STEVE HILL
‘The One Man Blues Rock Band’ is the new live release from Steve Hill and follows hot on the heels of his previous record, ‘Solo Recordings Volume 3’. The album was recorded at La Chapelle, Quebec in Steve's home country of Canada. He rattles through 14 tracks on this release, which lasts for just under 70 minutes, with the bulk of songs taken from his ‘Solo Recordings Volumes 1 , 2 and 3’.
The album kicks off in typical fashion with the pounding and toe tapping 'Rhythm All over' and carries on in a similar vein with 'Go On' from ‘Volume 2’. The next couple of tracks, 'The Collector' and 'Damned', with its huge riff and some excellent guitar from Steve, follow before a change of pace in the form of 'Tough Luck', which is somewhat slower paced, with harmonica giving it more of a bluesy edge.
'Never Is Such A Long Time', with some more excellent guitar work, and 'Hate To See You Go' pick the pace up again before the pace drops again slightly for the catchy, and somewhat commercial, 'Emily'. 'Nothing New' is next up and is another track with an extra bluesy feel, courtesy of the harmonica once again. 'Out of Phase' follows and this is a gentler track, lacking some of the pounding beats and riffs of its companions, although it's none the worse for it.
Some excellent guitar work opens 'Still Got It Bad', which is another slower paced effort, and we then arrive at 'The Ballad Of Johnny Wabo’, a track in which the tempo picks up, with some more fine guitar work to appreciate, as it progresses and describes the difficulties of getting a record deal in the modern day music business. Next up is the hook laden 'Dangerous' from ‘Volume 3’, with another monolithic riff, before a cover of Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child' brings proceedings to a close.
This release pretty much does what it says on the tin. There are no surprises in terms of its musical content - it's hard-edged blues rock all the way. The element that comes out of left field, and I still find it hard to believe after reviewing Steve's previous release, is that he does this on his own. This album would be a pretty solid one if it was released by a band, but for one man to produce a show of the quality which is conveyed via this recording is nothing short of astounding.
Steve is currently touring in the UK, supporting King King and Danny Bryant (if there was any justice, he’d be a headline act in his own right) and I implore you, if you get the opportunity, to see him live. If he's as good as this record, you won't be disappointed!
The album kicks off in typical fashion with the pounding and toe tapping 'Rhythm All over' and carries on in a similar vein with 'Go On' from ‘Volume 2’. The next couple of tracks, 'The Collector' and 'Damned', with its huge riff and some excellent guitar from Steve, follow before a change of pace in the form of 'Tough Luck', which is somewhat slower paced, with harmonica giving it more of a bluesy edge.
'Never Is Such A Long Time', with some more excellent guitar work, and 'Hate To See You Go' pick the pace up again before the pace drops again slightly for the catchy, and somewhat commercial, 'Emily'. 'Nothing New' is next up and is another track with an extra bluesy feel, courtesy of the harmonica once again. 'Out of Phase' follows and this is a gentler track, lacking some of the pounding beats and riffs of its companions, although it's none the worse for it.
Some excellent guitar work opens 'Still Got It Bad', which is another slower paced effort, and we then arrive at 'The Ballad Of Johnny Wabo’, a track in which the tempo picks up, with some more fine guitar work to appreciate, as it progresses and describes the difficulties of getting a record deal in the modern day music business. Next up is the hook laden 'Dangerous' from ‘Volume 3’, with another monolithic riff, before a cover of Hendrix's 'Voodoo Child' brings proceedings to a close.
This release pretty much does what it says on the tin. There are no surprises in terms of its musical content - it's hard-edged blues rock all the way. The element that comes out of left field, and I still find it hard to believe after reviewing Steve's previous release, is that he does this on his own. This album would be a pretty solid one if it was released by a band, but for one man to produce a show of the quality which is conveyed via this recording is nothing short of astounding.
Steve is currently touring in the UK, supporting King King and Danny Bryant (if there was any justice, he’d be a headline act in his own right) and I implore you, if you get the opportunity, to see him live. If he's as good as this record, you won't be disappointed!
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Manhaton Records
Album
THE ONE-MAN BLUES ROCK BAND
Review by Dave Uphill
RUNNING TIME:
68:17
RELEASE DATE:
11th May 2018
TRACK LISTING
1) Rhythm All Over; 2) Go On
3) The Collector; 4) Damned
5) Tough Luck; 6) Never is Such a Long Time
7) Hate to See You Go
8) Emily; 9) Nothing New
10) Out of Phase
11) Still Got It Bad
12) The Ballad of Johnny Wabo
13) Dangerous
14) Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
3) The Collector; 4) Damned
5) Tough Luck; 6) Never is Such a Long Time
7) Hate to See You Go
8) Emily; 9) Nothing New
10) Out of Phase
11) Still Got It Bad
12) The Ballad of Johnny Wabo
13) Dangerous
14) Voodoo Child (Slight Return)
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Canada
"This album would be a pretty solid one if it was released by a band, but for one man to produce a show of the quality which is conveyed via this recording is nothing short of astounding."
