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Always on the fringes of the country music genre, Kevin Welch has been consistently making solid albums for well over fifteen years. Within those fifteen years Kevin has seen many of his songs recorded by the likes of Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux, Jon Randall, Gary Allan, Wynonna, Randy Travis and Trisha Yearwood. Many of the songs that other artists have recorded appeared on Kevin's CD first. Garth Brooks actually took two songs from Kevin's Life Down Here On Earth CD to make "Pushing Up Daisies." 

 On Millionaire, Kevin Welch chose to record the whole CD in Denmark with his friends from that country. What is the result of their recording is Kevin's best album to date. Released in 2002 on the Dead Reckoning label, Millionaire is one of those rare albums that, like fine wine, it gets better with each successive listen. 

 The lead track on the CD is the title track "Millionaire." Recently recorded by Chris LeDoux for his latest CD After The Storm, this track is about how his lady's love makes him a millionaire and it's all he needs. 

"Long Cold Train" is a track that registers in at over six minutes long. With a groove that recalls Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones and the Dire Straits, this song is pure fun. Another fine example of Kevin singing about common people, here the character "Johnny" leaves behind his family on a train. 

"Witness" is a shadowy ballad about a bitter man being in a protection program who doesn't like where he is but knows he's stuck there. He's in hiding for being a witness to a murder and he "lost everything cause I told them who the shooter was." While the music isn't necessarily "country" the songs subject matter certainly is. 

"Killing Myself" again has that groove to it that harkens to the Dire Straits. I could actually see an artist like Mary Chapin Carpenter record this song about a commoner who lives their life for the little pay that they receive. The protagonist in the song also cannot find love no matter how much they try. 

"I Sure Can Love You" is about a guy that says that he can't do a lot of things that well but he sure can love his lady. He's not a doctor, and nothing comes easy but the loving thing comes easy to him. A neat little song, the music is uptempo with a hint of some horns for good measure. It's also the shortest song on the CD. I can see a popular artist like Collin Raye recording this song in the future, albeit with a toned down sound. 

"Queen of the Slipstream" is a wonderfully crafted cover of the Van Morrison classic. Full of Hammond organs, more horns, some great guitar work and a bluesy vocal delivery by Kevin Welch, and this track is quickly becoming my favorite one on the CD. I admit I am a sucker for a tasteful cover and this track fits the bill. 

 While he has no shot at mainstream country radio with this record, I could see many of the tracks being covered by other artist while Kevin Welch could conceivably be heard on Triple A (Adult Album Alternative) or Americana stations. While he's not specifically Country Music, Kevin Welch does continue to keep one foot planted firmly in its roots. This is one CD that any fan of progressive music will enjoy. 

Tracklisting: 
1.Millionaire 
2.Blanket Of Snow 
3.Long Cold Train 
4.Witness 
5.Choose To Believe 
6.Glorious Bounties 
7.Killing Myself 
8.The Sun King And The Winter Moon 
9.I Can Sure Love You 
10.Queen Of The Slipstream 
11.When The Sun Shines On Me 
12.Stray Dog

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Met dank aan Motormuijs