New Bowersox album expected as soon as March

1/9/2013

Expect a new album from northwest Ohio native Crystal Bowersox as soon as March.

Her new label Shanachie Entertainment had a notice on its Web site Tuesday saying Bowersox is in the studio working on new material and reportedly she will record in Los Angeles or Nashville. She told The Blade last year that she had been working on songs in Santa Fe, N.M., with producer Jono Morrison.

A news release Tuesday said she is collaborating with Steve Berlin, a member of Los Lobos who has produced albums by John Lee Hooker, Sheryl Crow, Raul Malo, and others. Jakob Dylan will guest on the release and most of the songs are expected to be originals.

Bowersox, who could not be reached for comment, is an Elliston, Ohio, native who came of age artistically in Toledo-area bars. She is the 2010 American Idol runner-up and now lives in Portland, Ore., with her husband Brian Walker and son Tony. Her first album, "Farmer's Daughter," was released in 2010 and sold more than 200,000 copies.

In interviews with The Blade and other media, Bowersox has discussed how happy and content she is with life now and said that optimism is reflected in her new music.

"I feel like I'm finally achieving a sense of balance in my life and it's making itself evident in my new material," Bowersox said in a press release announcing the new album. "My career is really still in its infancy and the possibilities are limitless. This will be my second studio album and I'm excited to see what happens. The silvery residue from Idol has faded a bit and now it's all about what's true and real in my world."

It is safe to assume that her new music will not feature the slick, mainstream production of her first album, which was released on the 19 Recordings/Jive label and featured the commercial marketing muscle of American Idol. In concert the songs took on a much more earthy, stripped down approach which served them well.

Bowersox toured some last summer and appeared on one song on the 2012 Blues Traveler album "Suzie Cracks the Whip." She also released a five-song EP of older material that was recorded prior to her appearance on American Idol.

She signed to the Shanachie label in October. The Shanachie label also includes renowned artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Ofra Haza. It was formed in New York in 1975 and has a diverse roster of groups and solo acts.

Contact Rod Lockwood at: rlockwood@theblade.com or 419-724-6159.