Strange Names & New Sensations - Steve Forbert Album Review

Album Review

Steve Forbert was doing Americana long before Americana was invented. This Mississippi born troubador made his entrance in the late 70s in New York, where he was quickly, too quickly, labelled the 'new Bob Dylan' which could have been the kiss of death. His style bares virtually any resemblence, though he was big fan of Mr.Zimmerman. Since relocating to Nashville his output has been slow and steady.For three decades Steve Forbert has done his own thing. Inevitably, because of this status, he's failed commercially in the UK. Back in '79 he had two minor successes with Alive On Arrival ( UK album chart No. 56 ) and Jack Rabbit Slim ( No. 54 ). This CD was recorded at Moondog Studios in Nashville and produced by Forbert and Tim Coats - they've done a lovely job. Commercially, this probably won't do much better either. Saying that, it's well worth grabbing a copy.

This easy - on -the- ear clever eclectic mix kicks into action with bouncy Middle Age, a take on the benefits of, well, middle age. With horn blasts, and steady beat, he reflects on the virtues of middle age, though not melancholically, as the upbeat brings a kind of celebration. An even catchier Strange Names follows,and possesses a Springsteen-like quality, with an almost full-on Wall Of Sound, and funnily enough there's a New Jersey reference. Then there's the atmospheric Simply Spalding Gray that ambles gently with windpipes texturising the gaps, after which he hits country mode on the sweet clog happy Man I Miss That Girl, and in a similar frame he uses pedal steel to bring out the melancholy of You're Meant For Me. Best of the bunch is the mellow, mid-paced My Seaside Brown-Eyed Girl, which would make an excellent single, and possibly reach the BBC Radio 2 playlist. Crunching rocker The Baghdad Dream sees Forbert lash out at the Iraq invasion, in the same way Neil Young had pop on Living With War. Reprising his best known song and US hit, Romeo's Tune, he signs off with this glorious , oh yes, Dylan-like classic.

Worth every penny.

Elly Roberts