2021 is set to be a busy and extended year for Dean Owens. In a model closely shadowing what My Darling Clementine did last year, the plan is to strategically release a trio of EPs ahead of a full album appearing in the autumn. One difference to what MDC did in 2020 sees Owens only put one or two album teasers on each EP rather than effectively preview the entire record.
The trio of EPs are titled The Desert Trilogy with each one of the March, May and July released records getting an appropriate sub-heading. THE BURNING HEART is the first of these EPs to see the light of day and comprises of four songs including one rehashed from the distant past.
'New Mexico' opens this quartet and is probably the pick of the short sample. It began life on a distant album - THE DROMA TAPES - and in Owens' own words gets a 'technicolour' makeover. This is one of two songs set to appear on the full album alongside 'Here Comes Paul Newman' a Spaghetti Western inspired instrumental featuring some distinctive whistling.
The major development for Dean Owens in 2021 is to bring his collaboration with Calexico to fruition, formally crowned in the album release of SINNER'S SHRINE slated for September. As a taster he has teamed up on the writing front with Calexico's Joey Burns for 'Tombstone Rose', a song that cements the ongoing theme of Owens being intoxicated by the magical mystery of music from the wide open expanses of south western USA. This part of the world also provided inspiration for the remaining track, 'Riverline'.
THE BURNING HEART can also be translated into a slow burner. Expect this project to gather momentum with each EP release. This first one is an atmospheric scene setter that will without doubt evolve into a majestic coronation by the time Dean Owens collaboration with Calexico reaches its pinnacle moment.
