Phil Vassar (CD - 2000)

Personnel: Phil Vassar (vocals, piano); Larry Byrom (acoustic guitar); Brent Mason, B. James Lowry, Michael Landau (electric guitar); Paul Franklin, Dan Dugmore (steel guitar); Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Glenn Worf, Mike Brignardello (bass); Lonnie Wilson (drums); Terry McMillan (percussion); Chris Rodriguez, Tim Davis, JoDee Messina, Collin Rae (background vocals).

Engineers include: Julian King, D. Davis, Erik Lutkins.

Recorded at Ocean Way, Essential Sound, Loud Recording and Studio 56, Nashville, Tennessee.

Personnel: Phil Vassar (piano); Dan Dugmore, James Lowry, Larry Byrom, Michael Landau, Paul Franklin, Brent Mason (guitar); Aubrey Haynie (fiddle); Steve Nathan (keyboards); Lonnie Wilson (snare drum); Chris Rodriguez, Collin Raye, Jo Dee Messina, Tim Davis (background vocals).

Audio Mixer: David Thoener.

Recording information: Ocean Way, Nashville, TN.

Phil Vassar established himself as a top country songwriter by penning vigorous, rock-influenced romps for Tim McGraw and Jo Dee Messina. On his own, Vassar is an enthusiastic vocalist, a skilled pianist, and a gifted composer of spirited, nostalgic tales. Like Tom T. Hall, Vassar has a talent for chronological storytelling, squeezing big emotions out of small-town details. The boisterous "Carlene," an immediate hit, details the rediscovery of a high school valedictorian who blossomed into a fashion model. "Joe & Rosalita" follows a similar blueprint, commemorating the journey of two childhood sweethearts from senior prom to domestic bliss. Subsequent hits like "Just Another Day in Paradise" and "That's When I Love You" benefited from the album's good-time piano and guitar vibe, and launched Vassar as a distinctive recording artist. Various country music awards may have solidified his reputation among his peers, but no accolade validates Vassar's talent more than a song like "Didn't You Know She's Gone," in which Vassar speaks through various inanimate objects before admitting the truth to himself. As the dialogue progresses, echoes of '60s pop give way to heartbreaking guitar until his revelation surmounts poetic denial. It is one of many highlights on Phil Vassar, an imaginative debut that suggests he has a wealth of future material for himself and others. ~ Vince Ripol

Vassar is the top Nashville songwriter responsible for such smash hits as Dee Messina's "Bye Bye" and "I'm Alright" and Alan Jackson's "Right on the Money." As you might expect, the songwriting on Vassar's self-titled debut is top-notch. Vassar also proves himself to be a talented vocalist and pianist.

Vassar specializes in finely detailed descriptions of everyday life and relationships-from the day-to-day drudgery of the frazzled couple in "Just Another Day in Paradise" to the legendary exploits of the small-town lovers in the excellent "Joe and Rosalita." The versatile Vassar captures heartbreak and regret ("Didn't You Know She's Gone," the lovely "Rose Bouquet") proficiently and conveys the sheer joy of being in love ("That's When I Love You," "Lucky As Me") with equal grace. If you want your country fun and upbeat, check out the disc's irresistible first single, "Carlene," with its "ooh la la la" chorus, and "Six Pack Summer," Vassar's breezy ode to fun in the sun. The piano-intensive production gives the CD a unique feel reminiscent of Bruce Hornsby's early work. Whereas many Nashville songwriters have difficulty establishing themselves as artists in their own right, Vassar shouldn't have any problem finding an appreciative audience. minimize