Here’s some rock and blues that make you think it’s the mid 70s again.
The band Steepwater consists of Jeff Massey/voc-g, Eric Saylors/g, Tod Bowers/b and Joe Winters/dr with Jim Wirt guesting on organ and harmony vocals. For this album, they rock steady o pieces like “Shake Your Faith” while sounding like a mix of Faces and Humble pie on “Mama Go To Tamble” and “Bring On the Love.” Lots of guitar rhythms and riffs, and Massey’s voice is vintage rock star, with Saylors picking up some boogie on “I Will Never Know” and riffing like a metaller on “Walk In The Light.” Head bangers light.
Steve Hill plays just about everything in what is a one man “Power Trio” here. He’s got the hard rock guitar licks down on “Dangerous” and “Rhythm All Over” and can rock the blues on “ Can’t Take IT With You.” He gets the strings moaning on an amped up read of “Rollin & Tumblin/Stop Breaking Down” and delivers an ominous read of Chicago Blues on guitar and harp on “Smoking Hot Machine.” He’s actually most enjoyable on the acoustic guitar, blissfully bluesy on “Slowly Slipping Away” and back porch casual during “Emily” and “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad.” An entire album like that would have been a treat!