The SteelDrivers (album)

{{Infobox album

| name = The SteelDrivers

| type = Studio

| artist = The SteelDrivers

| cover = File:The_SteelDrivers_-_The_SteelDrivers_Cover.jpg

| alt =

| released = {{start date|2008|1|15}}

| recorded =

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Country, bluegrass

| length = 35:50

| label = Rounder Records

| producer = {{hlist|Luke Wooten|The Steeldrivers}}

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Reckless

| next_year = 2010

}}

The SteelDrivers is the eponymous debut album by The SteelDrivers. It was released by Rounder Records on January 15, 2008.

Critical reception

{{Album ratings

|rev1 = PopMatters

|rev1Score = {{Rating|7|10}}{{cite web |url=https://www.popmatters.com/the-steeldrivers-the-steeldrivers-2496192737.html |title=The SteelDrivers: The SteelDrivers |last=Short |first=Robert |date=14 January 2008 |website=popmatters.com |publisher=PopMatters |access-date=31 January 2020 |quote=}}

|rev2 = Slant Magazine

|rev2Score = {{Rating|3.5|5}}{{cite web |url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/music/the-steeldrivers-the-steeldrivers/ |title=Review: The Steeldrivers, The Steeldrivers |last=Keefe |first=Jonathan |date=13 January 2008 |website=slantmagazine.com |publisher=Slant Magazine |access-date=31 January 2020|quote=}}

}}

Cybergrass writes, "When originally released, the album peaked at #57 on the Billboard Country Albums chart,{{cite web |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-steeldrivers/chart-history/CLP |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205012422/https://www.billboard.com/music/The-SteelDrivers/chart-history/CLP |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |title=Billboard - Top Country Albums |last= |first= |date=14 March 2008 |website=billboard.com |publisher=Billboard |access-date=31 January 2020 |quote=}} and garnered a GRAMMY® nomination{{cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/steeldrivers |title=GRAMMY Award Results for SteelDrivers |last= |first= |date= |website=grammy.com |publisher=GRAMMY |access-date=31 January 2020 |quote=}} for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for "Blue Side of the Mountain.""{{cite web |url=http://www.cybergrass.com/node/5666#sthash.dv1Mr2m2.dpbs |title=he SteelDrivers' 2008 Debut Album Now on Vinyl |last= |first= |date=31 January 2017 |website=cybergrass.com |publisher=Cybergrass |access-date=31 January 2020 |quote=}}

Robert Short of PopMatters gives the album 7 out of a possible 10 stars and says, "After road-testing the material in clubs and festivals, the band is finally ready to unveil their debut set of eleven originals. Amongst its other industry vets, fiddler Tammy Rogers, mandolin player Mike Henderson, bassist Mike Fleming, and banjo player Richard Bailey, these players have performed and recorded with everyone from Al Green to Waylon Jennings, Reba McEntire to Bo Diddley."

Jonathan Keefe of Slant Magazine gives the album 3½ out of a possible 5 stars and writes, "the self-titled debut for The SteelDrivers, a five-piece outfit {{sic|comprised |hide=y|of}} veteran Nashville session musicians, is the kind of break from tradition that can bring some much needed new energy to a tired genre."

Track listing

{{tracklisting

| all_writing = Chris Stapleton and Mike Henderson, unless otherwise noted

| total_length = 35:50

| title1 = Blue Side of the Mountain

| length1 = 3:28

| title2 = Drinkin' Dark Whiskey

| length2 = 2:53

| title3 = Midnight Train to Memphis

| length3 = 3:02

| title4 = Midnight Tears

| writer4 = {{hlist|Chris Stapleton|Jerry Salley}}

| length4 = 2:55

| title5 = If You Can't Be Good, Be Gone

| length5 = 2:30

| title6 = If It Hadn't Been for Love

| length6 = 3:58

| title7 = Hear the Willow Cry

| writer7 = {{hlist|Chris Stapleton|Liz Hengber}}

| length7 = 2:57

| title8 = Sticks That Made Thunder

| length8 = 4:08

| title9 = East Kentucky Home

| length9 = 2:37

| title10 = To Be With You Again

| length10 = 3:34

| title11 = Heaven Sent

| writer11 = {{hlist|Chris Stapleton|Kevin Welch}}

| length11 = 3:48

}}

Notes

  • Chris Stapleton recorded a solo version of "Midnight Train to Memphis" on his album From A Room: Volume 2 (2017).

Musicians

Production

  • Mastered by Luke Wooten
  • Mixed by Luke Wooten
  • Produced by Luke Wooten, The SteelDrivers

Track information and credits verified from the album's liner notes.{{Cite AV media notes |title=The SteelDrivers |others=The SteelDrivers|type=liner notes |year=2008 |publisher=Rounder |id=11661-0598-2}}

References

{{Reflist}}