
When Lisa Jacobi ran her interview with John Cowan earlier this month, she must have used the word “compass” nine or ten times. Was she getting a vibe from Cowan about his next move, or perhaps trying to telegraph news that she had accepted in confidence?
In either event, the word is out. Compass Records has announced that Cowan has signed with the label, and that his next album, SIXTY, will be released some time this summer.
As has been his long-time approach, the style will be a mix of his wide and varied musical interests. Over the past 35 years he has worked in bluegrass, rock and blues, putting his unique vocal skills at the service of one or all. He has selected his current Doobie Brothers bandmate John McPhee as producer, and they have been tracking of late with guests like Alison Krauss, Leon Russell, Sam Bush and Rodney Crowell.
There haven’t been many other details disclosed to this point, but we’ll be sure to update what we may learn.