Search - Steve Freund :: "C" for Chicago

The Real Deal

Peter A. Alinovich | Chicago, Ill. | 01/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a lifelong Chicago resident and a big fan of the blues. I have had the pleasure of seeing Steve perform many times, both as a sideman and a leader and he has never failed to totally ignite a crowd. I was lucky enough to take a few guitar lessons from Steve some years back. He advised me then to try and say what you mean in as few notes as possible. In other words, distill it to it's essence. I think you'll hear that philosophy in practice on this disc. From the jump style of "Please Love Me" to his soulful take on Duster Bennett's "Jumpin' at Shadows" you'll hear a performer who walks the walk AND talks the talk. Steve's biography as a session and sideman is one all musicians would envy. His playing on this disc is a touchstone for aspiring guitarists who seek the truth about taste and tone as well as the blues lover who is sick of the same tired retreads of hokey covers. Buy it, you will not be sorry."

Classic Chicago Blues

J. Cooper | Chicago | 12/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I grew up in Chicago, and went to California for school (back in Chitown now). I was itching for some blues in the Bay Area, and ran across Steve Freund playing at a local dive and, man, this guy is for real. He owns that electric guitar, and his voice is perfect for the blues. A couple guitars, a bass, drums, maybe a harp thrown in -- not an overdone production, and not just a lone voice and a guitar, it's that perfect medium. Ya know how sometimes you like a musician, but the album is overproduced or poorly recorded and for whatever reason you're disappointed? Don't worry man, this stuff is beautiful (as is his other album "I'll Be Your Mule"). Best tracks? The title track, Jumpin' in Shadows, and Working Man can't be beat.



I don't know why Freund isn't a bigger name. This is real Chicago blues."