Were he not resident in Nashville, rock fans might be surprised by the country aspect of this album. For Eric Stuart is an artist championed by the likes of Peter Frampton and Ringo Starr. In fact given the fact he has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Hall & Oates, Paul Rogers and Julian Cope it is equally surprising that Eric's strength lies in relationship songs that map out the conflicting emotions of hope and disappointment in a number of tales of good love gone bad, and conversely good love as an optimistic positive force. The latter is the case on the beautifully sung final album track 'This Love'.

And if nothing else 'In The Country of Kings' is the kind of well crafted album full of heartfelt stories that offers a key as to why Eric has survived touring all these years as an independent artist, with over 14,000 sales under his belt. His thoughtful lyrics, great playing, emotive singing and his superb band is matched by the intuitive co production of Questar Welsh

What possibly holds him back is that after having heard all 15 songs on this album, you are left with a feeling that accomplished singer and confident song writer that he is, what he lacks is a trademark sound that would make him stand out from the very competitive Nashville music scene.

Indeed while much of the set here is in some way steeped in country music from the excellent harmonies and bv's of the celebratory 'Paint The Town Tonight' to the Country rock of 'The Last Word' and the pedal steel driven rocker 'Bad Luck', you get the impression that the project has fallen back on country music much as a rock musicians sometimes goes back to the blues for inspiration. And in doing so, Eric is in danger of being lost in the shuffle.

Given that 'In The Country of Kings' confirms he is a song writer first and musician second, far better to further explore the style of the radio friendly, horn led 'Blind Trust' with its Springsteen influenced Roots Rock than opting for MOR Nashville Country rock. Either way there is much to recommend here on an album that will undoubtedly hold appeal to fans of say Delbert McClinton and John Stewart.

***

Review by Pete Feenstra