CD Reviews |
| BELOW ARE SOME REVIEWS ON WORDS LINES & RHYMES Perfection! author: ~Gonzo! I was first "introduced" to Steve Bailey on his YouTube Channel. After watching & listening to that first song, I was hooked! The more songs of his I listened to, the more I was drawn into his music, songwritting, and story telling. His songs and soul can't really be compared to anyone. His vocals are so smooth and pitch perfect, again drawing you deeper into each song. I was hooked! I got his "Words, Lines, and Rhymes" CD and it has been in my player for 2 weeks straight now! Not only does each song tell it's own story, but the way the CD is layed out, it seems to tell a bigger story! Perfection! For the life of me, I can not possibly understand how this guy is not a house hold name! I can promise you this: There are songs on this CD that will make you cry. There are songs on this CD that will make you laugh. There are songs on this CD that will make you think. All in all, you will become to know Steve Bailey the artist, like he was your best friend. You will want him to visit your porch on a summer evening with his guitar and harmonica. Honest Perfection! |
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| I have listened to Steve's CD and I'm amazed at the quality of his songs and the genuine nature of his delivery. These may have simple lyrics about every day life, but the the melodies are very catchy, warm and have a "down home" feel. This is a very appealing batch of songs. It sometimes amazes me that I can find such hidden gems beyond all the online reviews, best of lists, etc. He reminds me of a combination of John Prine and somebody like Burl Ives. Steve has a bright future A REVIEW BY: Lauren Delp |
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| I don't write too many CD reviews, but this one really got me. See I've listened to Steve Bailey's music on his player, I've even played some of it from time to time on my own profile page. And a lot of the songs I listened to were from this CD. So you would think that I would have some idea of what was coming. ??I didn't. Listening to the songs here provides something of an idea of Steve's songwriting and musical abilities, but doesn't begin to hint at the depth of the world he constructs around you in the space of some seventy-plus minutes. The CD's subtitle, From My Porch To Yours, now that brings it closer, but it took me a while to make the connection. I listened to Travelin Man with its irresistible melody and cheerful words and remembered the days when I worked the Pacific Northwest states with a carnival. Get Away played sad and true. Po Sam got me to smiling, and feeling I knew the protagonist, and then I got it. He is so good at capturing a scene, a space, a memory, and evoking it in such familiar terms that it feels like you really are sitting on the porch swapping stories. These are honest songs, sung with an honest voice. Look out for the music - it goes so well with the heart that you might miss it. There are nineteen of these songs, all worth spending time with. And there is something about the sequence, it's put together in such a way that by the time you're approaching the end of the playlist you feel like you've unburdened yourself to a friend who clapped you on the shoulder and really Knew. I don't want to give it all away, but the poignant It's A Long Way Home should have been part of my nightly fare when I was sixteen, If I Ever Lost You is one of the best love songs I know, and Steve manages to convey the depth of the message with a light touch and a smiling face, and Holy Ground is so incredibly current he might have written it this morning sitting with you at your own breakfast table. My sweet-voiced friend Kim Wyrd Guy did a beautiful job covering the song and you can hear her version of it on Steve's profile - scroll down to the oval player in the left hand column. The Steve Bailey profile says this is his debut CD, which makes it all the more precious. This guy is a brilliant songwriter with a voice that pulls you in so imperceptibly, you find yourself sitting next to him on that porch with no idea how you got there. It's also a voice I am going to let sing me awake tomorrow, if I can figure out how to rig up my stereo - the book says it's possible... Thank you Steve, what a joy. |
