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Scott Joss: A New Reason to Care |
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Track List 1. Don't Mean Maybe 2. Daddy's Honky Tonk 3. Even If You Have to Lie 4. Free At Last 5. If I Were You 6. Lonely Sounds 7. A New Reason To Care 8. Rose In The Snow 9. Without Making A Sound 10. You're The Reason |
Scott Joss's
elegant presence and phenomenal talents have graced the stage behind
Dwight Yoakam for nearly a decade. He's also played with Merle Haggard's
Strangers. But the incomparable fiddle man also stands very well on his
own out in front, and proves it with his most recent album, the 2000
release "A New Reason to Care," a collection of songs done in a simple,
straightforward style as classy and elegant as Joss himself. Combining a
light-handed Bakersfield style with Joss's warm and homespun voice as well
as magnificent fiddle, mandolin, and guitar playing.
Starting out with a light swing to Buddy and Julie Miller's "Don't Mean Maybe," Joss's album is an extremely pleasant listen, infused with excellent playing, some great songs, and Joss's comfortable singing style, as well as the expert production skills of Pete Anderson and Taras Prodaniuk. Joss gives us such songs as the amusing "Daddy's Honky Tonk," mournful "Even If You Have To Lie," and Jim Lauderdale's cheery "If I Were You." He presents a crisp honky-tonk sound in "Lonely Sounds," and the desperate sorrow of "Rose In The Snow." He is clearly as at home out in front as he is backing another, as comfortable an entertainer as one could find. Joss delivers a country sound for country fans, no excuses, compromises, or apologies. Yoakam fans will recognize most of
the band, as Joss is joined by the incomparable Pete Anderson on guitar,
Taras Prodaniuk (who also plays for Lucinda Williams) on bass, Skip
Edwards on keyboards, and Gary Morse on steel. There's also Beth Anderson
and Jonathon Clark on backup vocals, Dummer Thanme on drums, and Lee
Thornberg on trumpet. Joss is clearly at home with these friends and
coworkers, and Little Dog Records presents here a true gem, a beautiful,
unassuming disc that is truly a delight to listen to.
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Kathy Coleman
Take Country Back October 2002