Deadman
Our Eternal Ghosts (One Little Indian)
Like many a cosmic cowboy, Austin songwriter Steven Collins of Deadman wears his Gram Parsons obsession on his sleeve. On Deadman’s Our Eternal Ghosts, it’s also spooky how much Collin’s wife Sherilyn, who shares vocal duties and plays keyboards, sounds like Emmylou Harris. Filled with electro-gospel stylings and steel-guitar echoes, the album haunts the same landscape occupied by the late Chris Whitley, defying easy classification. Adding to this taxonomic confusion is the presence of Mark Howard, a producer who learned plenty at the elbow of his old boss, Daniel Lanois, the man behind Willie Nelson’s Teatro, Harris’ Wrecking Ball, and several U2 efforts. The problem with this approach also reflects its charm. For much of the album, Deadman rattles and hums like a Robbie Robertson side project, especially by the time “Sad Ole Geronimo” rolls around toward the end. It’s a clean sound that worked for many of Collins’ obvious influences, and would have worked for Parsons. (Thursday, March 16, 1am @ Pecan St. Ale House)
This article appears in March 17 • 2006.