Steve Howell — Yeah Man” — Out Of The Past Music
Fingerpicking guitarist and songster Steve Howell is a man of many talents, but his biggest superpower is time travel – that’s how he and his band, the Mighty Men, journey back into the past in search of music they love in order to make it fresh again.
Howell was thirteen when he first heard Mississippi John Hurt’s fingerpicking country blues. That experience became a revelation that opened the door to a new musical universe – and a 30-year career. “Since I was very young, I have loved the music from the early twentieth century,” the Texas native says. “This has been a constant in my life and been reflected in my repertoire.”
Howell’s latest album “Yeah Man,” is another cool collection of fine old and even older fine music that he adds to that repertoire. Joining him are his regular Mighty Men, Chris Michaels on electric guitar and vocals, Dave Hoffpauir on drums and vocals, and Jason Weinheimer on bass, keys, and vocals. They float effortlessly from blues into jazz, some old soul, a touch of doo-wop, spirituals, and a little dash of rock ‘n’ roll, ranging from the early 1900s to iconic mid-century melodies. Howell plays acoustic and electric guitars, and, of course, sings. Their music is vital, with an easy-rolling feel enhanced by Howell’s world-weary vocals.
Howell dips back nearly a century for the opener, swinging easily with “Long Lonesome Blues,” recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson in 1926. Next, Howell is achingly soulful on the title track, a 1978 gem from Eddie Hinton, a lead guitarist for the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. “20% Alcohol” is a whimsical whiskey-flavored blues from J.B. Hutto in 1968, with tough guitar work from the Mighty Men.
“One Mint Julep,” a libidinous 1952 romp by the Clovers, gets a jazzy instrumental treatment, with a little vocal assist from the Mighty Men, introduced by a lilting organ from Weinheimer and filled with bright guitar riffs. “Little Ol’ Wine Drinker Me” is a blast of country pop from the ’60s about a man drinking away his romantic troubles, an unlikely hit by actor Robert Mitchum in 1967. “I’m Glad For Your Sake” is a dreamy ballad with a doo-wop dance beat, by Peter Tinturin and Jack Lawrence. First released in 1937 by Andy Kirk and His Clouds of Joy, Howell says his favorite version is the 1968 cover by the Sir Douglas Quintet.
“Just Like Romeo and Juliet” is a bouncy ode to young love from Freddie Gorman and Bob Hamilton, and was a hit for the doo-wop group, The Reflections, in 1964. Organ and guitar interplay with an R&B twist highlight the instrumental version of “Mercy Mercy Mercy,” by Joe Zawinul and a hit for jazz saxman Julian “Cannonball” Adderley in 1967. Howell reaches into rocker Bo Diddley’s songbook for 1958’s “Dearest Darling,” with Bo’s signature beat percolating at its bottom. Howell’s dusky vocal enhances “Lover Please,” the rhythmic Clyde McPhatter hit from 1962 written by Billy Swan. Traveling deep into musical history, Howell offers an uplifting version of the traditional spiritual “Wade In The Water,” published in 1901 and based on a version by the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The closer is a sensuous instrumental take on Bob Dylan’s 1964 anthem “Chimes Of Freedom,” with an elegant guitar solo that does poetic justice to its title.
The bright musical memories living in the tracks of “Yeah Man” represent another gorgeous trip back to the future with some of America’s classical music from Steve Howell’s master class in music appreciation. It deserves to be mightily appreciated – it’s a classical gas!
Here’s “991/2” from the album
Tracklist:
01.Long Lonesome Blues [Blind Lemon Jefferson]
02.Yeah Man [Edward Craig Hinton]
03.20% Alcohol [J.B.Hutto]
04.One Mint Julep [Rudolph Toombs]
05.Little Ol’ Wine Drinker Me [Dick Jennings]
06.I’m Glad for Your Sake [Peter Tinturin – Jack Lawrence]
07.Just Like Romeo and Juliet [Freddie Gorman – Bob Hamilton]
08.Mercy Mercy Mercy [Joe Zawinul]
09.Dearst Darling [Ellas Otha Bates McDaniel > Bo Didley]
10.Lover Please [Billy Swan]
11.Wade in the Water [traditional; spiritual]
12.Chimes of Freedom [Bob Dylan]
Blues Roadhouse 