STEVE
SALUTO - All that
I'd be (2003 level prod.)Steve Saluto - Guitar, vocals, bass
Edu Hebling - Bass, background vocals
Andrea Quinzi - Drums
Giorgio Frè - Keyboards, piano, organ
All that I'd be is Steve Saluto latest album, half recorded in a studio, and half live tracks.
Steve has bluesy, soulful approach to guitar and composition in general.
He reminds me a lot the latest Richie Kotzen, the one you can hear from 'Mother's head family reunion' 'till our days.
Groovy riffs, rhythms that are reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and, as said before, of Kotzen.
The songs are well crafted, with strong melodies and beautiful hooks. Not to mention that Steve has a good, well rounded technique. Once again the comparison with Richie Kotzen is obvious, as Steve favours a smooth, ultra fluid legato approach to fills and solo lines.
Life is is one of my fave tracks, with a melody that will fix in your head and a cool solo with good fingerpickin'.
The title track is also well crafted, with fills that could have come out of Kotzen's best session.
Steve always plays for the song, leavin' out all the blazin' stuff when the song doesn't ask for it.
All of the studio tracks flow away smoothly, leavin' in you the impression that the guy has made his homework while comin' up with some songwritin' chops.
The live tracks are well recorded, with sounds that are perfect for Steve's style of music.
The band locks well together, and Steve playin' is in great shape. Good dynamic control on track 9, Steve! =)
There's also a guitar solo for guitar heads. More based on rhythm than flash, and we love that. The man has good fingerpickin' skills.
Well, all that said, we have also some criticism for the cd...
Steve's style is a bit too Kotzen-derivative, both in the compositions and in the guitar style when lead work comes in. But he hasn't Richie's voice, and that's a pity. Such strong songs are beggin' for a strong, bluesy voice, and unfortunately you are born with it, or you ain't.
Steve sings quite well, but his voice is not well suited for the kind of music he's playin'. We think (and it's just our two cents) that if you're tryin' to write songs that have strong vocal melodies, you should have a singer with a strong, charismatic voice.
We think that Steve
work is very good, and it could be just incredibly great if he hires
a good singer to sing his songs. This album would have been in our '10'
list if it just had stronger vocals.
Good work Steve, just keep writin' good music like this .
Rating: 7-1/2
(reviewed by Max)