Customer Reviews

The Naked Dutch Painter and Other Songs

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Well, I am now officially a "Stew" fan. I ran across Stew on [...] doing a song called "Black Men Ski," and was entertained enough that it stuck in my head. To be fair, I was as entertained by the audiences reaction as anything. I then, totally unrelated and by accident, saw someone on a forum make a reference to "The Naked Dutch Painter." Hey, with a name like that I had to look it up! One listen lead to another, and next thing I knew I had the CD! Now I need another one! While not all the songs are as good as the "Naked Dutch Painter," many of them are very neat in their own way. Not all are funny and some are downright disturbing, but I'm okay with that! And again, to be honest, if you are strictly a "top 40's" kind of person, you probably aren't going to like this. The lyrics and music both tend to be off the normal, beaten path, and some of the messages are not always comfy. But still a great listen if you like random weird stuff!

Heard Stew... and bought this CD based on hearing two or three songs. Best "discovery" I've made in a long, long time. Stew is one of a kind, a genius as an arranger, a clever (and irreverant) lyricist, a haunting voice (kind of a Cat Stevens meets Dave Matthews meets Joe Cocker meets...), etc. These songs root in your head and the CD plays as if it's the first listen each time you spin it. Also, I'd be remiss not to mention the outstanding contribution base player Heidi Rodewald makes to this CD. Her background vocals are sublime and take these songs to another dimension. Bravos abound with this musical masterpiece!

The Stew Ensemble blends clever and sometimes funny lyrics with a beautifully arranged mix of soul, pop, rock and a little show tunes influence to make the mixture that is uniquely them. The samples you find here are not a good indication of what the disc is like, but trust me, unless your just a diehard metalhead, you'll love this CD.

Stew is a storyteller first and a singer/composer second and that is OK because he's decent at that as well. I say decent because if he were any better than he was now than I would have a tough time paying attention to his lyrics and I'd get carried away in the music. The music is occasionally excellent accompaniment, and usually passable, but that's all that it has to be. The stories that he tells are interesting and he knows that the characters he presents are the high points and not his singing voice necessarily. He has no pride when it comes to his songs, at least that's the impression this CD gives me. This is a CD that you truly listen to. One thing that doesn't make sense to me is why there are bleeped out portions on the live tracks and yet he curses on "Naked Dutch Painter." Kind of odd if you ask me. Sometimes the portions where he talks to the audience about why he wrote a song and what it's about is very pertinent to the piece and it helps the CD ease along knowing what he tells you. I haven't listened to any of his music before this album, but this has to be a high point in his career.

Stew is awesome! Witty lyrics, a jammin' voice, set in mellow, melodic, tunes that carry you to wherever Stew wants you to go... Stew is great live, and this is a live recorded album. I highly recommend you buy it, along with "Guest Host", and The Negro Problem records, "Postminstrel Syndrome" and "Joys and Concerns"!

what can i say about this cd that has not already been said? this is stew's "pet sounds" album- it is creative and mysterious all at the same time. i was lucky enough to see him perform many of the songs before the release of the cd. only one word fits, "AMAZING". of course, i ran out to buy it right away and i recommend you do the same. i love me some STEW!

Stew is a true original, singing hip cabaret songs for the 21st century. The sound is fresh yet the songs feel almost like standards. Should appeal to people who disdain the corporate product that passes as music these days. This is the real thing. Don't miss it.

The Naked Dutch Painter is a perfect song. I rank it up there with Suzanne by Leonard Cohen. Like Cohen, Stew has this word-weary, Euro sound, kind of 60's, kind of intellectual. There's really no one else out there like him.

What's this one-star "Not all it's cracked up to be" review? S/he's a "music lover"? What kind of music???? I can't tell you how many people I've turned on to Stew's wonderful Naked Dutch Painter CD. The songs are bright and inspired in the great tradition of intelligent pop balladry. Does this so-called "music lover" know what kind of crap is out there that really deserves a one-star? What's a matter, did Stew not tip you enough one night at Denny's?

I enthusiastically urge everyone to get this amazing and unique CD! (as well as any of Stew's, or the Negro Problem's, other discs). The songs are catchy, funny and witty-- my favorite tunes keep changing! If you like this, you're in for a big treat, because his other 6 or 7 cds are filled with gems: a musical gold mine. Stew is my favorite 'active' songwriter.