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MICHAEL STANLEY
The Ground (Line Level Music)
Reviewed by Ron Saranich
I first heard Michael Stanley's music in the early 70s, enjoying both Friends & Legends (1973) and You Break It, You Bought It (1974). Bill Scymczyk, who has worked with the Eagles, The Who, The J. Geils Band, and others, produced Friends & Legends, bringing in such notables as Joe Walsh, Richard Furay, Dan Fogelberg, and David Sanborn to record an excellent album. Even now, I love playing "Let's Get The Show On The Road" from that album and groove to its fadeout jam. Stanley, along with Bob Seeger and John Mellencamp, always struck me as being the epitome of good, honest Midwest rock. So, I jumped on the chance to review Stanley's nineteenth album, The Ground, and see what changes the past 30 years have wrought.
Stanley has matured. His lyrics reflect a broader personal view of the world and the human condition. The subjects he chooses to write about are deeply relevant to us all, including love, life, death, hurt, relationships, and hope. The words are unforced; the feelings genuine, yet poignant. The music matches well with the lyrics. In short, Stanley has aged well.
Stanley either wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 13 songs on The Ground. Besides singing, he plays electric and acoustic guitars, dobro, bass, drums, and synthesizers. Also performing on the cd are Danny Powers on guitars, Bob Pelander on keyboards, Paul Christensen on tenor sax, Rodney Psyka on percussion, Marc Lee Shannon on nylon string guitar, plus Jennifer Lee and Anna Gee on vocals.
The Ground contains wonderful music, plus some musical moments that border on the great. Favorites songs for me include "You Would, You Have, You Will," "My Last Day On Earth," "One Good Day In A Row," and "Some Things." The opening number "The Ground" is a classic; perhaps the best song the prolific Stanley has written and alone worth the cost of the cd. At 55, Stanley is just hitting his stride.
Michael Stanley has always been considered a regional artist. I've never understood why. Hopefully, The Ground will bring him greater recognition. Its rock at its best, a perfect blend of inspirational lyrics with music. Please do yourself a favor and give The Ground a listen. Its honest, heartfelt music from the Heartland. As Stanley writes, "We all leave something every time we try and take the ground." Amen.
© 2004 - Ron Saranich