Steve Chapman Smith
Album: Justice
Label: Self Released
Tracks: 13
Website: http://www.stevechapmansmith.com/

Steve Chapman Smith is well known and respected on the Yorkshire acoustic music circuit as a songwriter, performer, sound engineer and promoter.

Steve's career as a musician includes spells in the renowned Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and Ghostdance as well as a number of other high profile bands. His current focus, however, is on solo performance and this début CD (which, due to writers block on my part, is well overdue a review) provides a reliable indication of what to expect at a Chapman Smith gig (though with added instrumentation and voices).

The CD's packaging suggests the straightforward approach to music making that is a feature of this artist's work. The disc is contained in a striking red jacket with just the arresting CD title and name of the performer on the front cover. An equally no nonsense sleeve insert provides details of the tracks, performers and recording location.

The opening track 'Angel Diaz' sets the tone for the rest of the CD - a superb piece of storytelling delivered with passion and commitment in a voice that, to these ears, lies somewhere between Tom Petty, Steve Earle and Bruce Springsteen. The remaining 14 songs, all written by Steve except for 'I Don't Give Up' - a notable and typically uncompromising offering from Joe Solo, provide an hour or so of engaging listening.

Inevitably some tracks have just that extra bit of impact that make them instantly memorable. These include ' Sonny' a slowly unfolding tragedy involving a veteran of the Vietnam war, country rocker 'Do Not Resuscitate' which ironically features a guitar refrain to die for, the slightly disturbing 'Sin' and final track 'Rise' which closes off a well sequenced album of fine songs with a superb anthem of protest.

Recommended!

Joe Grint