This debut release displays a confidence and swagger that bodes well for the road ahead. Recorded in Nashville with an impressive array of session musicians, the sound is full and rich with plenty of swirling keyboard and inventive piano playing to lift the arrangements, courtesy of Peter Keys (Lynyrd Skynyrd). We are also treated to a fine horn section and backup singers on a number of tracks and there is some very tasty guitar playing from Daniels himself, together with guest Kenny Olsen (Kid Rock).
Opening with You’re an Angel, a track that channels Van Morrison, the overall groove across ten songs reminds me of the Band. Sounding not unlike a young Levon Helm on a number of the songs is no bad thing and the swell of the arrangements is full of colour and warmth. Plenty to appeal then and the blues shuffle of Riding Back to Memphis sits very nicely alongside of the roots feel of I’ve Seen the World, a JJ Cale shuffle with attitude.