Customer Reviews

Evergreen Boy

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Evergreen Boy is the latest release by Steve Forbert, and again he demonstrates his singular ability to make music that reaches into your mind, heart and soul, and makes you glad that CD's are easily transportable. I take this disc with me to work, play it in the car, and still look forward to listening to it on the computer at night.

Almost every song on the CD is special. My biggest problem is determing which song is my favorite. One time it's "Now You Come Back" - the next, it will be "Strange" or "Listen To The Mockingbird." Sometimes we invest too much time and effort into determing why and how a song or an album (sorry, disc) is great. I've always believed that great music is felt as much as heard; that somehow it reaches and touches a part of you that can be neither defined nor expressed. Forbert may be the finest example of providing this connection without the benefit of mass airplay.

A friend used to tell me he wouldn't buy a new CD unless he had heard (and liked) 3 songs from the artist on the radio. The major flaw in his theory is that he will never enjoy the talent of Forbert, who hasn't been played on the radio in over two decades. Unfortunately for far too many people who only buy what they hear on the radio, they will never get to enjoy Forbert. Luckily for my friend, I'll send him a copy of Evergreen Boy for his next birthday.

Being mildly disappointed with the last few Forbert releases I was somewhat apprehensive about his latest outing. There were moments of brilliance in the last few years-- "It Is What It Is" and "Trouble With Angels"among others... but the rest of his recordings were sometimes overproduced and not always strong from start to finish. Having said that "Evergreen Boy" is Forberts best work in years...maybe ever. Although the production is simple, the stories and feeling incorporated in them are not. From the opening track the recording demands your attention and keeps it on your journey through the 13 songs. "Strange," a song about best friends seperated by their own stubborness is my personal favorite. The CD flows wonderfully and is one of those rare recordings that doesn't get tiring. As mentioned below Forbert is now an artist years removed from radio..and its a shame. His style and lyrics include an honesty and feeling rarely found these days.

Steve Forbert has produced consistently great music for over 20 years, and certainly doesn't disappoint with his latest release.

His previous two recordings, MISSION OF THE CROSSROAD PALMS and ROCKING HORSE HEAD were outstanding, but EVERGREEN BOY may be, from beginning to end, his finest work since his critically hailed debut, ALIVE ON ARRIVAL, all those years ago.

There are many highlights here. The ballad "Rose Marie," the beautifully haunting "Winter Song," the simple yet poignant "Listen To the Mockingbird," and the album's catchiest tune "Now You Come Back" will all stay in your head after you've pushed the "stop" button on the stereo.

Forbert is the proverbial "Everyman" telling stories of every day life - sometimes comically, sometimes cynically, but always on the mark.

Some Forbert enthusiasts may agree that his music was over-produced in the years immediately following his debut. Not so here. The production is perfectly understated, with minimal horns and sporadic, yet slick, guitar licks boosting the songs just a notch, but never over the top.

In simple terms, Forbert is just very, very good at what he does, and these twelve tracks prove that point, as do the other hundred or so songs this troubador has released over the past 22 years. Sadly, most of his music has gone virtually unnoticed.

If you haven't noticed Steve Forbert yet, it's time you do. Check out EVERGREEN BOY and it's guaranteed you'll be searching for other recordings by this immensely talented songwriter.

Evergreen Boy is yet another quality release from America's most talented, yet overlooked, folk-country-rock artist of the past twenty years. The combination of songwriting, guitar playing, harmonica, and vocals is truly extraordinary. I would encourage anyone interested in the folk-rock genre to give Steve Forbert a listen, and Evergreen Boy is as good a place to start as anywhere (although I highly recommend The American in Me, Streets of this Town, and Rocking Horse Head).

With that said, I do have some minor criticisms of Evergreen Boy. First, while several cuts are as good as anything he has done ("Something's Got a Hold on Me," "Strange," "Rose Marie"), others grow tiresome with play ("Winter Song," "Breaking Through," "Trusting Old Soul"), and the song "It Doesn't Matter Much," while catchy, is a bit trite. Second, in contrast to Forbert's previous releases, I find Evergreen Boy a bit too subdued (melancholy?) for my taste. Perhaps like the calming effect of a good brandy on occasion, but too uniform nonetheless. What I have enjoyed most about Forbert's past releases is the mixture of insightful songs of introspection with "lightning-in-his-bones" rock n' roll. Evergreen Boy delivers on the former, but is devoid of the latter. Perhaps Forbert is simply in a subdued mood these days. Finally, I CAN BARELY HEAR FORBERT'S ACOUSTIC GUITAR OVER THE POUNDING DRUMS & BASS!!

