By Dan MacIntosh Indie Music.Com Ken Collier loves to play. And due to this ten-song CD’s overall musical playfulness, you’ll likely also love his playing as well. He opens with one called “Dishpan Hands,” where he says his girl “loves the man with dishpan hands.” It’s a bit of a role reversal, as you'll never see men complaining this way in dishwashing detergent commercials. Perhaps it’s even an answer song to the old “Shake, Rattle & Roll." Collier has even more fun with a country song titled “The Bank of Love." In it, he wittily admits, “The bank of love is empty on account of you.” Furthermore, “Ain’t Got The Blues, Blues” sings the anti-blues of not having the blues at all. Collier is not all fun and games, however. He switches from blues backing to acoustic Spanish guitar (provided by axe man Steve Wilbanks); a track that also features Cindy Terry’s pretty backing vocals. “Angel Without Wings” is a particularly sweet song that features Collier’s spot-on harmonica playing. Collier also knows how to play good old rock & roll, which is evidenced by “Show You How To Rock & Roll," which flows along with its plunking piano and slide guitar. This CD’s best groove is found on “Didn’t Get It," which is driven by funky acoustic guitar and Blues Traveler-like harmonica. Wilbanks’ lead guitar fills also give the track plenty of spicy musical color. Collier also deserves a commendation for his vocal phrasing on it– especially during the song's chorus. It’s propulsive in a pre-Michael McDonald Doobie Brothers kind of way. Love To Play doesn’t make any grand statements, and Ken Collier isn’t out to change the world. Instead, he had a ton of fun in the studio and it shows through in the music. Sadly, there are too many “serious” artists out there trying to make the perfect pop song or the most intricate concept album. But these perfectionists oftentimes take all the fun out of the music in the process. Not so with Collier, however. You can hear it in the naturally casual sound of his voice and the intentional silliness in some of his lyrics. Love To Play comes off like a loose, living room show. Nevertheless, the recording of these quality songs is uncluttered, yet clear. An artist that loves playing is useless if he doesn’t also have listeners who love to hear him do his thing. And a feeling of love is mutual here, for both player and listener alike. Indie-Music ProfileIndie-Music Profile

"Collier is cooler than most of the rootsy rockers out there. Anyone who sings a dishwasher love song gets two sudsy thumbs up in this former pearl divers book!" Waymon Timbsdale, Rocktober Magazine.

“Love To Play” Local singer/songwriter Ken Collier has put together ten songs that cover a wide range of genres, primarily bluesy country rock and love tunes with catchy hooks. I have a couple favorites - “Dishpan Hands” which is another take on domestic chores and, “Ain’t Got The Blues, Blues,” which surprisingly enough is a blues! Ken does most of the heavy lifting on this CD - playing guitar, bass, keyboards,harmonica and lead vocals. This is not to say he doesn’t have some heavy hitting friends helping him out here and there. You can also find Steve Wilbanks on lead guitar, Dan Bernard on drums, Kerrville’s own Cindy Terry on background vocals and Terry Penney burning some great leads. The project was recorded in San Marcos at Strategem Studio with guitarist Steve Wilbanks doing the audio tweaking and Soothsayer Studio in San Antonio and E. Pinson turning the knobs. After mastering by Jerry Tubb in Austin, Ken has a fat sounding CD of his best material. You can get the CD through CD Baby or visit one of Ken’s sites: kensongs4u.com and on MySpace at myspace.com/kencolliersongs. GF Hill Country Happenings Magazine