Winner of the 2004 Billboard World Song Contest award, with “Jimmy’s Song” placing 3rd in the R&B/Blues category, John Stowers is no newcomer in the genre of blues rock. He’s a talented singer/songwriter who has performed in bars and coffee houses for the bulk of his musical career, and has learned a thing or two in the area of songwriting. Not having the opportunity to see him perform live, I could gage by his CD that he knows how to please an audience. His music could be described as optimistic, truthful, and even raw at times, with smart grooves and thoughtful lyrics. Of the 14 tracks on his John Stowers – Everything You Doalbum, there isn’t one song that isn’t well-produced and well-written. His lyrics threaten life experience. And regardless of whom he might have been writing about, I definitely got the impression his heart had been tested a few times. Bottom line? I can relate to what he’s singing about.
“I simply try to have fun and be honest. I very often pull things from my own life.” —John Stowers
Track 1, “All I Am Missing,” is a good opener and sets the tone for the soulful grooves I heard throughout the album. He consistently presents his hook, “All I am missing is you.” The electric guitar solo played by Ed Tree stays true to the blues/rock tradition. The lyric,
“It’s never as simple as who’s right and who’s wrong,” in track 2 is indicative of the insightful realism of love relationships. Some of his other tracks have an anthem-like quality to them, which bodes with the comfortable drums, guitars, and controlled background vocals. This is most prevalent in track 11, “Choose.”
John describes his music as Roots Rock meets British Pop. I agree that it does have somewhat of a Beatles feel, especially on track 4, “Mrs. Thompson.” Track 6, “For Christ’s Sake,” is my favorite song on the album: “We could use a God to do the job and save the human race . . . for Christ sake.” This song promotes tolerance without being controversial and has been heard on NPR and Pacifica radio station KPFK.
To sum it up, this album is authentic throughout and manages to tug at our inner truths. After listening to John Stowers – Everything You Do, I give it 4 stars out of 5.
Visit John Stowers at the following websites:www.myspace.com/johnstowersmusic and www.johnstowers.com.
Reviewed by Sean McKenzie
