Thinkin' Problem (CD - 1994)

Personnel: David Ball (vocals, acoustic guitar); Stuart Ziff, Brent Mason (acoustic & electric guitars); Sonny Garrish, Tommy Spurlock (steel guitar); Blaine Sprouse, Rob Hajacos, Glen Duncan, Hank Singer (fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano); Glen Worf (bass); Owen Hale (drums); Lawrence Eugene Marrs, Suzy Ragsdale, Cindy Richardson Walker, Stephony Smith, Harry Stinson (background vocals).

"Thinkin' Problem" was nominated for Best Male Country Vocal Performance in the 37th Annual Grammy Awards.

Personnel: David Ball (guitar, background vocals); Stuart Ziff, Brent Mason (guitar, electric guitar); Verlon Thompson (guitar); Tommy Spurlock, Sonny Garrish (steel guitar); Glen Duncan, Rob Hajacos, Blaine Sprouse, Hank Singer (fiddle); Steve Nathan (piano); Owen Hale (drums); Larry Marrs, Cindy Richardson Walker, Harry Stinson, Stephony Smith, Suzy Ragsdale (background vocals).

Recording information: 1111 Sound Studios; Battery Studios; Chances Are Studios; EMI Recording Studios.

There's no way to mistake David Ball for anything other than the real deal. The lanky North Carolina cowboy is pure honky tonk, and THINKIN' PROBLEM is a whiskey-soaked, broken-hearted, walkin'-the-floor classic.

Authentic steel and fiddle-heavy instrumentation, pure country lyrics ("I say I've burned her memory, but I'm just blowing smoke/ There's embers in the ashes, that haven't yet grown cold,") and heartsick vocals to rival Hank Williams, make THINKIN' PROBLEM one of the most traditional albums of the year.

The title cut, a surprise hit of Summer '94, ("I must admit I have a thinkin' problem, she's always on my mind,") has catapulted Ball's swing and swagger through the bar door, down the street of broken hearts, and past country music's pretty boys club. minimize