Lance Cowan – The Air That You Breathe
I’ve reviewed the critically acclaimed Nashville-based singer-songwriter Lance Cowan’s work in the past but always try to assess the newest with a fresh look. This is Mr. Cowan’s latest 11-track 3rd solo set, The Air That You Breathe (Drops July 24/Patio Records/Lantzapalooza Muzik/40:03), which boasts some fine collaborators produced by Scott Paschall (bgv) in Nashville.
The LP begins with the pensive “Love,” a simple enough title with sincere vocalizing, surrounded by a heartwarming guitar melody & gentle percussive element. The message is immediate & the arrangement is solid. Cowan is primarily an Americana-roots artist but always manages to navigate through his balladry with skill, avoids showboating, & embellished playing. Most of the material is message-based but not too heady. The folksiness is genuine; the Americana eschews a coherent vibe. Not too rural, not too cornpone but genuinely engaged in their themes. His narratives are concise in songs like “Where’d They Go,” a Townes van Zandt-type tale but without the edginess. But that’s fine because Lance is exceptional with his storytelling weave & in this one a bit of mystery since there’s no resolution. But then in real life, many things don’t have resolutions.
Lance’s tonality is conversational. It’s as if he talks to you personally & relates the story through song. “The Air That You Breathe” is poignant, with a full measure of reminiscence, & holding on to things that meant something. This song is near-lullaby in its nature, with gentle piano notes cascading around the vocals. Falling back into a strictly folky & lively tale is “William Cooper Smith,” a song mindful of the type of ballad Willie Nelson would croak. But Lance serves it up with a smooth voice flavored with guests Sam Bush’s mandolin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore’s backing vocals.
Some tunes are geared to an easy-listening, middle-of-the-road style (for selective tastes), since it isn’t Lance’s forte. He’s a good rootsy singer but not a tuxedo singer. He doesn’t have the range or tone for such songs. However, not all is lost; “When He Was Here” & “The Road” are both in his wheelhouse — quite good. The finale is what I wish there was more of; “Home With You” is a toe-tapping Sam Bush fiddle-stomping dance tune, & here Lance shines brightly.
Highlights – “Love,” “Where’d They Go,” “The Air That You Breathe,” “William Cooper Smith,” “When He Was Here,” “The Road,” & “Home With You.”
Musicians – Dan Dugmore (steel & lap steel guitars/dobro), Pat McGrath (acoustic guitars), Phil Madeira (piano/accordion/B3 organ/Wurlitzer), Bryan Owings (drums/percussion), Dave Pomeroy (electric & upright basses), Michael Spriggs (baritone & electric guitars/12-string electric & hi-string guitars), Chip Davis (Rhodes piano/bgv), & Billy Davis (bgv).
B&W image courtesy of Jeff Fasano. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.lancecowanmusic.com/
Find some of our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Lance Cowan “Against the Grain”