Steve Gillette – Best of
For those unfamiliar, Steve is an artist who has released 14 albums throughout his career. He has been an accomplished singer-songwriter since 1968, with compositions covered by artists such as Linda Ronstadt, John Denver, Tammy Wynette, Garth Brooks, Jennifer Warnes, Kenny Rogers, Nanci Griffith, Don Williams, Waylon Jennings, and Anne Murray.
The Vermont-based Gillette gathered 12 choice folk-country pieces for his Best of (Dropped June 22/Compass Rose/40:51) collection has some of his most recognizable tunes on this well-recorded set. He comes across at times sounding like a solo Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul & Mary), who is also quite good. The lyrics are clever & well-constructed in the framework of the melodies. Many songwriters have distinctive styles – John Hiatt, Tim Hardin, John Prine, Randy Newman, Mickey Newbury, John Loudermilk, Steve Goodman, John Stewart & even Mike Nesmith. So…
Steve Gillette is in good company. Nothing is written heavy-handed with big production like Jimmy Webb’s “MacArthur Park.” Steve’s classic folk piece, written with Tom Campbell, “Darcy Farrow,” is a folk classic first recorded in 1965 by Ian & Sylvia, & recorded by over 300 artists.
Many of his songs are good ballads; others have a more rural, homegrown gentleness. But the storytelling is precise without being too pompous, wordy, or controversial (Newman’s “Short People”). While these songs won’t, at first, sound as if they are commercially driven or mainstream-oriented, they have the potential, depending on the arrangement, & the voice that’s applied. That’s the secret. Songs written as easy listening, such as an MOR ballad, can turn into a country hit.
Not everything is written purposely for Top 40 consumption, but Gillette can scribble his tunes into the realm of pop music, country, middle-of-the-road, easy listening, or folk & be effective with each. There’s more romance to Steve’s words than satire & dark situations. He’s closer to Mickey Newbury & Tim Hardin than Randy Newman, or Townes van Zandt.
Despite some of the song titles, I don’t find Gillette’s material country & western hokey. He has a serious rural thread with a light touch that runs through some of his tunes, but keeps the compositions grounded. There’s no silliness to the songs. He seldom veers into novelty territory the way Roger Miller would. This is probably why so many artists find his material attractive to cover.
And many of the artists who depend on Steve for material have given back fine versions of his work in their recordings.
Highlights – “Down Where the River Meets the Road,” “Song for Gamble,” “Spots On the Dice,” “God Is Love,” “Back On the Street Again,” & “The Old Trail.”
Musicians – Steve Gillette (vocals), Larry Atamanuik (drums), Dennis Crouch (bass), Greg Leisz (steel & slide guitar), Pete Wasner (piano/organ/Wurlitzer), Justin Weaver (electric & acoustic guitars), Cindy Mangsen (Mrs. Gillette), Kim Person & Lana Puckett (vocals).
Cover image courtesy of Thom Wolke. CD @ https://stevegillette.com/ & https://compassrosemusic.com/