The blues is dominated by guitar players. Everywhere you look there are little Stevies, Erics, Jimis and Kings of various denominations running around trying to squeeze in another 96-bar solo. So it's refreshing to receive an album of solo piano blues. Lord knows you can count the CD's of Australian blues piano on two hands, with a few digits left, and most of these will be taken up by Andy Cowan and Jan Preston (God bless 'em). Owen hails from far North Queensland, now resides just north of Brisbane, and began playing guitar and piano at five. By twelve he was playing euphonium in a brass band, at eighteen he won North Queensland Entertainer of the Year, and had a publishing deal at 25. Along the way he has opened for Kate Ceberano, Charley Pride and Peter Paul & Mary, and seems to have arrived at the blues after playing just about everything else. But is he any good? Well, yes he is. This 13-tracker is all original material, recorded in one session on a century-old upright, and shows a deep appreciation of the blues and boogie pianists of the 20's and 30's, including Champion Jack Dupree. Owen's songwriting shows more exposure to pop and show tunes, but his somewhat wordy constructions do work well over the mostly rocking keyboard work, with solid left-hand rhythm and nicely rolling ornamentation from the right. His subject matter strays delightfully from the usual narrow blues focus, and intriguing titles include 'Henry the Hippopotamus', 'The Womb' and 'Anywheresville'. Owen's throaty tenor singing style is slightly mannered but suits the material pleasantly. Owen Gray is a real find, and on the strength of this CD I would really like to see him live. This recording demonstrates a fully formed blues talent with real depth and originality. Well worth chasing up. Mark Doherty October 2002 Rhythms Magazine - ISSUE 123 Australia's Roots Music

Just Owen, his big voice and a hundred year old piano... Let me start by saying I love this album! Just Owen, his big voice and a hundred year old piano, 13 great original songs, energy, emotion and 45 minutes. It's refreshing to hear someone stepping out of the usual guitar-bass-drums format, with nowhere to hide! The most extraordinary thing about this album is that it was recorded in just 90 minutes: what you're hearing is raw and uncensored. Owen's voice is sure and strong, expressing the full gamut of human emotion with an undoubting conviction. His mastery of the piano too, is without doubt as he traverses the soulful melancholy of Emma's Lament, before heading into the full-tilt boogie of Gift of Healing. The songs pull you in; evocative lyrics and rhythms that won't be denied. Make sure you're somewhere you can dance by the time that little laser searches out Rock Steady! Best of all Owen Gray is a local lad, hailing from the gentle hills of Maleny. He's explored the diverse territories of gospel, country and pop but on this album, he's settled to the blues. Let's hope he lingers for a while. Helen Farley Editor - The Groove - September 2002 edition Blues Association of South-East Queensland

The real Owen, it turns out, is a one-man musical phenomenon. A gifted ivory-tickler in his own right, Owen has the singular ability to play broad and beautiful chords, pumping bass runs, and brilliantly sparkling melodies simultaneously. You would swear two pianos (and sometimes three) are going at the same time. While this album is essentially Owen's take on the blues, it also showcases an amazing variety of jazz, roots and gospel influences as well - all awash with the honky tonk stylings that run through this album like a freight train. I personally love his vocals - there's a lot of richness in there and I think that's one of the aspects that really stand out in the recording. The second stand out, obviously is his piano playing. Just amazing stuff! I don't know what else to say. Paul Fogarty