Search - Steve Hunter :: Swept Away

Whirligig

Mark Champion | San Antonio, TX United States | 05/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yesirree, this one's a keeper. Mostly instrumental (two vocal tracks, actually), it's quite eclectic and (almost) everything works. "Goin' Down" and "Sea Sonata" are marred only slightly by Mr. Hunter's somewhat wobbly vocals. He tries so hard to sound authentically country/blues on the former that it sounds like satire - - which for all I can tell, it is. Hunter's pounding take on "Eight Miles High" owes less to the Byrds than it does to, say, contemporary Deep Purple and he makes it his own, all right - - heck, the guy had played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Lou Reed by this time and he was headed for, among others, Peter Gabriel. Ditto for "Sail On, Sailor"; it's as atmospheric a tribute as you could hope for, and has a swagger that the original only hinted at. (And omitting the word "sailor" from the refrain is sort of a musical nudge-wink.) The brief quote from "My Favorute Things" in "Rubber Man" is cute, too. Other standouts: the wide-screen, cinematic "Eldorado Street", the airy title track and the beautiful closer, "Deep Blue". Yes, the titles are evocative - - and the music lives right up to them. Bob Ezrin's beefy production doesn't hurt, either."

Long Overdue Diamond in the Rough

P. Dunlop | PORTLAND, OR United States | 04/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have a badly worn vinyl copy of this album. I pulled it out a year or so ago and transferred it to digital, thinking I would never see it on CD. Miracles never cease.



This was an album I liked the first time I heard it in 1977. The playing is smooth and the music is geniunely interesting. Hunter is probably a better guitar player than he is a singer, but even the singing isn't bad on this album.



Check out the high energy of Eight Miles High, the lead tune. Spectacular! What was side 2 of the vinyl album begins with Jasper St. Viaduct Guitar Rag. It is followed by a great version of Sail on Sailor. The rest of side 2 rolls along effortlessly, stitched together with artistic transitions and great playing.



It's amazing to see what some of the smaller labels are reissuing these days. This is a diamond in the rough. Order it today.

"

Diverse Hunter Licks

Thaddeus B. Rosemyer | Massena, NY USA | 02/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I always have loved Steve's works w/Lou Reed, Alice Cooper & his IRS '80s solo releases, and this reissue is glistening. The opener "Eight Miles High" is vintage Hunter aided by a rumbling rhythm workout w/Reed & Cooper bass vet Prakish John (coolest bass-cat ever!). Jim Gordon provides some startling drum fills as well. Play it loud! Things get experimental w/a variety of styles sampled, and "Sail On Sailor" soars w/some angelic siren vocals featuring future Rough Trade singer Carol Pope. Excellent production & long overdue cd reissue."