(3 / 5)
Steve Logan possesses a fine voice and clearly works hard on the song writing side of his skills. Both are presented well on his new album “Backstreets Of Eden”. He stretches across a wide variety of electric, roots and folk influences that keep the album on it’s toes. He also keeps the album good and melodic, which is in no small part aided by his vocals.
Logan, who has released three albums prior to this one, cut his teeth in indie and covers bands; most notably as lead singer for a Free tribute band. Maybe “Backstreets Of Eden” will see him fully shake off the shackles of covers band and tribute act performances and focus more on his own material.
He also goes out under the banner of a solo Neil Young tribute show; paying affectionate homage to one of his musical heroes and main inspirations. Busy boy…
The dozen cuts here run just over 75 minutes, including a couple of tracks that weigh in at more than the eight minute mark. The songs not only cover a lot of musical ground but are also lyrically wide ranging. Said lyrics can be investigated in detail in the extensive booklet, that also contains snaps of Steve on his travels around the globe.
Highlights include the fragile and acoustic title track, and the electric ode to a blues man, “Lead In My Pencil”, and the acoustic closer, “Hyacinth Girl”, with major nods to Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” perhaps.
Steve keeps the project in the family; the Egon Schiele-esque female nude line drawing on the cover, drawn by his wife Judy, who is also the main photographer.
All in all, a lot to dig into here – especially for fans of Dylan and Neil Young. The only fly in the ointment is the, at times, low sound production values – which threaten to completely derail all the hard work that Steve and his mates (Rhys Wilson on guitars, Andy Cross on bass and Phil Bryants on drums) and his wife Judy, have invested into this 12-track, highly personal work.
By Giles Robson
(1 / 5) ‘Dull Zone’
(2 / 5) ‘OK Zone’ (3 / 5) ‘Decent Zone’
(4 / 5) ‘Super Zone’
(5 / 5) ‘Awesome Zone’
