Review by Andy Houghton for MPM
Best known for his classic rock musicals Vampires Rock and Anything For Love, featuring the music of Meat Loaf and Jim Steinman, Steve Steinman’s first album of original music, ‘Take A Leap Of Faith’, is set for release August 2nd, 2021.
Steve has come a long way since his appearance as Meat Loaf on ITV’s Stars In Their Eyes back in 1993. For the past 21 years he has toured the globe in his hit show, The Meat Loaf Story. This has led to him playing in some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Sun City South Africa and the London Pallidum.
The hiatus in theatrical productions during the pandemic gave Steve an opportunity to put together his first album of original music. Opening with title track, ‘Take A Leap Of Faith’, from the first few bars you know you’re in for one hell of a ride.
This is classic high-octane hard rock with soaring riffs and catchy hooks, and the track proves to be an early standout. Steve’s powerful vocals are more than a match for the instrumentals and grab your attention from the get-go; he knows how to tell a story through the lyrics, and tell it well.
‘Going To Hell’ takes the tempo down a notch, in a track that opens with a honky-tonk piano that invites comparison with ‘Paradise by the Dashboard Light’. ‘I Don’t Know About Love’ is even more nuanced, the seven-minute length allowing considerable scope for Steve and his band to display their skills.
Opening with a delicate saxophone solo by John Wolfenden, the track gives Steve an opportunity to showcase his vocal range while he weaves a story of poignancy and redemption.
Survive’ sees hard rock return to the fore, with an anthemic chorus and some nice work on piano by Greg Morton. ‘Fight’ delivers another album standout – potent and punchy, there’s an awesome melodic shift mid-track, where we briefly get to catch our breath before the track rapidly regains its momentum with a stellar guitar solo, delivered by James Marsh. I have no doubt that this track will lift the roof when performed live.
‘Never Leave A Lover’, the shortest track on the album, initially lulls you into a sense of false security with its subdued start. However the subtle opening piano soon makes way for yet more stunning riffs, that intensify further as the track approaches its conclusion.
‘Northern Star’ closes the album in style with a duet between Steve and Emily Clark, backed by some more excellent work on saxophone by John Wolfenden. Clark’s voice is a perfect match for Steinman’s as they weave this delicate ballad together.
If you’re a fan of the work of the late, great Jim Steinman, then you’ll love Steve Steinman’s ‘Take A Leap Of Faith’. It brings to mind the classic sound of Meat Loaf at his very best, and with a voice to match. It’s an absolute belter of an album. Highly recommended.
Tracklisting:
- Take A Leap Of Faith
- Going To Hell
- I Don’t Know About Love
- Survive
- Fight
- Never Leave A Lover
- Northern Star
‘Take A Leap Of Faith’ is released on August 2nd, 2021.
An album launch event will be held at Whittles At Tokyo in Oldham on the same date: tickets available from:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/steve-steinman-take-a-leap-of-faith-album-launch-tickets-161213950265
Website: https://stevesteinmanproductions.com/steve-steinman/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveSteinmanProductions
Twitter: https://twitter.com/stevesteinman
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevesteinmanproductions/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkmFSGyC0UNO1vjMzGkO-8g
