Owen Plant

Between the first and second track on Beach Busker, singer/songwriter Owen Plant switches gears, jumping from a lively Jamaican accent to a gentle folksy whisper. It’s disappointing at first, simply because Plant’s American accent isn’t as interesting as his native Jamaican, but by using both, gives us a taste of his versatility. Not only can Plant sing effortlessly in two divergent modes, but he also accompanies himself on four instruments. Still, the greatest accomplishment on Beach Busker is the sense of optimism and genuine happiness that slides off of Plant’s acoustic guitar strings. We’re not sure if it’s Cali or Jamaica that holds the bigger place in Plant’s heart (he’s a San Fran resident and former Santa Barbara dweller), but he sings sincerely about his appreciation for both. On “Raise It up High” Plant nicely articulates the feeling that runs throughout Beach Busker. “We all come from some place, maybe the same place,” he sings, sweetly reminding us that roots run deep, but compassion runs deeper.