Darrell Scott
A Crooked Road
Review By Steven Stone
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  Trust me when I say it's harder to write a review when you're a fan. I've been into Darrell Scott ever since I heard him play and sing duets with Tim O'Brien on Real Time. He just might be the greatest thing since PBJ sandwiches at 2:00 AM. Scott's latest, A Crooked Road, compounds my awe of his musical talent.

Born in 1959, in London, KY, Scott spent his first years in Gary, Indiana. After high school Darrell migrated to Boston where he attended Tufts University where between coffee house gigs Scott earned a degree in poetry. After Tufts Scott moved to Nashville, TN, to begin a career in country music. At first it was his picking, whether playing guitar, banjo, or mandolin that got him into music row's inner circles. Scott played on albums from Guy Clark, Steve Earle, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless.

With his sideman career at the point where he could make a living, Scott turned attention to his songwriting. In 1997 Scott released Aloha from Nashville, which included the song "You'll Never Leave Harlan Alive." Covered by Patty Loveless and Brad Paisley, this song opened doors for his other songs. Since then, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, and The Dixie Chicks have recorded Scott's compositions.

A Crooked Road contains twenty original tunes on two CDs. Although none of the songs have been released in studio versions, Scott's fans have been listening to live versions on Scott's website for some time. The new studio treatments feature more elaborate arrangements but pack the same powerful emotional punch. Every time I listen I'm more impressed by not only his lyrical facility but also the highly seductive melodies. If you don't fall in love with A Crooked Road you simply have no heart. 

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