Steady On is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, released on October 17, 1989, by Columbia Records. In addition to launching Colvin's career the album was positively received by critics and had moderate commercial success.
Recording and release The album was recorded in Steve Addabbo's Shelter Island Sound recording studio in Shelter Island, New York. Colvin has explained that the themes on the album include healing from personal life trauma and drug and alcohol addiction.
Colvin recorded acoustic versions of these songs for 2019's Steady On: 30th Anniversary Acoustic Edition.
Reception
Steady On won the award for Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 33rd Grammy Awards in February 1991. AllMusic calls the album "a must have for anyone who loves acoustic music created in the grand tradition of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor." Notable guest appearances include Suzanne Vega and Bruce Hornsby.
The album reached 111 on the Billboard 200 in 1989. The title track was released as a single and in 1990 reached 30 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and 23 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Track listing
Arrangement ideas were contributed by T-Bone Wolk and Phil Galdston on "Diamond in the Rough" and David Sanborn on "Another Long One".
Personnel
Musicians Steve Addabbo – tambourine Michael Blair – drums, percussion Shawn Colvin – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, background vocals Charles Curtis – cello Steve Gaboury – keyboards, drum programming Bruce Hornsby – piano Lucy Kaplansky – background vocals John Leventhal – guitar, bass, mandolin, keyboards, tambourine, background vocals, drum programming Hugh McCracken – guitar, dobro, high-strung guitar Dennis McDermott – drums Rick Marotta – drums Bob Riley – guitar, keyboards, drum programming Bob Telson – organ Soozie Tyrell – fiddle, background vocals Suzanne Vega – background vocals on "Diamond in the Rough" T-Bone Wolk – guitar, bass, accordion
Production Steve Addabbo – co-producer, engineer Paul Angelli – assistant engineer Kris Brauninger – assistant engineer Carol Chen – art direction Ronald K. Fierstein – executive producer Phil Galdston – assistant arranger Kevin Halpin – engineer Geoff Keehn – engineer Kevin Killen – mixing Phil Klum – assistant engineer John Leventhal – co-producer Bob Ludwig – mastering Marcus Miller – assistant engineer UE Nastasi – assistant engineer Frank Ockenfels – photography Mark Partis – engineer Malcolm Pollack – engineer David Sanborn – assistant arranger, arrangement collaboration Ted Spencer – engineer Dary Sulich – assistant engineer
Charts +Chart performance for Steady On Chart (1989/1990) Peakposition Australian Albums (ARIA) N.B. The High Point number in the NAT column represents the release's peak on the national chart. 102 United States (Billboard 200) 111
Release history date format label catalog # CD Columbia CK-45209 Columbia FC 45209 CD Columbia CO45209 1989 CS Columbia FCT-45209 1995 CD Columbia 45209 2001 CD Sony 4661422 2008 CD Sbme Special MKTS. 725020
References
External links "Rock on the Net: Shawn Colvin", a timeline of Colvin's releases, awards