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Reviewed in Rootstown Music 10 (06/00).

3 stars = good

That's the way it is in Austin, whether you are a musician or active in computer technology. Bennett Brier is a 43-year-old songwriter who has been employed in Austin for 20 years as a programmer and now has found the time to develop himself as a songwriter.

He invited a number of his musician friends into the studio to capture his songs for all eternity. The album opens with a kind of "back to the '60s" song in a performance by Van Wilks, who really goes after the guitar. Then the unknown singer Deb Schnack appears with Unconditional Love. This lady has a wonderfully vibrating folk voice of which Melanie (no longer the youngest) should be very jealous. Then comes a happy up-tempo baby song (rather clinging) with the veritable fiddle wizard Richard Bowden. One of the nicest (pop) songs is Tender Flame with Van Wilks again playing a main part.

In Just Not the Same we find a surprising act, namely, Mister San Antonio: Joe King Carrasco. I don't know what they put in Carrasco’s drink, but I have never heard this rocker play so flat and uninspired. In addition, the country singer Christine Albert was invited. She offers a fine performance of the song Lost and Found with the help of fiddler Gene Elders. I mustn't forget the title number Anthem. A pretty love song interpreted by the (still unknown) singer Jeri Arsenault. (PJ)

(Local Flavor)

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