STEVE YOUNG
Primal Young (Appleseed Recordings)
Reviewed by David J. Klug

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Steve Young has been performing and writing for over three decades, and in the '60s scored a hit for writing Waylon Jennings' signature song "Lonesome, Orn'ry and Mean." Though failing to chart as a solo artist, Young also saw his "Montgomery In The Rain" do so by Hank Williams Jr. Young debuted in 1969 with Rock Salt and Nails, which featured Gram Parsons, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, and James Burton, and became one of that era's cornerstones in the development of California country rock. In 1971 he penned perhaps his most famous song, the record title track, "Seven Bridges Road," since covered by the Eagles, Joan Baez and many others. Young lost his way to alcoholism in the '70s and continued to struggle throughout the '80s (save for an excellent record of covers, To Satisfy You, on Rounder in 1981). In the early '90s Young championed his way back to shape with two celebrated releases on Watermelon - one, 1993's Switchblades of Love, was nominated for a Nashville Music Award for Best Folk Album in 1995.

Primal Young is Young's first U.S. release in six years, and is a strong and graceful effort featuring original folk and country songs, traditional songs and covers. It also demonstrates just how exceptional a songwriter Young is through the emotional tugs of "Jig," "No Longer Will My Heart Be Truly Breaking," and "Little Birdie." "Scotland Is A Land" expresses Young's love for Scotland, inspired in part by Young's deep admiration for poet Robert Burns (ironically, I just returned from a trip to Scotland and Burns' hometown when I came in receipt of this record). Other standouts are Young's covers of Frankie Miller's "Blackland Farmer," Lloyd Price's "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," and "Sometimes I Dream" by Merle Haggard and Jenessa Haggard. The record was produced by J.C. Crowley and played by Young (vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic steel and electric guitars), Crowley (bass, electric guitars, keyboards, and harmony vocals), Andy Kamman (drums), Van Dyke Parks (accordion), Al Wolovitch (bass, upright bass), Vern Monnett (pedal steel), Craig Eastman (fiddle and mandolin), Kim Young (harmony vocals), and John Andrew Parks (harmony vocals). Liner notes include an introduction by Keith Glass and very interesting details by Young about each song.

© 2000 - David J. Klug