Steve (The Deacon) Hunter’s new 10-track CD release is one part covers and one part originals. In total, a great showcase of his arranging skills and guitar prowess.
Of particular interest, he now sings his own songs — a first since his 1977 debut solo, Swept Away, when afterwards he decided to no longer sing. Decades later he gave it another shot. Self-described, Hunter likens his voice somewhere between Dr. John and Tom Waits.
Hunter kicks off with Willie Dixon’s “Back Door Man.” Opening downbeat starts with bright, crisp guitar soloing before the first verse debuts his weathered, deep, baritone voice. A contrast to the guitar riffs crying between lyrics. His voice embodies the blues-lore of a sinister lover ready to slip out the back.
Next, enter Hunter’s first original on the release: “Tiresome Blues.” He opens with a gravely round of pleas to a cool, slow groove calling the listener’s attention with rounds of “hey, heys” and moans that preclude singing of a painful lot in life. The first verse of despair segues into the chorus’ proclamation: “I’m not going to worry no more.” This hint of hope musically builds with well-placed, rhythmic, Fender Rhodes keyboard chords. Momentum builds further through the song. Break to a delicious guitar solo before verse, and a chorus that vamps out to a gospel vocal ease. Drums pounding with conviction before returning to the opening guitar riff for the outro. Masterful.
The third track, “Independent Soul,” is an original composition written by his wife and musical collaborator Karen. This song returns to a jazzier sound beckoning tracks from his 2013 Manhattan Blues Project recording and featuring sparse keyboard chords, soft brushes on drums with back-beat bass that works into a smooth walking bass-line. A musical canvas for Hunter’s voice, by now a firmly established timbre. Karen’s sultry chorus line wraps in a dynamic a cappella break. The song ends with scattered chiming keyboard notes and a few resolving bass lines. The essence of a late night, urban, soul-nurturing jazz underground.
“The Ballad of John Henry Gates” shows Hunter’s diverse playing styles. He plays in a Piedmont blues style inspired by Merle Travis’s style. Front-porch, finger-picking, rhythmic, with droning notes playing underneath. A sharecropper’s stomp, intricate and energetic throughout.“He shows his love with the back of his hand.” Lyrically Hunter sketches the story of his grandfather, a struggling, drinking, hard working, loyal, complex everyman. It’s in a similar spirit of the traditional “John Henry” while completely original.
Annabel’s Blues is a Pink Floyd-esque instrumental soundscape with lap steel guitar, blended acoustic guitar and keys. Brief, with a certain atmospheric comfort.
The second half, Hunter pays tribute to a few of his favorite songs: Lou Reed’s “Sweet Jane,” The Stones’ “Waiting For A Friend,” Hendrix’s “Up From The Skies,” and Bill Withers’ “Who Is He and What is He to You?” Hunter takes these well-known songs and makes them his own. Between the intimacy of his voice, sparse arrangements of guitar and open space, he has his own interpretations. The vocals are mixed up front for listeners to really take in the lyrics.
“Sweet Jane” has a deep connection as he played it live with Reed on tour. Hunter notes that Jimi was a brilliant lyricist and his words were always overshadowed by his playing. So his version gives prominence to the lyrics. Hunter’s style has punch, focusing on the beauty of the originally penned melodies and song structures. A departure from these familiar recordings.
The release ends with “In A Lonely Place,” a Hunter original. Electric piano lays the bed for weeping guitar leads with occasional dissonant notes that provide slight tension. The minor key accompaniment resolves in the end, shifting to angelic strings and sustained choral momentum which breaks the somberness. Sonically he swoons through isolation in its various moods.
A great collection of songs worthy of repeated playlist time. Guitar aficionados will enjoy a close listen to his guitar mastery, particularly his solos.
Track List:
Back Door Man
Tiresome Blues
Independent Soul
The Ballad of John Henry Gates
Annebel’s Blues
Up From The Skies
Sweet Jane.
Waiting For A Friend
Who Is He and What is He to You?
In A Lonely Place
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