Customer Reviews

Swept Away

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4 star:		(3)
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Yesirree, this one's a keeper. Mostly instrumental (two vocal tracks, actually), it's quite eclectic and (almost) everything works. "Goin' Down" and "Sea Sonata" are marred only slightly by Mr. Hunter's somewhat wobbly vocals. He tries so hard to sound authentically country/blues on the former that it sounds like satire - - which for all I can tell, it is. Hunter's pounding take on "Eight Miles High" owes less to the Byrds than it does to, say, contemporary Deep Purple and he makes it his own, all right - - heck, the guy had played with everyone from Alice Cooper to Lou Reed by this time and he was headed for, among others, Peter Gabriel. Ditto for "Sail On, Sailor"; it's as atmospheric a tribute as you could hope for, and has a swagger that the original only hinted at. (And omitting the word "sailor" from the refrain is sort of a musical nudge-wink.) The brief quote from "My Favorute Things" in "Rubber Man" is cute, too. Other standouts: the wide-screen, cinematic "Eldorado Street", the airy title track and the beautiful closer, "Deep Blue". Yes, the titles are evocative - - and the music lives right up to them. Bob Ezrin's beefy production doesn't hurt, either.

I have a badly worn vinyl copy of this album. I pulled it out a year or so ago and transferred it to digital, thinking I would never see it on CD. Miracles never cease.

This was an album I liked the first time I heard it in 1977. The playing is smooth and the music is geniunely interesting. Hunter is probably a better guitar player than he is a singer, but even the singing isn't bad on this album.

Check out the high energy of Eight Miles High, the lead tune. Spectacular! What was side 2 of the vinyl album begins with Jasper St. Viaduct Guitar Rag. It is followed by a great version of Sail on Sailor. The rest of side 2 rolls along effortlessly, stitched together with artistic transitions and great playing.

It's amazing to see what some of the smaller labels are reissuing these days. This is a diamond in the rough. Order it today.

I always have loved Steve's works w/Lou Reed, Alice Cooper & his IRS '80s solo releases, and this reissue is glistening. The opener "Eight Miles High" is vintage Hunter aided by a rumbling rhythm workout w/Reed & Cooper bass vet Prakish John (coolest bass-cat ever!). Jim Gordon provides some startling drum fills as well. Play it loud! Things get experimental w/a variety of styles sampled, and "Sail On Sailor" soars w/some angelic siren vocals featuring future Rough Trade singer Carol Pope. Excellent production & long overdue cd reissue.

Steve Hunter is a master rock and blues guitarist. I bought this vinyl album back in 1975. It has always been one of my favorites. This CD includes many diverse musical styles and it's all high quality. The audio production throughout is wide open and the ambiance on the song, Swept Away, is rich. If you appreciate fine guitar playing - get this CD.

As the author of the Jefferson Airplane book "Take Me To A Circus Tent" and a former radio disc-jockey, I am often asked to write and or discuss various recordings from the 60's and 70's.

To most, Steve Hunter is in the shadows. If you saw him down the street, he could be the new neighbor, the local deliveryman, or an executive at a Fortune 500 company. In the rock and roll world, Hunter is never in a shadow. He is a well-known entity for his resume and compatibility with any level of musician.

He's played with Mitch Ryder, Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, and Jack Bruce. That doesn't even scratch the surface of his time in the studio as a session player.

In 1977, Hunter released a solo record "Swept Away" with some of the most diverse rock and roll heard during that year and artistically impressive cover versions of some extraordinary tunes.

The opening track is his tremendous rendition of the Byrds tune "Eight Miles High." Flavored here as an instrumental the first words are always "This is fabulous. Who is this guy."

Hunter puts the blues hat on for the traditional "Goin Down" and here is an example of his superlative ability. It is one thing to have far reaching musical tastes and to record the proper renditions, but Hunter has every last detail down to a science. The sound of the guitar is in perfect harmony with the lineage of the song.

"Sail On Sailor" is the song the Beach Boys recorded and issued the definitive version. Hunter composed a four and one half minute gem of a cover tune resulting in pure beauty.

"Jasper St. Viaduct Citar Rag" sounds as if Jorma Kaukonen from the Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna is dictating the structure of the tune. The way Hunter makes every note resonate and have meaning further solidifies this release as a hidden treasure. This is one of his own compositions.

"Deep Blue" another Hunter penned song has the earmarks of a George Harrison solo tune. Hunter puts the listener in a relaxed mode as the tenth and final selection of the album comes our way.

If the drums appear to enhance the material, you can thank Steve for selecting Jim Gordon. A few of his credits include the Beach Boys, Monkees, John Lennon, Traffic, Eric Clapton, and George Harrison all before 1974!!

Like everyone else, I had it in album form, passed it down to a favorite niece. Eight Miles High is the purest rock 'n roll guitar drum bash I have ever heard, never forgot the beat. Steve's guitar is one on one the best ever. Every note is meant to be listened to. Don't wait around to buy this and go 20+ years scratching around to hear this man play. Enjoy!

I loved this "album" back when it first came out. Steve Hunter plays very diverse styles in this one album ranging from tropical jazz, to hard rock, with some blues and progressive instumental jazz smattered in between.
Steve Hunter played with Alice Cooper, Lou Reed, and Peter Gabriel.
This is an excellent collection of songs from a very under rated musician.
Mr. Hunter,
Thank you for these songs that I associate great memories with back in the late seventies and early eighties.

If you like blues-based guitarists, you are probably already familiar with the guy who was known as one of the most influential players of the '70s. He worked with Jack Bruce and Mitch Ryder before becoming famous for his "Intro" on Lou Reed's live Rock-n-Roll Animal album. The twin lead guitars of Steve Hunter and Dick Wagner brought tasteful, fluid melody and scorchingly soaring solos to Reed's otherwise spartan tunes. Lou Reed Live was also taken from the same concert as Rock-n-Roll Animal and has the same energy and inspired performances by the same band that later went on to tour and record with Alice Cooper in the mid to late '70s. If you like the lead guitar from Aerosmith's Train Kept-a-Rollin from the Get Your Wings album, that is Steve Hunter playing in an un-credited performance. Steve Hunter plays brilliantly but he's not the kind of guy who jumps around the stage. He's all about the music and this album, Swept Away was his first solo effort. Its mostly electric with Steve's beautifully crafted solos soaring above the solid rhythm section of Jim Gordon on drums, Jim Maelen on percussion, Prakash John on bass and Josef Chirowski and Bob Ezrin contributing on keyboards The title tune has a jazzy feel with sort of a Brazilian bossa nova rhythm. Eight Miles High is an instrumental version of the Byrds' hit with a rocking beat and Steve wailing with his tasteful phrasing and beautiful tone. Check out a tune called Sea Sonata. Steve builds the composition with the prettiest leads that culminate in a brilliant solo at the end that'll put chills on your spine. His version of the Beach Boys" Sail on Sailor" is the best version you'll ever hear of that song...his blues playing embellishes that number so tastefully and the only vocals are at the chorus. Its perfectly executed. Deep Blue is an artfully atmospheric piece and Rubber Man has a funky feel.
Eldorado Street is also a favorite of mine. What more can I say? I bought this album on vinyl back in '77 and its pretty worn out. I was delighted to find it available on cd.