Songs on a Stick is the new album featuring a collaborative effort by Todd Steed and longtime pal, Owen Davis. The songs were written over a period last summer while they both were in China. This is something that I got to play on a couple of tunes but never heard the other ones until the record came out. Honestly, I thought that it would be good because Todd is on an incredible run of high quality albums. But both in subject matter and music, this is a much deeper and more realized album than I was expecting. Some of it ranks up there near Todd’s best work which is a very high bar. It truly is a fantastic record done with great spirit and creativity. It’s for sure available locally at Raven Records and at Todd’s bandcamp page (see below). Highly recommended. Here are a few highlights. “Blue Skies of Beijing” – Todd and Owen. Nice uptempo song featuring horns, notable for the fact that Todd and Owen both share lead vocals. Not something Todd’s done a lot of. Excellent kick off song. “Regarding Eggs on Airplanes" - Todd. This is the type of song that Todd is great at. Taking serious philosophical perspectives and delivering them in a non preachy way with a lot of humor involved. “Don’t eat eggs on aeroplanes, help out folks and don’t cause pain. If you’re sleepy, go ahead and sleep. When you can, won’t you laugh and sing. Even if you’re suffering. Grab somebody’s hand when the water’s deep” This was one I played drums on but the highlight musically is Ben Maney’s piano work along with the group backup vocals. “Ni Hao, Thomas Yao.” - Owen. Might be my favorite song on the record. A so long song to a colleague. “Ni Hao, Thomas Yao, are you stuck inside your lab? You play a lovely cello, don’t let your life become a drag.” Beautiful sentiments and playing. "Pineapple Beer" - Todd and Owen. And ode to shitty beer. Apparently not just a North American experience. “Some things in life are confusing, other things don’t make sense. But one thing I know, where you gonna go. To get a colonoscopy prep for 39 cents.” “I’m Slowing Down” - Todd. To me, Todd’s best song on the record and contender for overall best song. One that most reminds me of Smokin’ Dave. Probably the most musically adventurous as well with its touches of psychedelia. Especially in the wonderful outro. “This planet spins around too slow” seems to be a lyrical reference to a line in "Planet of Stone" when Todd sang years ago, “This planet spins around too fast”. As Lou said, those were different times. Rick Ravenscroft’s drumming is fantastic on this as is the musicianship all around. "Z-19" - Owen. Another of my favorites. Z-19 being a train. “Asia my dear, it’s been a long time., you’re a beauty but you’re sometimes mean. I’ve have come way back to you from the window of a Z-19.” Also, “My wife she fell in love with me, in a taxi in a flooded street. When all seemed lost, well it all came true, just like my old stories.” Just a wonderful song. Anyway, this is a great album that mixes humor with serious topics in right measure by two very creative guys. As Bobby Boucher would say "This is some high quality H2O". You can preview below for free. toddsteed.bandcamp/releases
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:30:19 +0000