The ‘Renaissance Man’ is FINALLY back with this long-awaited release.  Warner’s first offering in nearly three years, “Train of Life” is jam-packed with inviting songs, containing fourteen original tracks along with three bonus cuts.  Warner once again proves what a fine songwriter he is with this compilation containing lyrics that are often pensive, sometimes humorous and at other times filled with challenge and conviction – but always honest and authentic.  He continues to come up with material in true Americana style that remains faithful to form but yet is always fresh and new.  All songs are Warner originals with the exception of two which were co-written with Jeep Rosenburg and a cover of the Ray Davies song “Sunny Afternoon”.  In addition to his band, The Rolling Coyotes (Nancy Lynn, Andy Mosholder and Elliot Simon), Steve is joined by a group of top notch musicians whose contributions make the arrangements on this collection his finest to date.  Master fiddler Chuck Haskins, mandolinist Jeff Rezin and percussionist Sam Stilwell add new dimension to many of the cuts.  The guitar stylings of Tom Proutt add a memorable sound to several other cuts while co-writer Rosenburg provides additional lead guitar and backing vocals to round out the collection.  

Warner’s lyrics are clever, interesting and entertaining.  As usual, some of the songs on the CD just beg for toe-tapping.  There’s the light-hearted, boy-ain’t-that-the-truth love song, “Better Off With You (Than Alone)”, the easy-as-a-breeze “Blues on a Sunny Day” and the upbeat “Rise and Shine” that will lift you up and drop you right at the farmer’s gate.   Warner tackles the current state of the national economy in “Brokenville” and “Stimuli” and calls attention to the plight of returning soldiers in “The War Has Just Begun”.  Every Warner CD contains at least one truly beautiful love song, and the treasure of this collection is “Old Lover’s Heart”, a sweet reflection on love discovered late in life.  

All of the songs in this collection express Warner’s eagle-eye perspective on what is and his faith and hope for what is possible.  Take this collection home, grab your favorite beverage then sit back and enjoy the songs of a master craftsman.
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