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| A Gem..buy it! author: Paul Arrowsmith I accidentally discovered Steve's music while surfing MySpace...and was immediately blown away. It evoked Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson, Townes Van Zandt and all of the other great American folk story tellers....not that Steve copies any of these greats, his songs have their own style. Rather rather than anonymous tales though, I think this album is the story of (a) life. For me the stand out tracks are Travelin' Man (so good I've had to adapt it for the banjo and add it to my set!), I think Woody Guthrie could have sung this. Chickens & Eggs..which describes the huge satisfaction but ultimate futility of building a life, home, family etc. Devil Train deals with the age old theme of selling your soul to the Devil in a satisfyingly haunting way. Holy Ground is quite simply one of the best anti-war songs I have ever heard......so good that my other half has added it to her live set! It doesn't preach but amplifies the personal impact of war on any thinking person...stunning. Long Way Home deals with addiction, and personal demons and failings...Steve has either been there or has huge empathy for those that have. The presentation of the songs is disarmingly simple and effective, well sung and no fluff! If I was to provide any feedback to Steve it would be that he should have saved some of these great songs to get a head start on his next release....19 Tracks is almost too many. This is enduring music of a genre that I love. I'm looking forward to the next one....Paul Arrowsmith giving a UK view. |
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| Simply The Best author: Jet Brennan A product of a true craftsman, this album is Shaker in its simplicity and attention to detail: lovingly shaped, the songs dovetailed together perfectly and planed and polished with the warmth of Steve's performance. It's an album that makes you think, makes you wince then laugh and nod your head in agreement. At times, the overall 'no frills' effect and the plaintiveness of the harmonica is reminiscent of Springsteen's Nebraska. The songs are like the teeth of a handmade wooden rake, each as solid and strong as its neighbour, but each one individual. From the first step of Travellin' Man to the flight of Get Away, the hiss of Broken Radios and the last word of My Story, Steve Bailey's guitar and voice hold you tight as a vise. This is not just a 'one play' album, it's a family heirloom |
| Acoustic and Cozy author: Sasha Colette Carrying a generous voice that welcomes any ear, Steve Bailey's latest album Words Lines and Rhymes is comprised of originals that are acoustic and cozy. Between the guitar and the grin in Bailey's voice, your spirits are likely to be lifted. Ofcourse, good music lifts any spirit! Steve is a true American troubadour of his own terms.- Sasha Colette, Americana Crossroads www.msuradio.com |
| A Generosity of Music author: Resonator Ghost When you listen to this new CD, start with "Don't Walk Away". Once you hear Steve Bailey's voice and guitar on this plaintive song, you will stick around to hear more. I have listened to this CD several times before sitting down to write this review, and I have to admit I've developed favorites but there is not a song on the CD I don't like. There are several I love. "Where Are The Angels" is a beautiful, sad tribute to the city and people of New Orleans, and by extension, to anyone who has lost too much to bear. When he sings "bon temps rouler", you will feel the sense of loss in his voice. "Cry" is a litany of compassion, "I cry for the lonely infected and weak/I cry for the children with nothing to eat/For those who don't dare to follow their dream". You will have no doubt that he means what he sings. "My Story" is just that: one man's attempt to come to grips with the story that is common to all of us, our journey from cradle to grave, but there is nothing sad in this song, it's a song of hope, strength and a wry knowledge that life is what it is. I don't know Steve Bailey, but listening to him sing makes me feel like I have been his friend for years. That is where the generosity comes in, the singer of these songs isn't holding out you. This is honest stuff and I hope there is a lot more where it came from. I look forward to hearing more from Steve Bailey. |
| Stunning Debut Album author: Gaff from Folkwit Records UK Steve Bailey has created a rare thing with "Words. Lines and Rhymes" a debut album recorded with the minimum of production that outstrips many of the more "sophisticated" recordings put out by Record Labels. The 19 track album (and there isnt a weak song here) manages to capture the feelings and reflections of a life thats been lived. For a self produced and released album it surpasses all expectations. The songwriting is reminiscent of the style of Townes Van Zandt in places, particularly the opening track "Travellin man" For anyone with even a passing interest in stripped down acoustic country this is a "must have". Congratulations Steve on a job very well done, now start on your next album, with the songwriting ability shown here, its bound to be good, if not great! by Gaff (Folkwit Records A & R, UK) |
