Steve Owen - Turlock 2

Well he got a picture of a bottle of whiskey on the front cover and the website. Goes a long way with this reviewer already. A quick perusal of his website reveals he's been gigging and recording for a good while already. This his second disc for Ethic and his fourth CD solo since 1993. That workrate shows in the smooth and sophisticated set of songs. He looks on the cover like a hazier Hank Williams III and a bit of that rebel rouser with a glint in the eye attitude seeps out of the songs..e.g. The boozy ballad 'Alcohol and Power Tools'. Great song and most of the offerings on display are similar standard. Particular faves the wonderfully named 'Harry Fogelberg's Blues' When you realise this namechecks Harry Chapin and later he covers Paul Westerberg's 'Skyway' you realise this is one wised up cowpoke. There's plenty of 'proper' country playing bedding down the words and to be honest this one of the srongest 'unknown' discs I've heard in a while. There's a shot of Jason Ringenberg, a dash of Dwight Yoakham and a vocal slant all his own. Highly recommended ..strong and feisty like a shot of J.D. Bartender give me one more........If you like the sound of this medicine the disc available from the website above. Moment to savour? The pure as moonshine fiddle intro. To the bluegrass n' godly 'Today is the day' and later the refrain of 'I'm sorry Jimmie Rodgers'.....'I hate trains'...played in pure homage..yes sir a great little disc worth tracking down. SDB Flyin' Shoes Review.

1) Close Enough to Shore
2) Harry Fogelberg's Blues
3) Alcohol ; Power Tools
4) Far from Here
5) Like a Wedding Band
6) Today Is the Day
7) A Pair of Brown Shoes
8) Skyway
9) I'm Sorry Jimmie Rodgers
10) What Makes the World Go 'Round