12.20.04 The Tennessean Stephen Simmons takes spiritual journey on new album England’s Mojo magazine recently mentioned Music City troubadour Stephen Simmons as someone whose music is following in the footsteps of dearly departed Johnny Cash. That doesn’t mean Simmons sounds a thing like Cash; he doesn’t. Then again, nobody sounds like Johnny Cash, except folks who are trying to imitate him. And Simmons isn’t out to imitate. Like Cash, though, his songs are often studies of sin and varying levels of redemption. Simmons was raised amid spiritual certainties in the Church of Christ, but Last Call is more about questions than answers. It’s a tense set of songs – Simmons publishes his work through the aptly titled Downguy Music – with the singer proclaiming, "There’s a dirty side of me that you ain’t ever seen," and "Pray Jesus ain’t around, man, to see me bow down." There’s an album-ending proclamation of "sweet salvation," but the ride there passes through some harrowing territories. Simmons’ voice is an edgy instrument that sounds wise and lived-in, belying the "young buck" tag given him by Mojo. At times on Last Call, that voice is augmented by sparse instrumentation that recalls Bruce Springsteen’s plaintive Nebraska album. In other places, producer Eric Fritsch opts for a roots-rock approach. Nashville all-stars including guitarist Kenny Vaughan, bass man Dave Jacques and drummer Paul Griffith ensure that transitions are seamless. Influences including Springsteen and Steve Earle are apparent, but Last Call reveals Simmons as a thoughtful, perceptive, emotionally riveting new voice. Unavailable at big-box retail outlets, the album may be purchased at Grimey’s, at Tower Records or on the Internet through stephensimmonsmusic.com – Peter Cooper