zest for life (From The Ashes). On first listening, I jumped to the conclusion (never a wise move) that Rosanne had brightened her spirits by partnering with a new beau. The Wheel is about relationships, but not quite so worldly as boy-and-girl. The Wheel looks at the philosophical question, "Where does love go when a relationship ends?" `The Wheel,' `Seventh Avenue,' `Sleeping In Paris,' `The Truth About You' and `Fire Of The Newly Alive' examine the subject of undying soulmates. Rosanne also probes spirituality (If There's A God On My Side), and responds with a resurgence of self-love (Change Partners, You Won't Let Me).Her inspiration spills over into the music and the band. John Leventhal's guitar work is perfectly balanced: compelling but subdued. For the more uplifting songs (The Wheel, Rose In The Fire), a studio luminary named Steuart Smith plays an intense lead guitar. The Wheel is captivating, spiritual, uplifting, and philosophical (oh yeah, you can dance to it also)."

The Wheel Goes 'Round

R. M. Ettinger | Cleveland Heights, OH USA | 07/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Artistically, there are probably better Rosanne Cash disks ('Interiors'). Conceptually too ('10 Song Demo'). 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."