FUV's New Dig: Rosanne Cash

The River & The Thread
Rosanne Cash
Blue Note Records | Release Date: January 14, 2014

Rosanne Cash is back with The River & The Thread, her first album in over four years, and her first of new, original songs in eight (2009's The List was a collection of covers). She recorded it in her hometown, New York City, with producer John Leventhal, her husband and longtime musical collaborator.

Rosanne called on some friends to help her realize her musical vision, including Derek Trucks, John Paul White (formerly of the Civil Wars), Alison Moorer, Amy Helm and Cory Chisel. Rosanne and John's son, Jakob, also makes an appearance. Even John Prine, Kris Kristofferson and Rodney Crowell hop on board.

The opening song, the swampy "A Feather's Not A Bird," sets the stage for the rest of the album, which sees Rosanne reconnecting with her southern roots. On her recent albums, Rosanne's songs were filled with memories of her parents: She sang of losing them, coping with her grief, and reflecting on the treasured the gifts they gave her. But on The River & The Thread, we get a sense of where her father, Johnny Cash, came from, a place Rosanne rediscovered during her recent travels in the south. Songs like "50,000 Watts" and "Etta's Tune" tell tales of the friends, family and experiences that were part of this world.

As Rosanne's journey unfolds, she reveals how a thread connects life's experiences, and how there's a river running through it all.

From the FUV Vault:

• FUV Live with Rosanne Cash at Rockwood Music Hall [recorded 01/13/14]