Reviews

A Few Silly Tunes -- Songwriter From W.Va. Pours Out Eclectic Mix Onto New CD

Back in the day, Ron Sowell and his daughter co-wrote a great little song, "Monster Under My Bed."

Since Sowell's daughter, Mira Stanley, is now a freshman in college in Boston, Sowell's worries are less yellow-nosed and purple-haired monsters and more along the worry lines of John Ritter, who plays the pops in the new TV series "Eight Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter."

But with such fresh fare as "Monsters, Inc.," rolling out on DVD, that '80s song couldn't be more timely.

And it is just one of the dozen gems on Sowell's first children's CD, "Opposite Day," on Wingman Records, a label Sowell formed with Ghent, W.Va., resident Scott Hill.

Recorded in Oak Hill, Charleston and at the Jomie Jazz Studio on the campus of Marshall University, "Opposite Day," is an eclectic 12-song collection that is a vibrant reflection of Sowell's widespread musical tastes, his treasure trove of musician friends in mountain places and his own silly songwriting soul.

Sowell is perhaps most well-known as the musical director of West Virginia Public Radio's "Mountain Stage," which is heard and seen weekly around the world on more than 200 radio and television stations.

But since his daughter was in grade school, the folks at The Mountaineer Montessori School, 20th Street in Charleston, have known Sowell for his weekly stops at the school, where he sings and hams it up with the kids.

"First of all, I think there was part of me that didn't really grow up," Sowell said. "I have no trouble with being silly. Somehow, I relate to their level pretty naturally. They are so open, and they love music. All kids love to sing and love to dance, and it is something that gives me a lot of joy."

It has been at the school where Sowell has "road-tested" the songs, including some of his originals such as funky-percussion-junky "Backyard Tin Can Band" and the blues-based "I Love My Tomato." And where he recruited 14 kids for the kids chorus, which sings on nine of the tunes.

To keep things pepped up, Sowell said the kids were recorded in short sessions, where he used such ideas as a pretend pillow fight to capture the giggles on the song "Opposite Day," written by Sowell and Jon Ely.

And Sowell himself keeps the silly vibes going, rolling out the "Hose-a-phone," a garden hose-based instrument for his original song, "Backyard Tin Can Band," which is capped off with a percussion drumming solo by Solomon, who's prone to play everything and the kitchen sink.

"The hardest thing about making a studio album is that you have a tendency to make everything perfect, and -- if you don't watch it -- too perfect and sterile," Sowell said. "The challenge is to keep that live energy. I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out. It really feels good."

Perhaps, part of that feel-good feeling is the fact that Sowell, who has been in the bands Stark Raven and the Putnam County Pickers, gets a little help from his friends that include fellow "Mountain Stage" band personnel Ammed Solomon (on drums and percussion) and Julie Adams on harmony vocals; and National Flatpicking Champion Robert Shafer, among the 10 guest musicians on the CD.

Sowell also got a pair of tunes "Bug-A-Boo" and "Herman the Worm" for the CD from "Mountain Stage" host, Larry Groce, who has sold more than 9 million records for Disney.

A native of Roswell, N.M., Sowell slipped a long-time cover-song "La Bamba" into a playful medley with the Beatles' "Twist and Shout" and put a kids' twist on two grownup songs "Einstein the Genius" from the West Virginia string band, Stewed Mulligan, and "Potato," a song he heard singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler do on "Mountain Stage."

Now available at Now Hear This, Borders and online at Sowell's Web site, the CD is just the first Sowell hopes to do for the new label.

He also hopes to record another adult contemporary CD as well as a spiritual CD -- when he gets time. The children's CD took about 18 months as it was recorded in snippets when Sowell got time between such gigs as producing two West Virginia artists compilations for the West Virginia Lottery.

Sowell said he's glad they took the time to do it right.

"I kept the production quality just as high for this as I would have done for any kind of production for adults because kids will listen to it over and over and over again," Sowell said. "…You want songs that will appeal to adults on some level and that musically will be sophisticated enough so that it is entertaining. I think kids will appreciate that, too."

-- Dave Lavender, The [Huntington, WV] Herald-Dispatch, Nov 4, 2002

Young fans of Ron Sowell will be happy to know that "Opposite Day," Sowell's debut children's CD, is now available.

"I guess part of me never grew up," the 54-year-old singer/songwriter said. "It's just really easy for me to get silly. And it's very rewarding to sing for kids."

Sowell, founding member of the Putnam County Pickers and Stark Raven and longtime member of West Virginia Public Radio's "Mountain Stage" band, has cut records before. As his daughter was growing up, he learned firsthand that kids' records can be like Chinese water torture for adults. Sowell decided he wanted to make a fun and intelligent recording that kids and adults could both stomach.

The results are extensively kid-tested.

"I teach and sing with the kids at Mountaineer Montessori School, so I'm always looking for songs," he said. "Kids will tell you right away if something's working or not."

Several of the songs on "Opposite Day" were instant hits with Sowell's students and the kids he performs for on the road. One is "Potato," a cute little ditty written by Cheryl Wheeler and sung to the tune of "The Mexican Hat Dance." The song extols the virtues of spuds.

"They're red, they're white, they're brown, they get that way underground," the song says. "There can't be much to do, so now they have blue ones, too. ..."

