Steady On

1989’s Steady On introduced Shawn Colvin to a mass audience — though, in truth, the South Dakota-born singer/songwriter had been building a following in various U.S. and Canadian locales for well over a decade. These years of seasoning may account for the self-assurance Colvin displays on her major-label debut. Her singing conveys an idealism matched with an underlying toughness, heard in both breathlessly-delivered narratives like “Another Long One” and yearning confessions like “Shotgun Down The Avalanche.” The album’s title track is a believable survivor’s anthem, while “The Dead Of Night” is an ode to a fickle muse. Such tracks as “The Story” and “Diamond In The Rough” find Colvin exploring childhood memories with a pang of regret. Her robust acoustic guitar strums are accented nicely by John Leventhal and Steve Addabbo’s blend of folk instrumentation and synthesizer programming. Celtic sonic colors mix with country and techno-rock touches in pleasing ways. In the end, Steady On’s greatest strength is its integrity – Colvin’s performances ring emotionally true and leave an indelible impression.