Through various styles, beginning with the gutsy post-punk edge of his New York-via-Austin group See No Evil, on through to his power-pop years fronting Christopher Robin, Robin Dean Salmon has traveled quite an arc to end up as Americana troubadour. He`s even cooled his heels in the alt. country creek having recorded a couple of records as Jack West. But Gasoline marks a turning point for this South African born/Texas raised songsmith. Citing Rodney Crowell`s Houston Kid as a pivotal influence and eye opener, Salmon set to work on developing songs equally rich with the "honesty of the human condition." He must have struck a nerve as he`s managed to get Crowell himself to sing back-up vocals on the breezy and hopeful "Maybe I Do", which also includes vocalist Carmella Ramsey, who has worked with not only Crowell, but Patty Loveless, Maura O`Connell, and many others. Gasoline was recorded in East Nashville with some of the area`s most highly esteemed musicians. And guests, among others, include such notables as guitarist Kenny Vaughn, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and Al Perkins, who cant seem to add enough pedal-steel, much to the records advantage. -- Robinson, Miles Of Music (self-released)
