Steve Conn
River of Madness,  D’Ville Record Group CD DV 5001, 1994 (42:12)

 All the right ingredients

Pianist/singer/songwriter Steve Conn gets some help from New Orleans’ finest to produce this collection of rootsy tunes about love and longing in the heartland. Conn keeps it clean and simple, with a contemporary edge, and always makes sure you can understand the lyrics. Sounding a bit like Pure Prairie League’s Craig Fuller, Conn straddles the line somewhere between country, cajun and New Orleans second line. Special guests include Sonny Landreth, The Subdudes, Tim O’Brien and Lee Thornburg.– Jason Staczek

 Glenn Brooks says... The first song, "Mardi Gras Morning," definitely has that trusty New Orleans beat. On the rest, good songwriting is sabotaged by overproduction. I hope Conn’s next album is leaner and meaner.