Americana Music at Its Best, June 9, 2006
author: South Carolina Wino (Charleston, SC USA)
This follow-up to "from the beginning" melds the best of Americana and roots rock and comes out smelling like a rose, a dixie rose that is. Michael kicks it off with the title track "Who's Bad Now" about one hot momma that many of us have known and a few of us have been lucky enough to marry (hope my wife reads this one). Don't forget to saddle up the horse and rollick to the best rodeo tune I've laid my ears on in "Cowboy Ride", now if I could just get rid of that smell. If you've ever experienced the Austin, Texas music scene just close your eyes and let Michael take you back on "Austin". Grab your beer and try to hold it together as he kicks the habit on "96 Tears" and find out what it takes to make a man feel "Better".
So when all is said and done Who's Bad Now? After a listen or two Michael ONeill is. Here's hoping the Grey Troubadour keeps rocking with heart and soul for many more releases.
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Passionate, playful, heartbreaking and explosive come to mind while listening to
author: Robert Bartosh, Roots Music Report GM
Sleeping Trout Music has just released “Who’s Bad Now” - one of most prolific sounding Roots/Americana Country albums of 2006. This album features the songwriting and vocal genius of Michael Oneill and is tailor made for the Roots/Americana Country music enthusiast. Michael’s songwriting is passionate and seems to reflect life as he has lived it. Passionate, playful, heartbreaking and explosive come to mind while listening to this CD. This is definitely not a ‘run of the mill’ release and it covers the gamut of musical genres from Roots Rock to down home True Country. “Who’s Bad Now” will take any music lover on one of the most enjoyable rides of their life.
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Michael ONeill’s soul is from the Lone Star State
author: Al Kunz
MICHAEL ONEILL
WHO'S BAD NOW (SLEEPING TROUT)
Michael ONeill’s soul is from the Lone Star State. His latest seamlessly slides from singer-songwriter, to country crooner, and on to rocked-up country with a detour into Cajun country for his cover of Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken.” That’s something you’d expect from a three-named Texas singer, not a songwriter from the Pacific Northwest. Highlights are “96 Tears” (which isn’t a ? and the Mysterians cover) and a road trip report, “Austin,” that captures the spirit of that city the same way that Marc Cohn’s hit “Walking in Memphis” took you to the River City. | Al Kunz
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" Who’s Bad Now " is going to hit the red dirt circuit by storm
author: Keith Howerton
The 10 songs on his just-released record showcase Michael ONeill not only as a songwriter, but also as a performer. Released on Michael’s own label, Sleeping Trout Records, Who’s Bad Now and the single of the same name are going to hit the red dirt circuit by storm. "Who’s Bad Now" is a rocking song that describes a girl who fills out a pair of jeans and can dance like she has a pole in her bedroom. I think most guys can relate. There are other great quality songs on the record as well. “Cowboy Ride”, “Austin”, and a cover of Little Feat’s “Dixie Chicken” are three of note. Michael is a grizzled veteran of the music business and has toured and recorded with just about everyone, including Stevie Ray Vaughan. On his website Michael describes his own music as “coming at you like a freight train full of candy”. Michael will be on a Texas tour soon. Look for dates and don’t miss him live. We won’t. (Review by Keith Howerton)
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