Number 58 November 19,2010

Last Sunday I saw the amazing Roseanne Cash at The Palace of Fine Arts as part of SF Jazz & Beyond.  Her father Johnny Cash will of course always be one of the most important figures in American music.   When she was 14, Johnny recorded "Girl of the North Country" with Dylan, making her "the coolest girl in the world!".  When she was 18, Johnny gave her a list of what he felt were the indispensable 100 country songs, some of which are on her 2009 release, The List.  Her performance was astounding; I'd always meant to check her out, and this was the first time I heard her live.  "I wonder what the 101st song would be?" and then she did a fabulously spooky version of "Ode to Billy Joe".  It's hard to beat Bobbie Gentry's version, but she did.  Her band, especially guitarists Richard Hinman and John Leaventhal, her husband, were perfect.