| 
Can't Remember to Forget There is a lot of the philosopher in Steven Jaymes, the archetypal artist, the seeker, the seer, the bringer of the news, a man seduced by the revelations that can come from a simple chord progression, the telling of what seems, on the surface, a simple tale. Along the way, Steven has been quietly documenting his thoughts and observations with a sophistication that matches any of the top-ranking singer/songwriters you might care to name. More than the piano man, right now Jaymes is taking something of a country road, but in the end his music is about wonder, love, loss and connection. Born in New Zealand, Jaymes could have been born anywhere, and he’s certainly lived in enough places to be considered a citizen of the world. All that life experience has added to the insight that struck him when at 17, he was singing a Dylan song and suddenly a door opened and nothing was ever the same again. “Even in piano bars or small shows when I’ve got a group of 20 or 30 people on a quiet little evening when you go into that space and draw them with you, it’s beautiful. It is a magical place, and people sense it. They know when that happens. You remember you’re part of something bigger, that there’s something else going on, another story – and that’s what music does. This has always been the role of music to touch, to transport” And that is what he does with his latest album, Can’t Remember To Forget – To make sense of the things that could not be verbalized, to make emotion more tangible, to create that sense of connection, to tell a story that hints at so much more, and really what is it we want and need, But to connect? And I think some where in these songs you will feel that connection.
Can’t Remember to Forget is out through Rex Morgan Records Available through itunes and hardcopy CD’s artwork and lyrics from the Store at www.stevenjaymes.com
|
Black 17 click here to download tracks from iTunes.
Swedish Reviews
New Zealand born Steven Jaymes (he lives in Melbourne,Australia) goes directly to the roots on his new album "Black 17" - the whole album totally breathes blues,jazz and folkrock. His voice reminds even more of Eric Clapton on this album and the music is less based on piano and fender rhodes,most of these songs have been written on the guitar giving the songs a more bluesy touch. It's like joining Sting on a picnic with Van Morrison where Don Henley is showing up with the dessert,Steven Jaymes has enough heart and soul to spread love through his music over the pacific ocean. Who can stop him?,who wants to?,not me! 11 real nice tunes.
Kaj Roth Melodic May 06
"STRONGLY PAINTED IN BLUE"
"New Zealander Steven Jaymes is not just another singer/songwriter hungry to make a great first impression. His mature, but fresh songs are brimming with a soulful resonance that can only come with experience, coupled with a knack for describing life's constant complexities in an affirming way.
The songs on his latest effort, the live-in-studio album Black 17, are hook-laden and driven, yet laid back, strongly painted in blue, and they possess a real natural beauty, accentuated by Jaymes' wonderful husky voice.
These are songs for everyman, songs for our age, but with a timeless quality that puts Jaymes up there as one of the rare breed of singer and songwriter that are able to successfully combine harsh reality and romance, and still come off as a convincing artist. Don't miss out!"
Ola Karlsson Rootsy, Sweden
"BLUES THAT TEARS YOU SOUL APART"
Steven Jaymes at Caffrey's, McEwan's, Borås - January 31
"After a bit of a slow start, this evening turned out to be a fantastic experience. Steven Jaymes is a singer-songwriter from New Zealand now living in Australia. For the moment he's on a short tour of Scandinavia. Tomorrow he'll be in Norway, but yesterday he stopped by in Borås.
On his last album, "Hemingway's Cats", he is kind of jazzy, well produced, but a little bit too kind and soft. This is also the impression when he sits by his piano this evening. But after a while, you can hear that he has a lot of more blues in his veins, than the album shows. He's doing a great Ray Charles-cover, and his show really takes you on to a higher level.
But it's still something missing. The piano is a bit too high in volume, to really create that intimate atmosphere. Steven's whiskey-soaked voice fits very well in with the surroundings, and pretty soon that really spontaneous feel starts to show. He brings on his guitar and everything just sky-rockets.
It feels a bit like taking a step back to your own heritage. Everything falls in place when Steven takes the role of a true singer-songwriter. But soon the feel changes pace once again. He asks a guy from the audience to take on the guitar, while he steps back to his piano.
Then the roof really falls off!
