Ronnie McDowell Albums (13)
'At Church Street Station'
Release Date 1/9/2006
Tracks 16
Label Acrobat
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What The Critics Say
Singer Ronnie McDowell launched his career with a novelty hit about Elvis' death and has spent much of his career doing King-related things, so it's easy to overlook his fine contributions to country music over the past two decades. This lively new project shows that with the right material he can still be in fine form with the help of his band, the Rhythm Kings. "Gimme Some More" is spirited honky tonk pop fun, while "Amazing Grace" isn't the hymn but a colorful lament for a girl who loved the song. Unlike most popular country singers who rely solely on the material of others, McDowell writes a good half of these songs, including the clever "Treat Me Like a Dog," the poignant "Linda, You're Losing a Good Thing," and the lust-filled punchy rocker "Is It Hot in Here." It's doubtful that this will knock guys from the new generation off the charts, but it's good to see there's still a fire burning in the members of the old guard. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Ronnie McDowell with Bill Pinkney's Original Drifters'
Release Date 9/17/2002
Tracks 14
Label Curb
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What The Critics Say
Any project that finds a playful version of The Little Mermaid's "Kiss the Girl" appropriate is obviously something conceived in a tropical wonderland. Veteran country singer Ronnie McDowell takes a break from the honky tonkin' and teams up with the legendary doo wop-era group the Drifters to create a fun, reggae-influenced trip down to the islands (that takes a few detours through the history of rock & roll). Classics include "Honey Love" and a moody rendering of "For Your Precious Love," while McDowell's own sense of novelty songwriting leads to the inspired "I Wanna Shag With You" and "Boardwalk Girl." The closing number, "Shama Lama Ding Dong," blends the best of the two worlds together. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Elvis: A Tribute to the King'
Release Date 6/24/1997
Tracks 20
Label Intersound
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'When a Man Loves a Woman'
Release Date 1/1/1992
Tracks 10
Label Curb
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What The Critics Say
On Your Precious Love, McDowell covers a number of soul classics, including "Lover's Question" and, of course, "For Your Precious Love." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
'A Tribute to the King'
Release Date 1/1/1979
Tracks 24
Label Scorpion
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What The Critics Say
This album came about after an August 1992 concert commemorating the 15th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. McDowell, who in addition to being a country star had emulated Elvis for television soundtracks, asked Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, and the Jordanaires -- all of whom had played on Presley's early recordings -- if they wanted to do a recording project. A Tribute to the King was the result. Perhaps if popular music was a math equation, this would be the formula for the best possible emulation of Presley in the singer's absence: the most competent Elvis soundalike, teamed with the surviving musicians most important to supporting Presley on record. McDowell sounds more like Elvis than just about any lounge imitator. These are faithful covers of many of the hits from Elvis' early career, from "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Love Me Tender" to the best of his early-'60s tracks, like "His Latest Flame (Marie's the Name)" and "(You're The) Devil in Disguise." McDowell only covers songs from Presley's first decade, feeling (and he has a strong argument) that this was Elvis' good period. The backing is agreeably competent, the arrangements sometimes straight-ahead and sometimes disagreeably slicked-up with contemporary production. The two non-Elvis-identified songs are a remake of McDowell's 1977 tribute hit, "The King Is Gone," and another Presley-inspired tribute, "Tupelo's Too Far." ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
