Lance Cowan

For many years now, Lance Cowan has been one of Music City’s best publicists, working with a wide range of artists including Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, Joe Ely and many more.  In a classic mid-career shift, Cowan began recording and performing his own songs, and The Air That You Breathe is his third release over the past couple of years.  This new album, produced by Scott Paschall and recorded at Sound Emporium, is his best one yet, and features many of Nashville’s players, centering around Pat McGrath and Michael Spriggs on guitars, supporting his sincere vocals and tasteful songwriting.

   

The record opens with “Love,” a straight-ahead declaration of what should be a priority in our lives, amidst all the distractions of modern life. “Pieces of Love” offers a message of hope and support to a friend in need, with Sam Bush’s mandolin and Dan Dugmore’s steel trading licks behind Cowan’s emotional vocal. Gentle percussion, bass and acoustic guitar sets the stage for “Where’d They Go,” a dark tale about an immigrant neighbor’s not-so mysterious disappearance, leaving everything behind. The title, cowritten with Karen Leipziger, is a beautiful ballad, with a sincere, understated vocal telling the tale of a musician whose career took several unexpected turns, but the power of music finally bringing him the satisfaction he craved. “William Cooper Smith” is a classic tale of the old west with an unexpected ending, with Bush’s mandolin, Dave Pomeroy’s bass and Bryan Owings’ drums driving the track, and Jimmie Dale Gilmore on backing vocals.

   

“The One You Love” has a classic ‘60s elegant feel, with a heartfelt vocal from Cowan, and Phil Madeira’s accordion weaving around the backing vocals, and “Be With You” is a positive love song full of gratitude.  “Closer To Truth,” cowritten with David Mallett, has a powerful message of love an hope, despite the challenges we face in these complicated times.  The sad realities of a one-sided breakup are detailed in “When He Was Here,” cowritten with Janis Ian, with pulsing guitars and keyboards surrounding the poignant lyric. Owing’s hand percussion and McGrath’s acoustic guitar lay a simple foundation for “The Road,” a sad tale of life going astray, with Dugmore’s evocative steel giving it a spooky feel. The album closes with “Home With You,” a sweet uptempo reflection on what is really important in life, and is a perfect ending to a very cool and heartfelt collection of songs. This project is another great example of how we should not limit ourselves to sone path in life and follow our heart’s desire, wherever it leads.

​

– Roy Montana