Steven?s debut CD, First Of All, showcases his broad background and highlights his progressive acoustic style. From the flying fingers, technically challenging, roller-coaster ride of "Flyin? Low" to the emotional, dedic... more »ation song, "Rusty?s Spirit", there is something for all acoustic guitar enthusiasts. His unique compositions have the ability to conform to the listener?s mood, being either soothing or stimulating. The tone of First Of All is deliberately up close and personal. "I wanted the listener to feel like I was actually playing in their living room, rather than in an expensive studio. Essentially, it?s a live performance because I recorded everything in one take and didn?t use any studio tricks like punch-ins, overdubbing, or cut and paste."« less
Steven?s debut CD, First Of All, showcases his broad background and highlights his progressive acoustic style. From the flying fingers, technically challenging, roller-coaster ride of "Flyin? Low" to the emotional, dedication song, "Rusty?s Spirit", there is something for all acoustic guitar enthusiasts. His unique compositions have the ability to conform to the listener?s mood, being either soothing or stimulating. The tone of First Of All is deliberately up close and personal. "I wanted the listener to feel like I was actually playing in their living room, rather than in an expensive studio. Essentially, it?s a live performance because I recorded everything in one take and didn?t use any studio tricks like punch-ins, overdubbing, or cut and paste."
CD Reviews
First of All - Music of the Heart
Todd E Ridner | Temperance, MI United States | 02/03/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steven's release, First of All, is an incredible musical journey that will strum and pluck the strings of your heart. Steven shows us that the world of fingerstyle guitar has not lost it's edge, passion, sensitivity, or sense of humor. Whistle While You Walk, Flyin' Low, and Playing On Dad's New Grass remind us of some of the fun in life, and would make almost any technique fanatic content. Songs like Rusty's Spirit, If Only, and Roses delicately weave a tapestry of sentiment, caring, and dedication that will fill one's heart with emotion. An amazing fact and credit to Steven's awe-inspiring capability is that there are no overdubs or punch-ins in his recordings. The songs you hear are recorded live - each in it's own single take. If you are a fingerstyle connoisseur or just someone who loves music from the heart, I would definitely recommend that you add this one to your collection!"
Nice guitar sound!
Chris | Austin, TX United States | 02/02/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Steven's songs are intricately woven, providing an entertaining listening experience. Every song has a melody that plays into itself, so every listening session is a new one. I enjoy playing this CD in the background while I work at my computer. It helps me to relax and also to bring fresh ideas into mind. I like the acoustic guitar sound as it is very tangible, especially on track 10 "If Only", where you can hear the guitar strings reverberate. You can hear his fingers working the strings...I look forward to his next CD!"
A concert in your living room
hdarby | Newport News, VA United States | 02/01/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Without overdubs, punch ins, and other studio magic, Steven Dillon dares to present his own musical style "live and in person" right to your living room. From the first track to the last, Steven lays it all on the line - demonstrating not only his rare ability as a performer but also showing you the various sides of his personality. I suggest that before you read the liner notes and hear first hand the inspiration behind the music, you take a chance to let your mind interpret and suggest it's own story. Steven's playing evokes images that are sometimes futuristic, soulful, comical, and introspective. Some of the tunes are more polished than others, but this album is more a throwback to the bygone days of vinyl, when you dropped the needle on the first track and played through to the very end and took an amazing ride along the way! Keep up the good playing."
Very enjoyable!
hdarby | 01/31/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD! I'm so glad Steven is sharing his musical gift with the world. Listening to his skillful, soulful playing makes me stop, take a breath, and enjoy. Steven's songs invoke all kinds of feelings and memories. The uplifting rhythms of "Summer Rain" and "Whistle While you Walk" are delightful. I like the way "Best of Both Worlds" transitions back and forth, up and down. I especially enjoy the rapid flow and complexity of "Flyin' Low." The gracefulness of "Solar Eclipse" makes it one of my favorites."
A New Way to Cook
Pat Germain | Colorado Springs, CO | 01/31/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In the virtual kitchen where gourmet guitar players brew their newest concoctions, Steven Dillon kicks open the door and shows 'em a new way to cook. From the silky smooth textures of "Time Gone By" to the jalepeno pepper kick of "Flyin' Low", Dillon serves up a music experience to satisfy any acoustic appetite."First of All" presents funky fingerpicking and bright, crackling harmonies announcing loudly what ten fingers and one instrument can accomplish. A full array of emotions come through in a compilation that moves, but never stops being fun. Much of that fun comes spilling over from "Playin' On Dad's New Grass". "If Only" raises questions and wonders aloud what the answers might be. Precise strumming and bright harmonics come through in "12 Roses" and "Solar Eclipse" presents a serious guitar study with shades of "Classical Gas".A few of the songs may tend to merge into a slightly-too-familiar sound, but "First of All" stands out as a new adventure on the ole six-string."
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1