Graham Clarke June 21, 2019 Friday Blues Fix Blog

Steve Conn has collaborated with a variety of over his career, frequently with Sonny Landreth (appearing on Landreth’s recent Grammy-nominated effort Recorded Live In Lafayette). He’s also toured with Albert King, played accordion for Levon Helm, and even appeared on The Tonight Show with Shelby Lynne. A Louisiana native, Conn played small clubs in Louisiana, before moving to Colorado, where he formed the band Gris Gris. He also spent time in Los Angeles in that city’s music scene, returning to Colorado, where he was musical director for the NPR show eTown, before settling near Nashville.

Conn plays keyboards, accordion, and alto sax, his voice is vulnerable and supremely soulful, reminiscent at times of Boz Scaggs, and he’s one heck of a . All of these talents can be savored on his latest, fifth overall, release, Flesh and Bone (Not Really Records). The opening track, “Famous,” is a New Orleans-styled track that finds Conn reflecting on his life, wanting the accolades he thinks he’s earned before it’s too late. Next is the title track, which is a jazzy shuffle that has a mid-career Miles Davis feel, followed by “Doing The Best That I Can” takes a regretful look at a broken relationship, and “You Don’t Know,” which is hopeful for better days ahead.

“Annalee” is a sentimental ballad about a lost love from long ago, a theme that’s revisited later by another exceptional ballad, “Forever Seventeen,” a tune that will touch anyone who looks back and ponders what might have been. Anyone who’s had a bad day can certainly relate to “Let Me Cry,” a funky New Orleans blues. Conn picks up the accordion for the zydeco-flavored “Around and Around,” which takes a look at the ongoing debate between religions in the world (one of two tracks featuring Landreth’s slide ). “Sing Me To The Other Side” is a somber look at life’s end, and “Satisfied” reflects discontent when all around is as good as can be.

“Good Times are Coming” combines Professor Longhair keyboards with 70’s-era R&B and funk, telling the story of a young child who is moved from place to place with the promise of better things ahead. The album closes with one of its most powerful songs, “Without a Trace,” a mysterious and moving tale of an apparent suicide.

Conn and Joe V. McMahan co-produced the disc, which was recorded in Nashville, and features musical contributions from McMahan (), Bryan Owings (drums), and Dave Francis (bass), among others.

Flesh and Bone is a stunning piece of work from a talented and songwriter. Most listeners will find a piece of themselves in some, or all, of Steve Conn’s songs.