TAKE ME SLOW by Ray Younkin
The role of the troubadour is a time-honored one, even in the age where lyrical integrity is bypassed by sleek production values and commercial appeal. The true songwriter, one who tends to fall between categories, often tends to carve their own niche. Yet the best of these — James Taylor, Townes Van Zandt, Eric Taylor, and Peter Hammill, to name a few — remain at the forefront because of their own distinct voice. Thus enters Ray Younkin, who displays all of the characteristics of the full-blood troubadour. Confirmation of this is clear with his album, Take Me Slow. The ballads herein deliver, both in terms of melody and lyrics. Topics range from native and adoptive homes (“Two Lands”) to love in its many forms (“She Loves the Rain”, “Your Superman”, “Rainbow Girl”). Especially potent is “Alice’s Eyes,” a loving memorial to a life reaching its conclusion:

“Open for a century, the last thing left to close,
was a pair of soft blue eyes that watched a changing world compose.”

Younkin’s voice carries its own strength, reminiscent of Neil Diamond at his youthful peak in the early seventies, but with a unique subtlety. Production is handled by Robbie Parrish, whose past association includes their group endeavor, The Cry, with Anita Kruse and Robert Woodrich. The production is clean and rich, and may be Robbie’s best work to date. Supporting musicians include Parrish, Kruse, David Munday, Marlan Barry, Brennan Nase, and James Metcalf. Also lending vocals on eight of the twelve songs is the incomparable Sandy Stewart. Ray Younkin’s songs resonate best on the emotional level, and he displays an affinity for projecting these feeling directly into the heart of the listener. This is, in essence, his gift. As he says in the title track, “So take my word – you’re all I’ll ever need, when you lead me on and take me slow.”

David Welling 2006