One Left Shoe
Studio album by
Steve Poltz
Released1998
StudioOcean Way Recording[1]
LabelMercury[2]
ProducerJ. Steven Soles
Steve Poltz chronology
One Left Shoe
(1998)		 Live at Largo
(2000)

One Left Shoe is the solo debut album by the American musician Steve Poltz, released in 1998.[3][4] The first single was "Silver Lining".[5] Poltz, at the time, expected to record again with the Rugburns, and considered One Left Shoe to be a "sensitive" folk excursion.[6]

Poltz promoted the album by playing shows with, among others, Richard X. Heyman and Lisa Loeb.[7][8] He also took part in the "Frasier Fair" tour (so named by Rufus Wainwright), with John Doe, Pete Droge, and Glen Phillips.[9]

Production

Recorded in 15 days, the album was produced by J. Steven Soles.[10][11][12] Four of its songs were cowritten by Jewel, who also provided backing vocals.[13][14] Jim Keltner, Leland Sklar, Benmont Tench, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones' horn section were among the musicians who played on One Left Shoe.[15][16][17] Jimmie Haskell arranged the strings; Van Dyke Parks also contributed during the recording sessions.[18][19]

"Forbidden Fruit" is about an interaction with a prostitute.[20] "I Thought I Saw You Last Night" was inspired by the death of a friend.[21]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[22]
The Indianapolis Star[23]
Los Angeles Daily News[24]
Los Angeles TimesA[6]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide[12]
The Province[25]
Rolling Stone[18]
Telegraph-Journal[26]
Toronto Sun[20]

Salon determined that, "particularly when it wanders off the straight folkie path, One Left Shoe sounds better than it reads."[27] The Los Angeles Daily News called the album "a gentle and amusing acoustic collection that avoids the furrowed-brow introspection of similar singer-songwriter debuts."[24] The Province labeled it "a reflective, folksy singer-writer album of quiet charm and some sleepiness."[25]

The Washington Post stated that "Poltz wisely sticks to his strengths: pleasant, Randy Newman-ish melodies and whimsical delivery."[28] The Telegraph-Journal advised: "Think Jackson Browne with the seventies sincerity turfed out, replaced by nineties irony."[26] The Indianapolis Star deemed the album "pleasant, mostly earnest, competently performed and ultimately unmemorable."[23] The New Yorker considered it to be "an unexpectedly mature collection of forlorn ballads."[29]

AllMusic wrote that "Poltz still sounds a little unsure of himself in places on One Left Shoe, but on the whole, it's a promising debut."[22]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Look to the East" 
2."Good Morning (Waking Up with You)" 
3."Krikor's Waltz" 
4."Silver Lining" 
5."Forbidden Fruit" 
6."Salvation Song" 
7."Impala" 
8."One Left Shoe" 
9."I Thought I Saw You Last Night" 
10."Everything About You" 
11."Leavin' Again" 
12."The Great Mystery" 
13."Broken Hearts and Painted Nails" 
14."Kicking Distance" 
15."Beautiful Day" 

References

  1. ↑ Westmacott, Gord (June 13, 1998). "BUSKING LED TO SOLO RECORD". The London Free Press. p. C2.
  2. ↑ "The secret origin of Steve Poltz's One Left Shoe | San Diego Reader". www.sandiegoreader.com.
  3. ↑ "Steve Poltz Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  4. ↑ "Steve Poltz: One To Watch For At SXSW". No Depression. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
  5. ↑ Borzillo, Carrie (Feb 14, 1998). "Mercury wants Steve Poltz's name as familiar as his face". Billboard. 110 (7): 12, 15.
  6. 1 2 Locey, Bill (16 July 1998). "Making Music". Los Angeles Times. p. F48.
  7. ↑ Moon, Tom (3 Apr 1998). "And devotees of power-pop...". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 15.
  8. ↑ Weatherford, Mike (24 July 1998). "The Lisa & Steve show". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 30J.
  9. ↑ Anderman, Joan (11 Nov 1998). "Four guys with songs, guitars, and a few chords". The Boston Globe. p. F3.
  10. ↑ Yorke, Richie (March 14, 1999). "JEWEL'S DIAMOND FRIEND". Encore. The Courier-Mail. p. 75.
  11. ↑ Verna, Paul (May 16, 1998). "One Left Shoe". Billboard. 110 (20): 23.
  12. 1 2 MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. pp. 961–962.
  13. ↑ Kaufman, Gil. "Jewel Co-Songwriter Steve Poltz's Solo Debut". MTV News.
  14. ↑ "A gem on his own". Maclean's. 111 (20): 56. May 18, 1998.
  15. ↑ Roos, John (12 May 1998). "Steve Poltz Pulls a Slow One". Los Angeles Times. p. F2.
  16. ↑ Ohler, Shawn (28 June 1998). "Steve Poltz discusses music, touring and Ms. Jewel". Edmonton Journal. p. C3.
  17. ↑ Peterson, Karla (January 4, 1998). "Steve Poltz". The San Diego Union-Tribune. p. E5.
  18. 1 2 Hunter, James (May 14, 1998). "One Left Shoe/Burning The Daze". Rolling Stone (786): 59.
  19. ↑ Booth, Philip (7 Aug 1998). "POLTZ LEARNED THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY". Ticket. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. p. 9.
  20. 1 2 Stevenson, Jane (March 22, 1998). "STEVE POLTZ One Left Shoe". Toronto Sun. p. S7.
  21. ↑ Zollinger Turner, Tracy (April 23, 1998). "One Left Shoe, Steve Poltz". Weekender. The Columbus Dispatch. p. 5.
  22. 1 2 "Steve Poltz - One Left Shoe Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  23. 1 2 Penner, Diana (12 Apr 1998). "Steve Poltz". The Indianapolis Star. p. I11.
  24. 1 2 Shuster, Fred (20 Mar 1998). "SOUND CHECK". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L24.
  25. 1 2 Harrison, Tom (16 Apr 1998). "STEVE POLTZ: One Left Shoe". The Province. p. B14.
  26. 1 2 Mersereau, Bob (11 Apr 1998). "Goin' down the road". News. Telegraph-Journal.
  27. ↑ Moerer, Keith (March 18, 1998). "Sharps and Flats: Steve Poltz". Salon.
  28. ↑ Foster, Patrick (25 Mar 1998). "Steve Poltz: Bard Next Door". The Washington Post. p. D7.
  29. ↑ "Mercury Lounge". The New Yorker: 20. May 11, 1998.
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