JOHN TRAIN Jon Houlon-Vocals,Guitar Mike Brenner-Dobro,Lap Steel,Electric Guitar Steve Demarest-Bass Bill Fergusson-Mandolin,Bouzouki Jay Ansill-Fiddle,String Arrangements 'Angels Turned Thieves' is John Train's first cd .It was released in 1999 and was produced by Mike Brenner. This critically praised five piece Philadelphia-area band plays a unique blend of country , bluegrass, and folk . "The cascading images of John Train singer Jon Houlon bear the mark of Texas troubadours Butch Hancock and Townes Van Zandt.And the group's bluegrass and country-tinged acoustic music...sparkles with clarity." Dan DeLuca Philadelphia Inquirer "With the new 'Angels Turned Thieves' ,the local semi-acoustic quintet has scared up one of the finest Philly-made alt-country albums in a long while...Thieves is an album that,at first,seems so unassuming as to be slight.But after a few listens,its weirdly sedate world-weariness and reassuring melodicism shyly burrows its way under the skin." Hobart Rowland Philadelphia Weekly "The Philadelphia quintet's debut is ripe with images that conjure up visions of both a gentler,sepia-toned yesterday and a crueler today...Touching on everything from lost loves and betrayal to the civil war and the media culture,Houlon writes protest songs that use the personal experience to convey a larger message." Rachel Leibrock Country Standard Time "His writing is always thoughtful and evocative...This is an album that can quickly become a welcome friend." Michael Tearson Sing Out Magazine "Jon Houlon has a droll/bleak take on life that's all his own and a fine tune sense." Jonathan Takiff Philadelphia Daily News