Rosanne Cash Album: «Somewhere in the Stars»
- Customers rating: (4.5 of 5)
- Title:Somewhere in the Stars
- Release date:1990-10-17
- Type:Audio Cassette
- Label:Sony
- UPC:074643757041
I'm perplexed as to why "Somewhere in the Stars" gets mixed reviews. Rosanne Cash sounds feisty and intelligent and really passionate. "Ain't No Money" is a perfect example of why this album is great: Cash seems to dismiss this song with a snarl, and yet there is real feeling beneath the surface. She's an articulate songwriter now, but I loved the warring, jumbled emotions (listen to "I Look for Love" and "Third Rate Romance"). She's still a wonder (get "The List"), but this album deserves to be in stock and heralded for the gem it is! So, I herald "Somewhere in the Stars." Fine.
I also want to go on record and say that this is among my favorite Rosanne Cash CDs. The song "Looking for a Corner" is HIGHLY underrated. It should have been a top selling single in it's own right!! The entire album is awesome, but that particular song is simply incredible. She is GREAT!!!!!
30 years after its original release, this holds up for me as one of Rosanne's best ... I waver between this, 'Seven Year Ache' and 'King's Record Shop' as my favourite of her pre-Interiors work. The musicianship on Third Rate Romance, with the perfectly cheesy (in a good way) organ and steel guitar, puts that track on level footing with The Amazing Rhythm Aces original. And Johnny Cash's (uncredited) vocals on That's How I Got to Memphis nicely bookend his appearance, years later, on September When It Comes, from Rosanne's 'Rules of Travel'.
Released in true country genre style (too early on the back of a stellar album), 'Somewhere in the Stars' was set-up to fail.
It's not a bad disk and copied, in formula, a lot from its predecessor, 'Seven Year Ache'. It boasts of the same producer, musicians and back-up vocalists. Everything in place to make it a hit - and yet it really wasn't.
Without a doubt, it is Cash's weakest disk, but again, it is not bad. Some of the material is some of the best she's done. The first four tracks alone are worth the purchase - if you still can get the disk.
But it is after that when it kind of falls apart. There are moments on the second half shows promise ("It Hasn't Happened Yet") and a duet with her dad "That's How I Got to Memphis" that is not only just mediocre, but credited as a duet with her husband, Rodney Crowell. Either the credit is wrong, or Crowell does a hell of Johnny Cash impression.
For a newer artist, this isn't a bad disk - but if you're used to better things from Cash, you can give it a listen, but she's not at the top of her game.
