Customer Reviews

The Place and the Time

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Always a great live performer, but Forbert's recorded work often doesn't equal the energy, intimacy, and passion that he exhibits so consistently with a live audience. This new album, The Place and the Time displays all of those qualities,and also features great songs, a tight group of seasoned musicians, nice backing vocals, and production that compliments rather than overwhelms Steve's vocals. Steve wisely chose his tight touring band as the nucleus for this recording, and added a couple of fine musicians and the backing vocals of Becca Bramlett. The result is the best recorded work that Steve has released in a long time. Opening with the lovely and charming "Blackbird Tune", then follows with the energetic and soulful "Sing It Again, My Friend", and continues with more terrific songs, like the bluesy "Write Me A Raincheck", the melodic "Who'll Watch the Sunset", an awesome song by Devin Greenwood - "Building Me a Fire", and a classic Forbert song "Hang On Again Till the Sun Shines", which is probably my favorite, if I had to pick one. In summary, the best Steve Forbert recording in years, and one you shouldn't pass by.

I had to smile when I opened the envelope containing Steve Forbert's latest CD On the Place and the Time, this past month. The return label was "Sam Forbert." Sam is one of Steve's twin boys. Dave is the other. That's right he named them Sam & Dave (Forbert). His daughter, Katherine, supplied some abstract art on the inside CD jacket.
I met Steve in 1980. He had returned home to Meridian, where he was playing at the Temple Theater. I was working for Frank Spain's sister station WHTV - TV 24. We were both in our early twenties.
He was famous. I was infamous. Jackrabbit Slim had released in late 1979 with his only Top 40 hit, "Romeo's Tune." I became a Forbert groupie, of sorts. I didn't follow him around the country. I just tried to convert as many as possible to his music.
A lot of time has past. On the Place and the Time is his 13th studio album. Steve also has released countless live CDs and a couple of DVDs. I'm the proud owner of all, even his third, Little Stevie Orbit and fourth, the self-titled Steve Forbert, which have never made it past vinyl.
We've talked quite a few times since that initial meeting and I've always found Steve personable and intellectually stimulating. The only subject I've found Steve doesn't like to get stuck on is the background to his songs. I can understand that.
Clifford Meth, who has worked for Billboard, once ask Steve about a particular song. "One track that disturbed me," Clifford said. - that I had a strong emotional reaction to - was `I Married a Girl.' What was the basis of that song?"
Steve answered "It's all in there. There's nothing more to say. I put it all right there." The song and much of Just Like There's Nothin' to It (2004) dealt with Steve's recent divorce. His next project, Strange Names & New Sensations (2007) found Steve back in good spirits with a new love from New Jersey.
Steve got more good news when Keith Urban included "Romeo's Tune" on his greatest hits CD, and Keith's wife, Nichole Kidman, included two of the Mississippian's songs, "Romeo's Tune" and "Goin' Down To Laurel" in her movie Margot at the Wedding (2007).
One reason Sam sent the CD is Steve is busy touring out west in Colorado, then New York before heading, at the end of May, to Scotland, Ireland and England. Yes, my friend is having another comeback. This latest CD, in my opinion, will only add to his success.
There's a catchy little tune "Labor Day 2008" which has airplay written all over it. Steve, relaxed with kids grown, and living in Nashville also included a little modern humor "Stolen Identity" about someone getting his credit card number and having lots of fun.
But for the most part this latest glimpse supplied the signature reflective nature of the singer / songwriter as in "Simply Must Move On."
Your marriage could not last last -- a meltdown to divorce,
The whole thing's over now, it's over (yes, of course).
You stand out on the street, the whole lawn's overgrown,
You'll look suspicious here, you simply must move on.
As with most of Steve's songs the lyrics are usually about himself, and pointed at his audience, who age with him. If you wonder about what something means I'd have to refer you to one of his earlier tunes, " If You've Gotta Ask You'll Never Know."
God's speed my friend.

Steve Forbert's musical tone and lyrical style is excellent.
I often wonder why he isn't as well known as he is.
Perhaps his relatively low profile of has kept his great artistry in check.

If you are at all a fan of folk-rock/Americana/alt-counry, and don't know Steve Forbert, There's no reason not to start with his latest work.

Steve was a classmate of mine back in Meridian High School. Back then he was convinced that his music would take him far and it has ! His storytelling lyrics charged by his just-gravelly-enough voice coupled with unassuming instrumentation have produced many great albums throughout the years. The Place And The Time is yet another display of Steve's unrelenting talent and continued testimony to his ability to conjure up tunes you can revisit time and time again never growing weary of them, just like old friends.
If you've not yet experienced Steve's craft, give some samples two or three listens. This guy really grows on you and The Place And The Time may be the place and the time to get you convinced !

I'm a big Forbert fan. My favorite albums are: Alive on Arrival, The American In Me, and Steets of This Town. I now will add a 4th to this - The Place And The Time. This is an excellent album - the music is tight and the album has an excellent flow. The tone on this album is upbeat - almost happy. It's one of those albums that grows with each play and leaves you singing the lyrics in your head. There are easly radio play songs on this one - labor day '08 and the comical stolen identity. I would highly recommend this. If you only played it once - do yourself a favour - dust it off and play it again - you'll be happy you did.

I'll admit to having forgotten about Mr. Forbert's talents for some years, but was reminded recently when he was interviewed on NPR. Such a thoughtful singer/song writer, and willing to toss in the occasional humorous song or heart-felt ballad too. Still a quality act, and an excellent CD.

Another terrific album from Steve. A little more upbeat than the last one.

Steve Forbert was one of those "Next Bob Dylans," as critics hailed him in the 1970s. And to a degree, they were right. Forbert might not have the street cred that Dylan has, but he has been writing incisive lyrics for more than 30 years, with the occasional fun tune sandwiched in between. "The Place and the Time" is no exception, with some beautiful love songs, some humor and some romping rock, all coming together in one neat package. Highly recommended, even if you haven't hear Forbert's recent stellar albums.

Have been buying his music ever since Jackrabbit Slim, decades ago. Good stuff. He should come to Europe more often, especially the Netherlands as sofar I haven't been able to see him live and I would like to.

I have been a Forbert fan since I first saw him live in 1979. Whenever possible, I still see him live, and he has never disappointed me. There are quite of few of his albums that I have worn out. There have been disappointments, like this one and the Mission album. When I bought this without sampling it first I forgot that, even though most of Forbert's music follows very similar patterns and is very distinctive, the quality over the years has been wildly inconsistent. Even so, he is one of the few genuine troubadors of our time, and is consistently underappreciated by the mainstream.

Enough with the explanation and pre-emptive apology. I could barely make it through this thing. There were one or two songs that were OK, but they sounded like tunes from earier albums with new (and not necessarily better) lyrics. I wish I had my $18 back, because I doubt I'll listen to it again. I'd rather break out American In Me, or Rocking Horse or one of his other truly great albums. This one is not, in my opinion, worthy of him.