Steve Louw – Between Time – Double LP
This is a pretty daring & ambitious showcase producing a double LP – even for a major artist like Bruce Springsteen, The Beatles, or Neil Diamond. So, what is there to say about Steve Louw? Well, on the introductory first tune “Alibi” Steve sounds promising. He has had a long career since 1990. A native of South Africa some tunes possess a traditional geographical musical mode (“Killers”) that only adds to his unique rock finesse.
The music comes across as energized pop. It works on all levels, has a mainstream commercial appeal with “We Had It All,” but is never compromised as disposable pop like so many songs today that become yesterday’s fruit. There are 10 tracks each on the 2 CDs that make up Between Time (Drops Sept. 6/BFD/The Orchard/Sony).
The tunes will be as catchy & simplistic as a Dwight Twilley, Phil Seymour, or Ian Gomm album. But there’s lots more meat on the bones of these compositions. The set was cut live in the studio & produced by Kevin Shirley. Good sound & Louw asserts himself on songs with his deft hand that guides throughout fully capable with precise musicians. It’s evident with “Giants Walk the Land,” co-written by Jim Moginie of Midnight Oil (electric guitar/keys). The song glides through a land once occupied by Procol Harum & Robin Trower. Great work.
There’s no indication in the PR why this became a double effort. Maybe they were on a roll & sounded so good they just kept going. There is, after all, a guest appearance by lead guitarist Joe Bonamassa on CD2 on the driving “Cruel Hand of Fate.” Tunes are even supercharged with late 60s wah-wah pedal & other guitar theatrics that sound quite impressive. Youngsters unfamiliar with these early sonics will get a thrill with this slip-in.
The band is fairly spare — a mere 5 members & achieves auditory scenarios a larger unit would aspire to. Some tunes border on straight-ahead hard rock but maintain a marginal intensity. Nothing is overplayed, pretentious, or bombastic.
CD2 opens with a more bluesy jaunt on “Get Real Gone,” – ironically it’s what Elvis Presley said in the Sun studio to his musicians when he wanted to up the ante on a particular rhythm. Tom Waits borrowed the words for an entire album. This song rocks with just enough guts & energy without sounding retro.
From the bluesy to the soulful rock penetration of “Take Me For a Ride,” & “You ‘n Me Tonight,” both filled with joyous supporting voices & Steve’s testimonial Stax Records vocals. If Otis Redding were alive today, he’d cover these. The music consistently stimulates the ear & settles comfortably in the brain. Good music doesn’t have to make the walls shake. But it can peel wallpaper as it drifts through the room. This is a good rock n’ roll album. It covers many bases, but the base visited most would be Tom Petty (sample “Ever Be Undone”) as performed by Steve with a driving Bruce Springsteen touch.
Yeah, this is worth 2 discs & the instrumental jam that concludes the coda “Highway To the Sun” will make a Grateful Dead fan stop & listen. Headphones anyone?
Highlights – CD1 (44:30) – “Alibi,” “We Had It All,” “Beggar Tonight,” “Giants Walk the Land,” “Killers,” “Streetjanes Dream #3” & “Flowers From The Graves of Doves.”
CD2 (40:54) – “Get Real Gone,” “Take Me For a Ride,” “Streets of Rain,” “Cruel Hand of Fate” & “Ever Be Undone.”
Musicians – Steve (acoustic guitar/vocals), Doug Lancio (electric guitar/mandolin), Kevin McKendree (keys), Alison Prestwood (bass) & Greg Morrow (drums/percussion) with Lachy Doley (Hammond on “Streets of Rain”), Randy Flowers (electric guitar), Rob McNelley (electric guitar) & Danielle DeAndrea, Kim Fleming, Devonne Fowlkes, Jade MacRae (backing vocals).
Color image courtesy of Steve’s website gallery. CD images courtesy of Jacqui van Staden.
A 20pp stitched lyric insert is included. CD @ https://stevelouw.com/albums/steve-louw-between-time/
Enjoy our interview here: Interview: Steve Louw Weathers “Thunder and Rain”
