INDIE MUSIC DIGEST - Independent Music Reviews

CD REVIEW: Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes - "Train of Life"

By: Cyrus Rhodes

"delightful"

"a blast to listen to"

- INDIE MUSIC DIGEST:-

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Artist: Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes
CD: Train of Life

Label: Independent Artist

Website: www.myspace.com/therollingcoyotes

Genre: Folk, Rockabilly, Classic Americana

Sounds Like: Jimmy Buffet, Peter Paul & Mary, Dr. John

Technical Grade: 8/10

Production/Musicianship Grade: 9/10
Commercial Value: 8/10
Overall Talent Level: 8/10
Songwriting Skills: 10/10
Performance Skill: 9/10
Best Songs: Gypsy Love Song, Rise & Shine, Train of Life, Two Left Feet Waltz, Blues on a Sunny Day,

Weakness: Winded Songs.

CD REVIEW:

West Virginia's own Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes releases their latest release “Train of Life” in the Spring 2010.

Logging in at just over 60 minutes, the CD kicks things off with “Land Rover” a melancholy intro piece that serves up steady folksy-type rhythms accompanied by inviting strings, well placed harmonies, & impressive harmonica accents. Track 2 “Better off with you (Than Alone)" shifts gears a bit with soothing acoustical duet that is sincere as much as it is genuine. Track 3 “Train of Life” delivers passionate vocal delivery from Warner with nice accordion accents, & earthy type musical feel making for one of the strongest songs on the catalogue. As the CD slowly unfolds you will notice a lot of musical variety from Warner & Co. First this music itself has a lot of emotional peak & valleys to it. Many songs possess a very carefree & uplifting spirit while a few offer up a very honest assessment of the truth. The CD offers a rich melodic vocal foundation, & lush layers of instrumentation. I would classify this music as classic Acoustic Folk & Americana with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies & melodic reinforcement. Besides the standard 4 piece delivery you will also notice brief splashes of percussion, piano, accordion, piano, harmonica, mandolin, stand-up bass, & delightful strings layered within the music. All in all the CD has some truly impressive moments on it showcasing musical influences of the likes of classic Dr. John, Jimmy Buffet, & do I dare say Peter Paul & Mary. Warner’s vocal abilities work well across the board possessing a vocal swagger reminiscent of Bob Dorough (Schoolhouse Rock), Jimmy Buffet, Dr. John, with just s splash of perhaps Joe Cocker. Honorable mentions go out to Nancy Lynn who adds her nice vocal accents along the way. From upbeat & carefree pieces "Rise & Shine”, “Stimuli”, “Sunny Afternoon” & "Brokenville” to passionate “The War has just Begun” & this CD pretty much has something for just about everyone. There’s even few slow moving vocal jazz-blues pieces like “Augmented to Be” & Blues on a Sunny Day” I enjoyed many of the stripped down love ballads like “Gypsy Love Song” & “Legacy” that will lift your spirits without even trying. My favorite line on the whole CD is “There’s no status to the quo in Brokenville” nice touch guys I was rolling on the floor. The CD comes fully loaded with 14 tracks & over 60 minutes of music. The CD even has 3 bonus tracks at the end “The Two Left Feet Waltz” “In the Dog House Now” & “A World of Our Own.”

All songs over 4 minutes tend to drag you to the finish line. Some percussive accents & vocal harmonies need to be tightened up a bit. “Stimuli” just sounds like an incomplete statement. Track 10 “Old Lovers Heart” the vocals come on way to strong, especially in the beginning. I realize this is subjective art form but typically you want to gradually build up your vocal intensity to the point your making during the chorus.

In close Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes are just a blast to listen to, & is a strong musical production from start to finish. The music is highly original, extremely catchy, & will lift your spirits without even trying. As the CD progressed I became more and more impressed with this 4 piece. Because of the influences I would say the flower children out there will love this one. The musicianship is first rate, the songs are short & sweet musical experiences, each one possessing a unique personality, flair, & signature groove. Last but not least my hats of to Mr. Steve Warner who will charm you with his amazing charisma, & touch you with his amazing songs, & lift your spirits with his delightful wisdom. The writing, & singing abilities of Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes is about as good as it gets for this genera. Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes let's it all hang out delivering music that is as much fun as it is entertaining. I look forward to hearing more material from Steve Warner & The Rolling Coyotes in the near future.

Cyrus Rhodes

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