JOHN COWAN
Always Take Me Back (Sugar Hill)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale

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Whether he's updating a traditional favorite, covering a progressive rock tune from the Yes songbook or delivering one of his great originals, John Cowan owns everything he sings. He established himself as one of the best voices in the Americana scene as a founding member of New Grass Revival, and he's only gotten better with the passage of time. The fact that he's also a terrific bass player is a bonus.

This album was recorded with Cowan's core group of guitarist Jeff Autry, drummer Pasi Leppikangas and banjo picker extraordinaire Scott Vestal (Luke Bulla has since been added to the touring lineup on fiddle and mandolin), and Cowan and producer Wendy Waldman lined up some A-list support from talent like Darrell Scott, Randy Kohrs and Waldman herself.

So the band's great, the songs are great, everything's great, and in large measure that doesn't matter to me at all. I'd pay to hear John Cowan sing the phone book or outdated TV Guide listings. He has one of the clearest, most emotionally evocative voices in the business, and he's made another one of my favorite albums with it.

Track List:

They Always Take Me Back * Someone Give Me A Stone * Sittin' On Top Of The World * Long Distance Runaround * Blood * 18 Years * Read On * In My Father's Field * Two Quarts Low * Call Me * Monroe's Mule * Love Alone * Mr. Banjo

© 2002 - Shaun Dale