One Left Shoe

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]

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)

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. "Steve Poltz - One Left Shoe Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  23. Penner, Diana (12 Apr 1998). "Steve Poltz". The Indianapolis Star. p. I11.
  24. Shuster, Fred (20 Mar 1998). "SOUND CHECK". Los Angeles Daily News. p. L24.
  25. Harrison, Tom (16 Apr 1998). "STEVE POLTZ: One Left Shoe". The Province. p. B14.
  26. 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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