Sowell includes two songs written by "Mountain Stage" host Larry Groce, who has sung children's albums for Disney that have sold millions of copies. "Bug-a-Boo," a particular favorite with the local 12-and-under crowd, is the tale of an insect dance craze. "Herman the Worm" is the story of a heartbroken annelid. "Larry's been a big influence of mine," Sowell said.

Sowell originals find their place on the disk as well, including the song's title track, "Opposite Day." "Mom says put your elbows on the table, open wide when you chew," Sowell croons. "Eat all of your ice cream, you can't have broccoli 'til you're through."

Sowell has already sold more than 400 of the initial pressing of 1,000 CDs, many to kids who have been waiting months for the disk. Many of them already know all the words.

"Kids are so open and they're enthusiastic," he said. "If you ask for four volunteers, 30 hands will go up before they even know what you want them to do. Can you imagine adults doing that?"

-- Rusty Marks, Charleston Daily Mail, Oct 20, 2002

In a time when kids have enough worrisome issues hanging over their heads, Ron Sowell's musical bus stops and invites them - invites all of us - to hop on and allow ourselves to enjoy, to learn, to dream, and to create together. Enjoy the world of "Opposite Day," the CD's title song, where everything is backward and you laugh when you get the blues. Learn to sing along with other young voices a couple of Spanish songs. Dream what you want to be, letting your heart and mind wander off exploring in "First You Dream." Create your own musical ensemble with the other neighborhood kids in "Backyard Tin Can Band."

From the already popular, bluesy "I Love My Tomato" to the banjo pickin' celebration of goofy-but-profound "Einstein the Genius," Ron Sowell invites us for a little while to see the world from a different perspective, invites us to be imaginative. And by the time we get off the bus, we're better for it. I am so glad and so very proud that a West Virginia musical artist has given us this opportunity. Come on! You get on the bus, too!

-- Julia Murin Lee, Fine Arts Coordinator, WV Department of Education

After spending nearly 20 years in bands like the Putnam County Pickers, Stark Raven and The Mountain Stage Band, Ron Sowell felt it was time to showcase his folk music roots and story telling lyrics with an LP he could call his own....

Sowell, who handles all lead vocals on the LP, wrote six songs himself and collaborated with Jon Ely on three others. Lending strong support are many of the musicians from Mountain Stage. The effort is an interesting mix of ballads and humorous ditties.

The LP opens with the title track and Sowell quickly establishes his knack for delivering strong intelligible lyrics. Sowell's vocal repertoire doesn't include many leaps into upper octaves, but his voice holds a certain vibrance similar at times to James Taylor or Jim Croce.

"Upwardly Mobile Love," the first of three songs that reveal Sowell's witty side, depicts a modern yuppie romance.... Also with "Why Can't White Boys Dance?" and "Mother Earth Blues," Sowell shows an ability to write situational lyrics that are either funny or thought provoking.

When his material takes a more serious stance, Sowell is even better. "Angry Man" and "Time for the Homeless to Come Home" feature strong songwriting, solid musicianship and poignant lyrics....

-- Wayne Conway, Beckley (WV) Register Herald

You may have heard Ron's guitar and harmonica work for years and not even realized it. He's been one of the featured guitarists with the Mountain Stage band, his work appearing on the recent compilation recordings from the live radio show originating from Charleston, West Virginia. After working with local bands (Stark Raven and Putnam County Pickers) and producing several albums, he steps into the spotlight with his first solo album. Most of the cuts are either folk-styled ballads or soulful rhythm tunes. The title cut is a quiet piece about relationships that has a James Taylor feel. His voice is mellow and mature, easily evoking the emotions of this sad song. "Upwardly Mobile Romance" is a yuppie love song rendered in a rhythm & blues style that displays his lyrical talent.

Ron also turns his attention to even more serious issues on several songs. "Time for the Homeless to Come Home" derives its inspiration from Ron's work with the homeless in his area…. This song recalls some of the great storytelling of John Gorka and Nanci Griffith. His storytelling ability is never more evident than on "Town of the Living Dead," a true story about a tragic incident that occurred in 1930 in Fayette County, WV. A company planned to cut a tunnel through a mountain using new technology, but sacrificed human lives to silica exposure in the process....

His unique arrangement (featuring New Orleans style piano by Bob Thompson) of "Sixteen Tons" is a fitting addition to this album. His guitar work (electric and acoustic) is good and the back-up band (featuring most of the Mountain Stage crew) are a delight. The backup combination of Larry Groce and Julie Adams yields some beautiful harmonies on three of the 11 cuts. Deni Bonet's violin is a real treat. For music about realistic situations that has a unique historical flavor, put this album near the top of your shopping list. Besides being informative, Oil and Water is a beautifully realized album that's a lot of fun.

A delightful time was had by children and adults alike who attended this past Saturday's summer reading program at the Jackson County library.

Entertainer Ron Sowell of Mountain Stage was on hand to give a stunning performance.

After a very energetic greeting, Sowell began with a humorous song about being swallowed by a boa constrictor. His opening act was followed by a string of very funny songs, stories and skits.

Helping to aid him in his performance was his guitar (which looked to be just another appendage to Sowell who has been playing for 40 years now) along with his various harmonicas, which at times would be strapped to his mouth with what looked like orthodontic headgear.

Sowell has participated in the library's summer reading program for roughly the past five years.

"I love playing for the kids," Sowell cheerfully remarked. "They are the best audience and they reconnect me with the absolute joy of music...."

-- Kristen Hoff, The Jackson (WV) Herald