The List

iTunes Review

In 1973 at 18 years old Rosanne Cash was given a list of the 100 Essential Country Songs from her father, country legend Johnny Cash, who was unnerved by his daughter’s lack of country song knowledge. Twelve of those tunes are here, proof that Rosanne paid heed to the list and learned its contents authoritatively. With husband John Leventhal in the producer’s chair, Cash offers up polished renditions of timeless tunes such as Hank Williams’ “Take These Chains from My Heart” and Hank Snow’s “I’m Movin’ On,” both of which take on a noir-like nightclub quality. The blues standard “Motherless Children” is supported with fiddle from Larry Campbell and mandolin from her husband. Bruce Springsteen shares the mic for “Sea of Heartbreak.” Elvis Costello joins Cash for “Heartaches By the Number.” Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy sits in for “Long Black Veil.” Rufus Wainwright accompanies on Merle Haggard’s “Silver Wings.” Cash herself handles Bob Dylan’s “Girl From the North Country” and “She’s Got You,” popularized by Patsy Cline, like the true professional Cash has become, is emotive with polite restraint.