Phil Vassar Phil Vassar Arista Nashville, 2000 Buy it online Tracks 1: Carlene 2: Just Another Day in Paradise 3: That's When I Love You 4: Rose Bouquet 5: Joe & Rosalita 6: Six-Pack Summer 7: Lucky As Me 8: Like I Never Loved Before 9: Didn't You Know She's Gone 10: Somewhere in Between 11: Drive Away Reviewed by Lincoln Cho	The biggest question about Phil Vassar's self-titled debut album is, what took him so long? The award-winning songwriter has been penning popular Country songs for other artists over the last several years. He was Billboard 's 1998 Songwriter of the Year, Music Row 1999 Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year and ASCAP 1999 Country Songwriter of the Year. Not bad at all for the former football playing business major from Lynchburg, Virginia. After writing songs that have been recorded by BlackHawk, Jo Dee Messina, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson and others no one doubted that Vassar could write. In fact, his signature tightly packed lyrics have helped several artists to the #1 spot on the Country charts in the last couple of years. "Bye Bye" and "I'm Alright," -- both on Messina's 1998 album I'm Alright -- were arguably a big part of that album's fast rise to platinum. Nor is it a surprise that he takes a song writing credit on every song on his debut album. What most of us didn't know, of course, was that Vassar is possessed of a voice and presence convincing enough to make Phil Vassar entirely delightful. "Carlene," was climbing the charts as a single before the album's release. "I was lousy at math, a failed historian / Carlene was the Valedictorian," and so on right up to the memorable, "Oh la la la la lookin' good Carlene," that occupies much of the chorus. Since Vassar helped Jo Dee Messina to the outer layers of stardom, as it were, it's fun to see her make an appearance on this album. Her unmistakable voice is present in the background on "That's When I Love You," a catchy -- if slightly simplistic -- love song. "When you're near," Vassar sings, "or you're far / You're in my heart no matter where you are." Not too exciting when pulled apart, but Vassar delivers it with a cheery sweetness that is entirely convincing. Phil Vassar is, overall, a happy and uplifting album: with nary a dog or truck in sight. In fact, some Country purists will likely wonder at the crossover packaging -- both in the sound as well as the way this album looks on the shelf. The cover shot features Vassar's smiling mug, with his piano just out of focus over his shoulder. If you didn't know this artist's name, you'd have no clue as to the type of music he played. Likewise, steel guitars are in short supply and Vassar even sneaks a couple of piano solos, notably in the intro to "Joe & Rosalita." In many ways, this isn't your grandpa's Country, but who's complaining? | April 2000 Lincoln Cho is a musician and freelance writer.	Nor is it a surprise that he takes a song writing credit on every song on his debut album. What most of us didn't know, of course, was that Vassar is possessed of a voice and presence convincing enough to make Phil Vassar entirely delightful.