Steve Forbert: Streets Of This Town 1988

 

Steve Forbert is one of the few artists who can mesmerize a crowd with nothing but a distinctive voice,

an acoustic guitar and his trusty harmonica slung around his neck. More than four decades have passed since Forbert first made his way to New York City from Meridian, Mississippi and his intimate verbal imagery, paired with a roots-rock musical approach, struck a chord with millions of people during the transitional period between ‘70s folk-rock and ‘80s New Wave.
                        

[Steve Forbert began his career as auspiciously as any young artist could have possibly hoped -- a recording contract by the time he was 23, a critically acclaimed debut record, and a hit single from its follow-up. On the flip side, in just five years he found himself in record industry limbo when his label

wouldn't release what would have been his fifth album, while at the same time refusing to free him from his contract. Following a drawn-out legal battle, Forbert, with the help of E Street Band bassist Garry W. Tallent, returned nearly six years later with 1988's Streets of This Town. As producer, Tallent succeeds in capturing Forbert's folk-rock at its best, with just the right mix of muscle ("Don't Tell Me [I Know]," "Wait a Little Longer"), pop ("Running On Love," "Perfect Stranger"), and insight ("I Blinked Once," "Search Your Heart").
              

He also brings a cohesiveness to Forbert's sound that had been lacking since his first recording. And while there are understandable bits of frustration and anger throughout, there's also a prevailing feeling of "Hope, Faith and Love" (a song title), as well as a refreshing sense of perspective. Just the fact that

he kicks things off with the buoyant "Running on Love" and closes with the beautifully uplifting "Search Your Heart" lets you know that this isn't whiny, singer/songwriter fodder. At 33, Forbert is wise enough to know that what's done is done, and the only way to move beyond it is to look forward. Despite a welcome reception at the time of its release, Streets of This Town never quite fulfilled the commercial hope set for Steve Forbert back in the late '70s. Still, it was a strong comeback, and his best since Alive On Arrival was issued ten years prior.
By Brett Hartenbach]

Steve Forbert – Streets Of This Town
Label: Geffen Records – 9 24194-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Rock, Pop
Style: Classic Rock, Country Rock

TRACKS

                      

01. Running On Love    3:32
02. Don't Tell Me (I Know)    3:33
03. I Blinked Once    4:45
04. Mexico    3:30
05. As We Live And Breathe    3:18
06. On The Streets Of This Town    3:39
07. Hope, Faith And Love    3:41
08. Perfect Stranger    3:33
09. Wait A Little Longer    3:45
10. Stretch Your Heart    4:38

CREDITS

Bass – Danny Counts
Drums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Bobby Lloyd Hicks
Electric Guitar – Nils Lofgren (tracks: 9)
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Paul Errico
Lead Guitar – Steve Forbert (tracks: 2, 9)
Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals – Clay Barnes
Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain (tracks: 7, 9), Jan Topoleski (tracks: 4), Michael Frondelli (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Mixed By [Assistant] – Gary Solomon (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 10), George Signore (tracks: 4), Jay Healy (tracks: 7, 9)
Percussion – Ernest Carter (tracks: 2)
Producer – Garry Tallent
Recorded By – Jan Topoleski
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonica – Steve Forbert
Written-By – Steve Forbert

MP3 @ 320 Size: 92 MB
Flac  Size: 236 MB

Steve Forbert Albums on Urban Aspirines HERE