Cowboy's Daughter - July 2008 
Midwest Records Recap
LITTLE BEAR
SARAH PIERCE/Cowboy’s Daughter:  It might seem like she’s an under the radar princess that only recently got her eye on taking the crown away from Nanci Griffith as the Lone Star songbird, but this Illinois transplant has been at it a while, learning lessons, making contacts and getting it down right.  Like a novelist that has blossomed in obscurity while waiting for lightening to strike, this set will seem like it came out of nowhere to the uninitiated.  While it leaves them thunderstruck, long time fans will be able to grin the knowing, smug grin that comes when their darlings finally hit it.  A delightfully stellar folk/country flavored set that doesn’t have a wasted track or moment and certainly delivers the goods.  The kind of set that too many of the old reliables haven’t been delivering lately, fans of solid songwriting and performances that really connect will be glad to have this come their way.  A winner throughout.

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June 2008
Sarah Pierce - Cowboy’s Daughter
Little Bear Records 14282
Format: CD
Released: 2008
by John Crossett
johnc@soundstage.com
Musical Performance *****
Recording Quality ****
Overall Enjoyment ****

Many artists start strong and fade as their careers near their end. Others begin well and continue
to grow, producing better and stronger albums as time passes. Cowboy’s Daughter is Pierce’s
sixth album and by far her most consistent. By taking her music back to its roots in the country,
folk/rock, and singer/songwriter sounds that she grew up with she writes a list of songs that do
justice to all facets of life – from the good to the less desirable. You’ll hear songs about love
("What Would You Do"), roads taken ("I Thought I Knew You"), roads not taken ("Wish It
Away"), family (the title track) and trying to stay optimistic in a world gone crazy ("Radio").
Backed by a solid group of Austin session musicians -- and the occasional ringer (Niitty Gritty Dirt
Band fiddle player Al Garth) -- Ms. Pierce, in partnership with producer/engineer/drummer Merle
Bregante, weaves a finely crafted and choreographed album that bounces a listener’s emotions up
and down like a yo-yo, all the while keeping attention riveted on the music.

This album may very well represent Merle Bregante’s strongest engineering work yet. While I’ve
had quibbles with his previous efforts, they have almost all been addressed here. Credit should go
to not only Bregante's growth as an engineer but also to new studio goodies -- Dynaudio-powered
studio speakers, Alessandro headphones and 24/96 mastering. The bass, which until now has
been my main disagreement with Bregante’s mixing, is strong, detailed, tight, and easy to follow.
Pierce’s voice is front and center with an excellent sense of realism. All of the instruments -- from
the various guitars to drums to fiddle to bass -- are more clearly reproduced and defined. The
soundstage is kept between the speakers, yet there’s adequate space allotted for allow each
instrument to bloom in its own unique manner. This is an album to enjoy both musically and
sonically, which means it’ll have you pinned to your listening seat awaiting the next track.

Oh, and there’s a real possibility of being able to order one-off 24/96 DVD-As of the album in the
future. I have one and it’s great. Now isn’t that a sweet notion to ponder?

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COWBOY’S DAUGHTER
SARAH PIERCE
Producer: Merel Bregante
Little Bear Records 14282, 2008
Contemporary country Folk - USA - ****

I met Sarah Pierce in Austin - Texas in 1998 during the recording of Chicken Mambo’s album ‘Nuther World’...a record produced by her husband Merel Bregante legendary drummer and producer (Loggins & Messina, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and many others). I immediately liked the music of Miss Pierce and decided then and there to organize her first tour in Italy. Since then Sarah Pierce has become a musical favorite in Italy returning often to perform for her many fans.

Cowboy’s Daughter is Pierce’s newest offering and as the name implies, this album returns her to her musical roots. That being traditional country and folk. An essential recording, Cowboy’s Daughter allows her incredible voice and songs to shine brightly. To help her in this, a group of great musicians joined in. Among others Cindy Cashdollar (Asleep At The Wheel) on steel guitar and dobro and John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band) on banjo, mandolin, and acoustic guitar.

This is an album filled with great songs and great performances. Among my favorites are Radio, a
convincing, acoustic, country folk ballad, What Would You Do, an elegant waltz featuring the fiddle of Cody Braun (Reckless Kelly), and the title cut, Cowboy’s Daughter. Yet another splendid song reminiscent of Chris Hillman (Byrds) or The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with effective
banjo by John McEuen and an uproarious solo by Ms. Cashdollar.

Other songs of interest include Charlie - a somber ballad written in the style of Bruce Robison and Lucinda Williams. Effective use of the harmonica and a deeply felt violin solo by Al Garth (Eagles) make this one of the very best songs on the album. Jacqueline is a notable country folk/bluegrass song featuring piano (Reilly Osborne), mandolin (Doug Hudson), and the perfect interplay between dobro and acoustic guitar. Very nice as well is track nine, I Thought I Knew You, a classic ballad driven by piano and violin. Last Real Cowboy, a roots country song, is a
Johnny Cash train beat driven by the expressive electric guitar of Rosie Flores. The record concludes with an incredibly powerful vocal rendition of Three Cigarettes. This is Pierce paying
homage to the unforgettable Patsy Cline. Three Cigarettes is preceded by the song that I consider the best on the album. Tumbleweed Dreams is a beautiful, minor chord ballad with a refrain that is memorable from the first listening. The violin (Garth) and the drums and percussion (Merel
Bregante) are both excellent but for me the frosting on this beautiful cake is the intense acoustic guitar solo of Maurizio Fassino (Chicken Mambo). Along with Alessandro Adinolfi on acoustic and electric guitar, this song represents the Italian soul of the record. Tumbleweed Dreams is, by
itself, worth the purchase of this beautiful album. Welcome back Sarah Pierce!

Fabrizio Poggi - Folk Bulletin - June, 2008