Tommy Howell’s American Storyteller introduces us to a side of the renowned actor that I never knew existed. The eleven track collection revels in rootsy invocations of country, blues, and blues rock that hit with conviction and deal with life on life’s terms. There’s no airy pretensions in these songs but, instead, hard-bitten avowals of life lived rather than studied from a distance. These are songs unafraid to get their hands dirty. He hits all of his marks without ever sounding like an actor moonlighting as a musician – it’s a surprising turn in a long career, but fully satisfying.
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The album kicks off with the track “Whiskey Demon”. Many listeners will enjoy the amazing smokey timbre Howell brings to the table, that fit like a glove within the ranks of classic Blues and Americana music. “Whiskey Demon”, nevertheless, is a winner. It demonstrates his affinity for Southern rock, particularly steeped in blues influences, and it’s obvious from the outset that he’s surrounded himself with superb musicians capable of delivering on his musical goals.
“Rose Hill” pays tribute to one of Howell’s biggest musical influences. Invoking the specter of the Allman Brothers Band’s origins and what their music means to so many will connect with Howell’s desired audience. He pulls it off without the track ever smacking of imitation and the musicianship compliments his vocals. His singing de-emphasizes the dramatics heard during “Whiskey Demon” in favor of a more nuanced approach. “Miss Maybelle”, however, is pure Southern blues rock with Howell delivering a dramatic yet playful vocal stressing the physical over the emotional and the band responds in kind with an invigorating performance.
“Raised by Wolves” is one of the more rugged blues rock tracks included on American Storyteller. It has a stomping chorus sure to please fans of this sort of music and it isn’t hard imagining Howell getting a packed house singing along with him during such a moment. Harmonica makes a prominent contribution to the album’s songs and one of its highlights comes with the song “Hell of a Life”. It’s another blue collar driven cut featuring deft guitar playing and packs impressive power considering its largely acoustic origins. Howell’s vocals shine brightest during songs such as this.
“Possessed” and “Ponygirl” ends the album with a powerful one-two punch. They share the same low-key pedigree he lays down with the aforementioned song, but variations are the key. The former rocks a little harder than the latter and focuses much more on singer/songwriter-like concerns. “Ponygirl”, however, closes the release with welcome intimacy and brings the collection to a close in the same way that a leaf falls from a tree on a calm fall day. The sensitivity present in this final track is one last hint of the diversity Howell’s capable of and bodes well for future recordings. American Storyteller has everything to satisfy roots music fans without ever sounding cookie-cutter or plotted out. It’s a winner from beginning to end and opens new roads for this proven performer.
Levi Colston