Sean Oliver Music

Known as the "Uncle Sean" of Uncle Sean and the Shifty Drifters on his previous two releases ("Drinkin' Ramblin' Honky Tonkin'", 2011 and "Honky Tonk Heart", 2013), one could say Sean Oliver has gone back to simpler roots by adopting his own name for his new release "Songs Left To Sing", which features nine of his new original songs.

The album leads off with the twangy slow burn of "Tried To Walk Away", and while the first few songs lean towards "Americana" as the album builds to the horn-infused rocker "Anything You Want", long-time fans need not fear as the album returns to familiar honky tonk territory by the time the duet "Two-Stepping For One" and the Waylon Jennings cover "Freedom To Stay" roll around. The album features a breadth of songwriting from somber ballads to two-stepping saloon shuffles, covering familiar roots and country themes from heartbreak to substance use, sin to salvation, with a variety of twists and turns along its dusty, debris-strewn road.

Recorded in Ottawa by Stephen K. Donnelly (The Kingmakers, Mike Plume, KJ Thomas) at his studio Tenvolt Audio, the album features a mix of instrumentation from Oliver's acoustic guitar to the instrumental contributions of various Ottawa musical mainstays including piano and organ (Jim McDowell - Tulips and Devilships, KJ Thomas), fiddle (Karolyne Lafortune), accordion (Robert Alexander), pedal steel (Stuart Rutherford - Dusty Drifters), trumpet (Evan Dalling), upright bass, electric and baritone guitar, harmonica and mandolin (Donnelly).

Songs Left To Sing explores new ground without leaving behind its honky tonk roots.