Stephen Bruton - From the Five

Pros

• "The Halo Effect"
• "This Old World"
• "Walking By Faith"

Cons

• None.

Description

• Fifth solo album from the singer/songwriter/producer.
• Features guests Glen Clark, Steve Ferrone, and Bill Payne.
• Produced by Ross Hogarth (Melissa Etheridge, Ziggy Marley) and Stephen Bruton.

Guide Review - Stephen Bruton - From the Five

It's not surprising that this genre-defying song-master once played with Delbert McClinton. His bluesy, folksy approach to Americana (real country) brings it all straight back to its roots, a Texas flare to the Delta, with a little Missouri thrown in for good measure (just a bit of the sound of Dylan, there). Stephen Bruton takes it all and distills it into a highly rich, deeply intoxicating brew.

Bruton probably isn't for everyone; the tunes are impossible to define as "country" or "folk" or "blues" when they are in fact a little of everything; his lyrics are elegant simplicity, the heart of Americana, with straightforward messages delivered in crisp, straight-to- the-heart style. Sometimes sharp, sometimes harsh, occasionally cold, but always spot-on, such as "These are strange days/ We're far from heaven/ Greed, glory, power/ And false reality/ but there's a way back/ To the right track, baby" from "This Old World," which takes a cynical direction but ends rather surprisingly optimistic, with "this old world needs love."

Bruton has worked with some of the greatest names in music, from McClinton to Kristofferson, from Johnny Cash to Martina McBride. He's an incredible guitar player, his acoustic prowess apparent from the first track, and he's played for folks like T. Bone Burnett and Elvis Costello. His disc may not be geared for the mainstream, but it's sure to be appreciated, if not loved, by anyone who likes to put on headphones and get lost in great music.