This moment is quite astonishing. The blues is not just present, it sits down in the easy chair, sipping on the drinks, and stomps it's feet. The music demands attention of every atom present in the room.
"Poor, poor you, if you weren't there!"
Mindy Christiernin Borås Times, Sweden
Australian musician Steven Jaymes is back with an album where he tries to top his latest work (not an easy task!). This time he takes his band into the studio, sets up the gear, and does most of it live on the spot. The end result is soulful, a little bit jazzier, and BIG feelings compared to just verse and chorus. Sometimes it's just a little bit too jazzy and democratic - Let's face it ; Here's Steven the star - But all in all, this is an artist who could easily be as big as Jackson Browne and Marc Cohn, given the right perceptions. This time he even succeeds in doing Paul Simon's '50 Ways', and really makes it his own!"
Trots Allt Magazine, Jan 06
Australia/New Zealand- available online at Sanity
Australia/New Zealand- available online at MGM
Available at JB Hi Fi & selected HMV |
Hemingway's Cats click here to download tracks from iTunes.
This Australian singer/songwriter's latest album Hemingway's Cats with it's unique mix of blues and pop is a cross over classic.
New Zealand born Jaymes has developed his soul warming sound to a whole new level. Steven's acoustic rock folk style now blended with his unique blues and pop sensibilities and cemented with his piano and passionate voice create an album of exceptional depth.
The emotions of the journey's and the countries that the recording and writing of this album took Steven to will captivate and transport the listener. From the gritty dark Manhattan to the gentle soothing hands of Lead you home, From the moorish melody of title track Hemingway's Cats to the addictive Higher, Hemingway's Cats is an Album filled with stories within stories that like an old favorite coat becomes more loved with use.
Purchase
Retail: Album available at HMV, Borders, JB Hifi, Sanity, Myer,
ABC Shops and at all good independent music stores.
Digital: click here to download tracks from NINEMSN
On-line: Australia/New Zealand- available online at MGM
For USA and Europe purchases please click here for CD Baby
click here to download tracks from iTunes.
Reviews
“The title track was written after a trip from New York via Nashville to Papa's old house on the Florida Keys - and this solo album finds him maturing as a piano-based songwriter with a smoky, soulful voice and ear for an uplifting pop melody.Theres plenty of emotional muscle in the music and tunes like the stirring "Expectation". Someone really should pitch that one to Joe Cocker for his next album.” Noel Mengel - The Courier Mail
"Check out the outro to Emily for a start- and that's the nature of the singing piano player I suppose - the Ben Folds and The Joe Jacksons are few and far between - but there's a healthy leavening of the spirit of Leon Russell, Bruce Springsteen and Van Morrison in there too, which makes this album a truly sweet surprise" Michael Smith Drum Media - Sydney
“Steven Jaymes' Hemingway's Cats is an absolute outstanding album. Smooth, creamy, soulful, and luscious. The man exudes huge talent both in voice and song writing ability.” Carl Lindgren - Map Magazine
“Steven Jaymes' new album Hemingway's Cats is the most refreshing & original piece of music I have heard in ages its depth and quality make you feel that you have grown up listening to his music for decades. One listen just isn't enough.”
Scott Stewart - Program Director MCM Entertainment
“I have hundreds of new releases piled up on my desk that need my urgent attention and I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO THIS ALBUM!!! - Holy Shit I love it!” Cathy Lee - Director Of Music Programming DMX Music
“Steven Jaymes, simply the best and most sophisticated Adult Pop Jazz and Roots you will ever hear.”
Gavin Wall - Manchester Lane : Melbournes Premier Music Venue
|
The Travellers' click here to download tracks from iTunes.
“The Travellers” sees Steven showcase both the singer and the songwriter, with an acoustic or “unplugged” style collection of intelligent accessible new songs. With a rustic, honeyed voice that is part Bourbon Street, part Long Island New York, Jaymes is a singer songwriter in the classic tradition, a wordsmith whose narrative style and often intensely personal perspective captivate at first listening and quickly find a way to the hearts of even the most world weary.
Available direct through Rex Morgans Records
For latest news on Steven Jaymes Subscribe to Mailing List
|
