Starting Over

Between the albums he recorded with the Lonesome River Band and his three IBMA awards for male vocalist of the year, Ronnie Bowman has developed quite a reputation. Starting Over, his first solo effort after leaving the Lonesome River Band, will only add to his standing. The title is meant to evoke new beginnings, though many of the songs deal with love gone wrong for one reason or another. The singer tries to keep believing that a relationship will last in "What She Didn't Say," while the title track speaks of the need to start over even though the hurt remains. It's easy to draw a connection between these sad songs that Bowman has chosen and his then-recent divorce. The driven "Lonely Quit Knockin' on My Door" paints a portrait of a forlorn man, while "Stone Cold Blue" tells the tale of a no-good woman out running 'round. Although the subject matter may seem a bit of a downer, the accompaniment keeps one's spirits afloat. One of the advantages of recording for Sugar Hill is the number of high-profile musicians who kindly lend their talents to a labelmate's album. Mandolinist Dan Tyminski, dobroist Jerry Douglas, and fiddler Ron Stewart are just three of the many names who inject lots of energy into these songs, providing the perfect backdrop for Bowman's forceful vocals. While it may have been more accurate to call this effort "Getting Over It," Bowman and his musically gifted friends have crafted a fine album. ~ Ronnie D. Lankford Jr.