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.
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.
