Copyright ©1997, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com
The songs which comprise Until I Found You are a real find, because great songwriters like Skip Ewing know how to make songwriting appear easy, and sound just as natural as breathing.
And while Ewing may be better known for the tunes he's penned for famous country music folks like Wynona and Randy Travis, he has decided here to draw on his Christian beliefs and experiences, gather up some of his finest and most personal compositions, and create a musical collection which provides a well-needed breath of fresh air for both country music fans and Christian music lovers alike.
Although his previous recordings were specifically directed at the mainstream country audience, this new disk fits comfortably alongside other value-centered Christian music releases, as Ewing's faith rings out loud and clear in songs about his friends, family, and faithfulness.
The album opens with the rollicking, piano-pounding, and guitar-driven "All That Matters to Me" where he states emphatically that true love is far greater than anything money can buy. "A Rolls Royce and a bank full of money," he sings, "wouldn't mean nothing if I didn't have you honey." Ewing serves notice here and now that he has no plans to go for the bucks, and pony-up to take his camel on a ride through the eye of a needle, to paraphrase a well-known biblical parable.
It's no secret that the best songwriters do not always make the best singers, and that many wordsmiths are better left on the credits, instead of on the radio. Ewing is clearly a conspicuous exception to this rule. His full-bodied vocals bend and twist these songs into emotional and melodic expressions of love and devotion just as the vocal elite do, and reveal that Ewing cares as much about how his songs sound, as he does about how they read. In fact, he undoubtedly could have made it in this business on his singing alone.
But it's the striking high quality of the songs themselves which give Ewing good reason to sing his heart out. Successful relationships of every shape and variety, both vertical (up to God) and horizontal (to others around us), are obviously central to Ewing, as these songs reaffirm time and time again: "Sliver of the Moon" describes the tender bond he shares with his grandmother; "Answer to My Prayer" and the title cut celebrate the discovery of newfound love; and "Mary Go Round" revels in the dizzying joy that true love rarely fails to bring. These autobiographical tales exhibit a spirit of godly thankfulness for the loved ones who are such a vital part of his life.
He is accompanied throughout by the straightforward country backing of lively fiddling and smartly picked guitar playing. It retains enough old-time country elements to please the traditionalists, while it wisely avoids sounding old or dated. Itıs also overwhelmingly melodic, and as in the case of "Mary Go Round," downright unforgettable. It'll pick you up, and stay right with you.
Though Ewing's perspective stays positive from start to finish, he's nevertheless realistic about the difficulties we all have in making our dreams come true. Both "Make Time" and "I Got a Job To Do" warn that lasting love takes time, and that it usually requires a lot of hard work.
Appreciating the music on Until I Found You, though, is really no work at all for the listener. It's filled with finely played country music, straight-from-the-heart songs, and the performance of a true believer and skillful craftsman.
Dan MacIntosh is a music reviewer from Los Angeles, CA.
Copyright ©1997, ProMotion, inc.
www@acloserlook.com