THE TORONTO STAR

Romi Mayes
Sweet Somethin' Steady

4 STARS

Winnipeg songwriter Mayes has spent the best part of the last five years living on the lonesome folk highway, earning her roots boots.

With her debut CD, produced by American roots veteran Gurf Morlix and featuring the stellar slide and dobro work of former Fred Eaglesmith sidekick Dan Walsh, drummer/guitarist Chris Carmichael and bassist Scott Nolan, she has created a little masterpiece, a collection of raw, vivid, confessional songs. Built largely around picked arpeggios on acoustic guitars and melodies with hauntingly familiar hooks, the album also includes a couple of crunchy, slide-driven electric pieces ("The Other Dame," "Desperately") that suggest Mayes is no stranger to rock 'n' roll. We'll hear more from her.

- Greg Quill