
Steve
Thorpe’s debut CD “Trouble” is
a history of the blues that encompasses everything from early
Delta, Chicago and Texas, to arrangements only Steve could envision,
and in Steve’s words, “My history of the blues”.
For the
traditional blues fan, the title cut “Trouble”, Steve
on acoustic slide guitar with Jim Essery (Allman Brothers) on
the harp and two traditional Delta tracks, “Can’t
Be Satisfied” and “Mean Old World” with Steve
on resonator guitar are sure to please. While “I Don’t
Love You Baby” and “Lonely In The Middle Of Love”
tickle that Texas vein, more straight up arrangements of “Meet
Me With Your Black Drawers On” and “Someday After
A While” sooth that smooth blues muscle. Then there is a
couple of tracks that just plain rock out, such as Steve’s
arrangements of “Let The Good Times Roll”, “She’s
Nineteen Years Old” and “Shoe”.
This
CD has performances from musicians of far reaching backgrounds.
On the bass for some tracks is Steve’s 20-year-old son Nathan,
who is the touring bass player as well. David Pastorius, who is
the nephew of the late Jaco Pastorius, contributed his bass playing
as well. David appears on the Heads Up Records release of “Word
of Mouth Revisited”, along with Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller
and many more stars on that project. Also on bass is ‘Buzzy’
Meekins who is from Tampa, Florida, formerly with Molly Hatchet
and Vassar Clements. Another bass great is Sharon Denton, who
toured many years with Eddy Kirkland and others. The last bass
player to mention from Chicago is David Jaxon, who was touring
at the time of this recording with Tyrone Davis.
A couple of excellent harp payers on the recording are Jim Essery,
formerly of the Allman Brothers Band and Warren Kocur, who worked
with Steve for several years in the late 90’s.
There are several drummers on the project. Derik Sexton, from
New Jersey, appears on most of the tracks. Don ‘Tree’
Reese and Tom Bayes, who is also the touring drummer with Steve,
round out the drummers who contributed their talent.
Last, but not least, Kenny Clarke on piano and organ. Kenny is
a long time band member with Steve. In addition to the keyboards,
Kenny engineered most of the tracks on “Trouble”.
Kenny, Tom, Buzzy and Steve toured with ‘Big’ Bill
Morganfield and worked as the Steve Thorpe Blues Orchestra while
this CD was being recorded.
It seems like we’ve waited on this CD forever. It’s
done and we’re glad to present it to all our fans, old and
new, that support us so faithfully.
Preview
and purchase 'Trouble' at these fine retailers.