Quotes
What are they saying
"Scotlands answer to Josh Rouse" - Americana UK, 7 out of 10
"Owens soars on a handful of first rate originals. Whisky Hearts is a chance to look into the soul of a man that has lived the songs he has written" - Maverick ****
"In my sexy opinion young Dean is the Johnny Cash of Scotland so we should treat him with respect. Normal Johnny was quite hard. Imagine if he had been from Scotland, he'd've been a menace. For gods sake buy this record before he re-offends" - Russell Brand (BBC Radio 2)
"An infectious collection of songs; a boisterous, rootsy record with a wistful heart" - Gretchen Peters
"Dean Owens has soul" - Eddi Reader
"Dean Owens is a very strong voice in the current resurgence of country rock/americana. His style of singing is powerful and right on target" - Al Perkins (Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons)
"Dean Owens brings his large talent and the Scots ballad tradition over to Tennessee and emerges with a record full of fine tales, lovely singin' and a warm inviting sound. Check it out!" - JD Foster (Producer/musician - Calexico, Richmond Fontaine, Willy Mason, Patty Griffin)
"I really love this new album! It's "fresh" but classic Dean Owens. When I hear his melodies, I can't resist singing along. I'm sure I'm not alone on that one - Suzy Bogguss
"To me, with the title track "Whisky Hearts" and the poignant "Man From Leith" in particular, both inspired by his native Edinburgh, Dean has captured that longstanding Scottish love affair with classic American songwriting, but given it his own undeniably Scottish heart. It's classy stuff - Karine Polwart
"I love this record. Soulful, mournful, well written and catchy as all hell. Dean's outdone himself" - Will Kimbrough
"Dean is a truly fantastic performer and songwriter and I reckon with this new album he has created a classic marriage of compelling vocal takes,songs that resonate with the depth of life in Scotland's capital city and the unmistakable sound and feel of a classic Americana record. I just wish it was being released on my label"! - Donald Shaw (Vertical Records & Artistic Director - Celtic Connections)
"As both a writer and performer Dean Owens continues to develop his craft and mature as an artist. Listening to the songs on this latest record, it�s easy to see why some of the best session musicians in Nashville are lining up to work with him. "Dean is one of Scotland�s most highly regarded singer-songwriters but deserves wider recognition for his music. Whisky Hearts could be the album that finds him the audience he deserves" - Bryan Burnett (Presenter - BBC Radio Scotland)
"After more years making music than his youthful enthusiasm suggests, the former Felson has turned out a career-best record. His early pop rock expression has now been fully integrated with more recent explorations of country and roots, creating a musical skin Owens finally seems comfortable in. Recorded in Nashville with contributions from serious players such as Will Kimbrough and Al Perkins, he wears his Scottish heart on his musical sleeve in 'Man From Leith'. Whisky Hearts may be the record on which Dean Owens finally arrived." - Colin Somerville (Scotland on Sunday)
Dean Owens
“Dean Owens is a genuine one-off... His words are direct, unswerving and deeply personal; his lyrical clarity refreshing. Narratives are both deeply autobiographical and evocative third person - all of which work equally well... Owens has moved beyond the formula of Americana and into the wide world, which is often joyful, sometimes sad, but rarely dull. A triumph.” – Mark Robertson, List Magazine
“Dean Owens is perhaps the most engaging singer-songwriter in Scotland today.” – Irvine Welsh, NY Times
“In my sexy opinion young Dean is the Johnny Cash of Scotland so we should treat him with respect. Normal Johnny was quite hard. Imagine if he had been from Scotland, he'd've been a menace. For gods sake buy this record before he re-offends” – Russell Brand (BBC Radio 2)
“Dean Owens has soul” – Eddi Reader
“Dean's music is full of soul and tells stories that need telling, sung in a voice that keeps drawing you back in” – Will Kimbrough
Barbara Carter
The artwork for Whisky Hearts features some paintings by the artist Barbara Carter bcarter59@mac.com. Barbara Carter is pleased to announce: Paintings by Barbara Carter