All in all, a quality release, if not a bit one dimensional.

Steve Forbert continues to set the standards for today's singer/songwriters, although none come close rivaling him. Steve's melodies are always unique but memorable and his lyrics touch on things that we can relate to in our every day lives. Steve escapes the cliches and self-indulgences so prevalent with other artists today. Because of this, he is always a breath of fresh air. While "Evergreen" is not his best work to date it stands out amongst the available choices from other artists and is a great CD. If you are looking for a CD filled with quality music ranging from from folk to rock all with engaging lyrics, you will listen to this CD over and over. Even better yet, you will discover an artist that you always knew ("Romeo's Tune") but not well enough. Later works such as "Mission of the Crossroad Palms", "Be Here Again 98" and "Rocking Horse Head" define one of the most underrated and influential songwriters of our time. It is a must for any Forbert fan of course but if you want the inside scoop on a great secret pick up this CD.

I never met a Steve Forbert album I didn't like, but this CD is truly a gem! Both lyrically and musically, this is the best Forbert recording in a decade. A Forbert CD is more fully appreciated after repeated listenings, but this one grabbed me on the first listen. I haven't been this impressed since "Streets of This Town." This is a beautifully produced CD, without being over-produced. The soulful and rhythmic sound perfectly compliments Forbert's playing and vocals, and his songs are collectively the best he has ever assembled on one album. This CD is no more likely to be a big commercial success than previous ones, but that's OK. The enlightened ones who seek out this CD will find a near-perfect gem.

Hello out there in cyberspace. One expects a review of this new CD by Steve Forbert to be read mostly by his fans, so I suppose I am "preaching to the choir".

This new collection of songs are infused with lots of the wisdom, weariness, and observations of the irony found in everyday life, typical of Mr. Forbert. Noticeably absent are the Steve Fobert tunes that cook. Instead these tunes simmer.Some of the words get blurred in the background. The songs come from the heart, and they gently bemoan the spiritual dearth in America. "The kind of car you drive, won't keep your love alive" laments Mr. Forbert in one song.

Hello out there in cyberspace....if you have not heard of Steve Forbert, and are not really aware of his stuff, you owe it to yourself to discover one of America's best modern story telling/ song writers. This CD is a great place to start !

What do you get when you combine the lyrics of John Prine, the melodic progressions of Smokey Robinson and the emotional power of Bruce Springstein? Answer: Evergreen Boy by Steve Forbert. Don't buy this CD if you don't like listening to one over and over and over again believing Steve's music just may be your musical autobiography.

I bought this album 5 years ago in 2002. It was the first Steve Forbert CD I ever bought. I got it because I heard "Late Winter Song" on KRCL fm radio in Salt Lake City. At the end of the song, the DJ mistakingly said it was John Prine. (I think he'd played a John Prine tune just prior to that), so I went searching through John Prine CDs looking for that song (sound) to no avial.

Anyway, a couple weeks later that DJ played another song who's singer had that same voice. The song was "Your Own Hero". This time the DJ gave a different name - Steve Forbert. I'd never heard of him. (I was only 25)

Anyway, I didn't hesitate to buy the CD and it instantly became my favorite. Even as a 25 year old who had been listening to GratefulDead, Phish, Widespread Panic and the like, I felt the music of Steve Forbert really hit the nail on the head for me, and have since bought most of his albums. I prefer his later albums over his 70's hits.

Also, seeing him live reinforced my admiration for his talent.

If you get a chance to see Steve Forbert live, it's a real treat!

...oops, brainlock in my previous review. I meant to list Evergreen Boy on a par with The American In Me, Streets of This Town, Jackrabbit Slim and Alive on Arrival, not the self-titled record which I consider to be his least listenable.