Year: 2020
Time: 47:16
Size: 108,4 MB
Label: Diamond Day Records
Styles: Rock/Blues Rock
Art: Front
Tracks Listing:
1. Turn Of The Wheel - 3:38
2. Trance - 4:29
3. Running From The Storm - 3:14
4. In The Dust Behind - 3:37
5. That's Not The Way - 4:59
6. Big Pictures - 6:15
7. Please The Believer - 4:08
8. Lost On You - 3:50
9. Make It Right - 4:31
10. Abandon Ship - 3:51
11. The Peace You're Looking For - 4:40
This review needs an introduction. With special attention for a big fan from Aberdeen, Scotland. Graham Robertson. He was the one who approached me to write reviews. “No”, in short, was the answer, too busy with work and family life. “Logically,” Graham replied. Also very busy with promotional work for Blues Rock Aberdeen. Graham and I have become musical facebook friends since the last performance of The Steepwater Band in the Netherlands (De Bosuil, Weert 15 May 2016). He asked if I was willing to do a special one…. I almost immediately understood what it was about. Namely Steepwater’s new album, Turn Of The Wheel. Now you may think that this introduction is unnecessary, but it is part of the story of The Steepwater Band. I had already heard and read a few things about this album via Social Media. The album was released last year after a resurrection from the band early last year. A few setbacks the year before, the departure of bass player from the 1st hour Tod Bowers, a long illness for band manager Steven Sime and finally died, the band decided to take it easy for a year. Luckily last year we received the full acoustic solo album from singer / guitarist Jeff Massey – From The Highway To The Show, which filled the void nicely. I mainly speak on behalf of “we”. Which means the large fan base that we can safely call the family of the Steepwater Band. This family all over the world, which is mainly busy with stories and posting concerts, has a Facebook group “The Steepwater Band – Gathering of the High & Humble”. This fan club is very connected to the band members and ensures that we support them in many ways. For example, the band recently did a call for help. The band came to a halt with their tour bus. Engine trouble. Like any independent band, it is hard hard work for little, so there was not much money to repair the bus. The shirt-sale promotion with the text “Keep The Guys On The Road” managed to get the men back to the next destination. I call this a close bond with fans and artist! Fortunately, the band has found the right motivation to go loose again. With their “Back To Work”-tour last year, they have already roamed all over America. During this tour there are already quite a few new songs that we could see and hear through the “family”. Now finally after four years of waiting here’s the new album, Turn Of The Wheel. The seventh studio album now on which the new band member Joe Bishop makes his bass-playing heard. Producer Jim Winters, brother of the drummer Joe Winters, has come after a long time to give this album a good sound. He already did this with verve on the album Revalation Sunday of 2006. Recorded on Lake Michigan, with some guest roles for Chris Grove on keys, Freddie Gonzalez, percussion and for the first time on a Steepwater album a saxophone by Terry “Sonny Lee” Tritt. Adam Ayan has mastered everything once again. As already on the previous album, all band members have had their musical input which can be heard through various influences from their favorites. Singer / guitarist Jeff Massey took care of all the lyrics. Fortunately, the album fully meets what you always hope for when your favorite band comes up with something new. It rocks on all fronts with the guitars naturally prevailing in every song. Both men, Massey as Eric Saylors, can really blow their guitars. No solo is a repetition of moves, always alternating and sometimes nice against each other. However, all numbers alternate well. Is it not because of the different influences of the classic-70’s bands or in tempo and sound. A really complete rock album. You want to hear this album from the beginning with the amplifier on ten. Air guitar in hand and stamping with it. I already see myself at the front again at the next concert. Or as the men themselves say: “Just a turn of the wheel, and a foot on the gas, into the now, driving out of the past …” The influences that we hear on this album come from various angles, but above all directly to their own Steepwater sound. Opener “Turn Of The Wheel” immediately makes you happy. Steep water at its best. A wonderful groove, here and there slide guitar by Eric and Jeff. This song grabs you, especially when the foot is pressed on the gas after a good two minutes thirty with a splattering solo. The guitar solo of The Steepwater Band is THE trademark. Alternately by Eric or Jeff but never the same and disturbing. Successor “Trance” could have been on an old Grand Funk Railroad or ELO album. Nice uptempo and completely loose. Really the best song in my opinion. The amplifier also goes further with “Running From The Storm”. The vocals could have been a bit rougher for me, but it is and remains a wonderful guitar song. Both Joe’s provide a fantastic beat so you are inclined to dance along. This song is sure to make your legs creak during a live performance. Then the foot off the accelerator at “In The Dust Behind” which makes it a real rock ballad. “That’s Not The Way” is nicely built with the saxophone used for the break. The men listened carefully to Stones albums. Neil Young’s records will also often be set up in the men’s living rooms. Just listen to the gritty “Big Pictures”. Guitars are set raw and the solos are more drawn out. Cortez the Killer part 2. “Please The Believer” has been on YouTube for a while. Great rock song that is totally Steepwater Band. In the next song “Lost On You” I immediately thought I recognized Billy Gibbons as a guest guitarist, but it’s just Eric Saylors’ special Teye guitar. For the CD lovers there is an extra track “Make It Right”. This song would have fitted on any Grand Funk Railroad album. I think Steepwater Band knows its classics and there you automatically take something from me in your own sound. Eric and Jeff really make it a fantastic song. “Abandon Ship” again provides the necessary variation in tempo. A road song in which Eric’s lap steel gives the right feeling. This song was already on Jeff’s solo album. Closing track “The Peace You’re Looking For” is truly a real ending to this complete rock album. Queen will have contributed to the necessary influence for the guitar sound. But above all another Steepwater Band number. I am honored to be requested for the first to review this album in the Netherlands. I feel very involved with this band and would like to bring this music to the man / woman in the Netherlands. Spain and especially the UK are on the tour schedule and where they unfortunately have not been able to find this tour to play in the Netherlands. So will have to book a flight ticket for a concert. I would like to do it !! Family Reunion, so to speak.
Turn Of The Wheel
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