Best remembered for his 1973 smash "My Maria," singer/songwriter B.W. Stevenson (the "B.W." reportedly stood for "Buckwheat" -- his real first name was Lewis) was born October 5, 1949, in Dallas, TX. As a teen he played in a variety of local rock bands before attending college, eventually joining the U.S. Air Force; upon returning from duty Stevenson settled in the Austin area, where he became a frequent attraction on the city's thriving club circuit. Upon signing to RCA he was marketed primarily to country listeners, enjoying little success with either his 1972 self-titled debut or its follow-up, Lead Free.
by Jason Ankeny
This two-fer CD combines B.W. Stevenson's self-titled 1971 debut album with Lead Free, released the following year. Originally these LPs were released separately on RCA, and had been out of print until they were reissued in 2004 on Collectables. This pleasant and lite country-pop set highlights many original Stevenson compositions, including "Early Morning Memphis,""Highway One,""Save a Little Time for Love," and "Lonesome Song."
by Al Campbell
Tracks
1. Like What You Do - 2:38
2. Early Morning Memphis - 2:31
3. My Feet Are So Weary - 3:51
4. Waitin' For Spring - 4:33
5. Gypsies - 3:25
6. Don't Go To Mexico (Dan McCrimmon) - 2:38
7. August Evening Lady - 3:21
8. Peaceful Easy Feeling (Jack Tempchin) - 3:23
9. A Touch Of Pennsylvania (Dave Loggins) - 3:42
10.Minuet For My Lady - 2:54
11.Maybe Mexico (Jerry Jeff Walker) - 2:46
12.Jackson - 2:12
13.Save A Little Time For Love - 2:18
14.Lonesome Song - 3:11
15.Wasted Too Much Time - 4:06
16.Long Way To Go (Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil) - 2:20
17.Highway One - 3:37
18.Two Track Road (B.W. Stevenson, Brian T. Atkinson) - 0:39
19.Say What I Feel (Mike Murphey) - 2:10
20.Texas Morning (Boomer Castleman, Mike Murphey) - 3:26
21.Home Again (Carole King) - 2:28
22.On My Own - 4:52
Words and Music by B.W. Stevenson except where indicated
Musicians
1972 Lead Free
*B.W. Stevenson - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
*Dean Parks - Acoustic Guitar
*Larry Murray - Vocals
*Linda Dillard - Vocals
*Thad Maxwell Vocals
*Emory Gordy, Jr - Bass
*Jimmy Gordon - Drums
*Dennis St. John - Drums
*Gib Guilbeau - Fiddle, Backing Vocals
*Mickey Raphael - Harmonica
*Larry Muhoberac - Piano
*Red Rhodes - Steel Guitar
1972 B.W. Stevenson
*B.W. Stevenson - Guitar, Vocals
*Ronald Steele - Acoustic, Rhythm Guitars
*Ed Shook - Vocals
*Kitty Appling - Vocals
*Shane Appling - Bass
*Sid Sims - Bass
*Don Simmons - Drums
*Pat Ferreri - Electric Guitar
*Mickey Raphael - Harmonica, Noises
*Ray Tate - Pedal Steel Guitar
*Ed Shook - Percussion
*Richard Silen - Percussion
*Pat Ferreri - Rhythm, Twelve-String Guitars
*Brian Christian - Tambourine