|
MyJazzMail |
Over 3500 Users to date!
|
|
|
Who's Online |
We have 67 guests and 0 members online
Welcome Guest, become a member today.
|
|
|
CD Reviews: Steve Oliver “One Night Live”
|
Posted by: editoron Monday, July 28, 2008 - 09:58 AM |
|
By: Edward Blanco
Smooth jazz guitarist virtuoso Steve Oliver presents a new DVD/CD two-disc set capturing an electrifying live performance recorded at the State Theatre in Modesto, California playing many of his greatest hits. In addition, the CD also includes two originals not performed in concert (“This Fire” and “On The Upside”). Clearly one of the best Smooth jazz albums of the, “One Night Stand” reveals the talents of an amazing artist so versatile on the guitar that he actually makes it sing using a host of electronic aides, the guitar makes the vocal sound of “Do’s and Bop’s.”
Assisted only by drummer Humberto Vela who pounds the drums and provides the background percussions, Oliver is essentially a one man show playing various guitars and producing the sound of the bass, piano, flute, synthesizer, 12-string acoustic guitar and a full orchestra feeling, using only his guitars. An absolutely incredible performance especially on a live set. Oliver defines himself as a live performer playing and unheard of 200 hundred dates per year. This is the primary reason he chose to include a DVD with the CD since it shows the artist in the setting he’s most comfortable with.
Oliver uses two main “synth access” guitars to produce all of the instrumental sounds on the recording with the main guitar being the semi-hollow carved top Carvin SH575 where the sounds come from the guitars 13 pin cable connected to Oliver’s Roland pedal boards. On the beautiful “Sojourn” piece featuring the guitarist on solo drawing on the bass, 12-string acoustic guitar and creating the sounds of a symphony orchestra, Oliver uses the Carvin NS1 nylon string classical guitar. No matter which guitar he is playing or what instrument sounds he is reproducing with the electronic wizardry he has to call upon, the music produced by master guitarist Oliver is infectious, melodic and harmonically smooth to the core.
Whether he is voicing a tender lyrical piece as on “Fearless,” or spicing up the melody as on the Latin-shaded “Chips and Salsa” or just laying down one gorgeous smooth jazz melody with “Feeling Good,” the music is simply mesmerizing especially if you watch the DVD where the shear energy and power of the moment seem to come through the tube. The album is billed as “The Greatest Hits of Steve Oliver” and in that vein he reprises the tune “First View,” the title piece from his 1999 debut.
Other outstanding numbers include “Wings of Spring,” the almost funky “Bend or Break,” the acoustic teaser of “High Noon” and the light and soft vocal finale of
“Radiant Dreams.” No question about this one folks, if you favor the mellow as well as energetic music of smooth jazz, One Night Live is a must for your collection. A sensational performance by a master of the guitar, Steve Oliver lets it all hang out with a one man show that’s truly for the ages. Oliver provides but a glimpse of his enormous talent forever captured in a terrific DVD/CD 2-disc package for all to enjoy.
Year: 2008 Label: Nu Groove Records Artist Web: www.steveolivermusic.com
|
|
/images/spacer.gif) |
| |
|
| Steve Oliver “One Night Live” | Login/Create an account | Comments |
|
| | Comments are owned by the poster. We aren't responsible for their content. |
|
|
