Rosanne Cash’s ‘The Wheel’ Returns 30 Years On at Savannah Music Festival
In the heart of Savannah, music lovers are in for a treat as Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, Rosanne Cash brings her classic album “The Wheel” back to life. Together with her husband and longtime collaborator, John Leventhal, the duo brings a refurbished version of the album, specially remastered for its 30th-anniversary celebration, to the Savannah Music Festival.
Returning to Ownership
“The Wheel” made its original debut in 1993 at a time when Cash was undergoing significant personal and professional changes. “I had a clause in my contract with Sony when I made ‘The Wheel’ that the master recording would return to me after 30 years and that 30 years came up last year,” stated Cash marking the auspicious moment. Encapsulated with personal emotions ranging from turbulence, uncertainty to eventual celebration, the album has close links to Cash’s own life story.
Reviving the Album
Upon regaining the master recording, Cash alongside her husband Leventhal founded a record label and undertook the remastering of “The Wheel”. The resultant album, “The Wheel 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition” includes the original, remastered songs, an additional live LP showcasing Cash’s Austin City Limits performance from 1993, and an exclusive broadcast of her appearance on the Columbia Records Radio Hour.
From Nashville to New York City
Having made a life-altering shift from Nashville to New York City, Cash had recorded “The Wheel” during a time of significant upheaval, both personally and professionally. However, that very crucible masterfully shaped this album into a poignant narration of Cash’s own metamorphosis and the beginning of her enduring partnership with Leventhal both creatively and romantically.
Cash’s journey with “The Wheel” was marked by a distinct progression in her work. “I had met John…it wasn’t clear what place he was going to have in my life but I felt something very powerful for him. I started writing these songs and then I wrote the lyrics to ‘Seventh Avenue’ and asked him if he would write the music for it and that began a working relationship” stated Cash.
Connecting Past and Future
All these years later, the act of revisiting and remastering the tracks on “The Wheel” has taken Cash on an intimate journey down memory lane. The experience was made even more unforgettable by returning to Central Park with famed photographer Pamela Springsteen. Having shot the original cover for the album it was a powerful moment of connection for Cash, bringing her full circle as they returned to the same location, 30 years later.
This remastered edition will give fans and music aficionados the chance to experience first-hand the profound transformation encapsulated within Cash’s music and personal life, in a much deeper and richer way. It is not just a matter of celebrating the past, but also an exciting opportunity to introduce new fans to the poignant journey that this album represents, right here in Savannah.
