Search - Steve Forbert :: Strange Names & New Sensations

Good News; It's Great

T. Leach | Mid-West | 07/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, a non-Forbert fan may not like this stuff, but the real trick is not just liking this music but 'getting' it. Since the singles-era of his early music, SF's work has not been written nor produced for mass consumption. Of course, Big Macs are made for mass consumption, and look at what those do to you. So, with the recognition that this album might have a limited audience, this is a GREAT Forbert album. I was pleased to discover that SF is still writing clever and honest music, and while his sound is still a little overly-produced for me (too many back-up vocals and tamborines sometimes), this album has some wonderful rhythms and sounds. Favorites are The Baghdad Dream (not an in your face anti-war song, as much as a "what is going over there?" rocker), I Will Sing Your Praises (a surprising creationist hymn, SF style), Thirty More Years (a great composition around SF's now-familiar theme of life passing by . . .), and Simply Spalding Gray. Then there is the fresh re-do of one of pop music's greatest all-time hits, Romeo's Tune. What a gift. He must have performed this a million times in the last 25 years, and he delivers it here with appropriate energy and relevance. GREAT ALBUM!"

A must for Forbert fans

Aaron Trulson | Seattle, WA | 06/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"My first impression when I first listened to the CD was that it, (unlike other rescent Forbert albums), was a little too soft around the edges. And although the songs were great, I felt the music supporting them didn't fully extract the richness from them. However after keeping it in my car for a few days, It really grew on me, and now I accept it for what it is and as another Forbert masterpiece.

If the first listening doesn't hook you, the second one will. Or the third... Maybe fourth."

Radiofriendly hit machine from Forbert. Not so much edge, bu

Kurt Olav Helle | Lonevåg, Osteroy Norway | 07/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Steve Forbert has included a new version of Romeos Tune on this new CD. And most of the CD is in that musical genre so to speak.Steve Forbert has included a new version of Romeos Tune on this new CD,and most of the CD is in that musikal "hummin genre" so to speak. This is a musikal gem overall, that become better and better with more listning. Then suddenly it bang`s into your`e soul, and leave some musical angeldust in your ear. Track 1 Middel Age is a typical Forbert gem. Walkabout rythm with a very hummin` tune. Happinnes speaks all over the track. Track 2 Strange Names follow up the "feel" and credibility of the previous track. Not edgy, but very earfriendly, and enjoyable to listen too. Track 3 Simply spalding gray it`s an another cup of tea. This has a touch of irish roots in the intro, but it demands quite more from you. A minor letdown in my ears. Track 4 Man, i miss that girl, brings us more or less back on the track again. Forbert voice had so much pain and feel alltrough. Quality shines. Track 5 You`re meant for me is in typical Forbert territory. It`s romantic, have a certain feel, and drizzel angeldust in your`e earchannels. Track 6 I will sing your praise, is the one with the spinal marrow cord touch. The one you can feel. Track 7 Something special, it`s more cliche ridden in a way. A minor letdown, but a good listen anyway. Anyway. The harmonica lifts it up above average. Track 8 My seaside Brown-eyed girl, has a very open soundpicture, where the instrument`s drizzel here and there and makes`it complete. Track 9 Baghdad Dream is the "rock and roller" on the CD. A mood changer, but it works.Lyricks are extremly good on this one, and yes it`s about the Irak war. Track 10 Thirty More Years, it`s a so so track. Average, but quite interesting. Track 11 Around the bend is the uplifting one. Brings joy to your`e heart. It`s instrumental, but hey who cares. It has that "x- factor". Track 12 Romeo`s tune. Greatness shines. What more can you say about Forbert`s biggest hit ever. This one has it all. Enjooooooy. All in all a great album, but some of the tracks are a minor letdown. But it`s a safe buy anyway. Forbert has quality, and never go out of style.....





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