03.16.06 Music Row Magazine DISClaimer STEPHEN SIMMONS | Drink Ring Jesus I turned handsprings over this Nashville singer-songwriter’s debut CD last year. I remain a major fan. The title tune to his latest continues his explorations on the themes of sin and redemption. It also reminds us of the power that a stark voice and guitar can have. This is a direct hit to the heart. – Robert K. Ooermann  07.05.05 Music Row Magazine DISClaimer STEPHEN SIMMONS | Last Call One of the things that keeps drawing me back to the Americana genre is the awesome number of songwriters that it embraces. Any movement that includes Jeff Black, Rodney Crowell, Stacy Earle, Stephen Simmons, Eric Heatherly and Adrienne Young is OK in my book. These people make records that are so superior to those of the country stars they share this city with. Records that say something. Records with refreshing sounds. Yes, I find it frustrating that Americana programming focuses on a full album, rather than on an individual tune (which drives virtually every other genre). But when you've got people this gifted, what else can you do? Besides, there's something charmingly retro about that. I'm a little late in coming to this party, but allow me to add my voice to the chorus of critical praise that this Nashville writer-artist has been getting. He's got a dark, drawling way with words and a ragged-but-right, roots-rock sound that are both utterly compelling on this title tune. Some of the other tracks are acoustic-guitar folk on this generous, 16-track showcase of this extraordinary troubadour. The overriding themes are sin and redemption, and that's about as elemental as it gets. – Robert K. Oermann