10 Song Demo

 (8 customer reviews)

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...Read more

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.

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.