No More Mr. Nice Guy (Arista, 1996)

If you know Steve Wariner from his pop-flavored country hits of the '80's, this album may surprise you. Wariner, besides being an able vocalist, plays a pretty mean guitar, a fact already known to fellow musicians and hard core fans. This release should help spread the word. Except for two cuts and an introduction by baseballer Nolan Ryan, it's all instrumentals, with an impressive supporting cast. Chet Atkins, Vince Gill, Mark O'Connor, Bryan White, Lee Roy Parnell and Richie Sambora of Bon Jovie appear on different cuts, but it's obvious to the listener that Wariner can hold his own. Wariner covers a variety of styles from blues ("If You Can't Say Something Good") to bluegrass ("Haptown Breakdown"), and if you're a country music purist, this may be your cup of tea. On the other hand, if you appreciate good guitar playing by some of the best in the business, this one's a good pick.