Stevie & the Saints had a second wind in 1991. After releasing the critically acclaimed album, "Metalblue" (what else can you get besides "critically acclaimed" on an indi release?),they folded after mounting a financially disastrous tour to the mid-west. LA is not the place to start touring from. The motor home died every 5 minutes. They came home broke, in debt and frustrated. Three years later producer Ken Roberts called Stevie and suggested giving it another go. Stevie had no band, so a new group of "Saints" was enlisted. They included the monstrous drummer Tim Pope (formerly Ray Charles and Tony Orlando), Ken Roberts on rhythm guitar, Ralph Sappington on Keyboards and Tony Wilson on Bass. Suzie Cappetta and Kathy Honaker provide backing vocals. And pastor Bob Beeman of Sanctuary guest appeared on piano on a couple of tracks. Just as the album was released Stevie suffered some tragic personal incidents and went home to Alaska to care for his family. This album never really saw the light of day. This is the first time it has been released since being recorded over a decade ago.
Stevie was always an enigma. He tells the story of never playing an instrument until praying at an altar and seeing a vision of himself on a stage playing guitar. He and the Saints (John Tinker on drums and Kenny Kuehn on Bass guitar) appeared at a time when rock music was beginning to make a break thru in the Christian community although many church leaders still accused those involved with rock as "worldly." And on the other hand, there would be no massive acceptance for a band that wasn't interested the "Sex, Drugs" part of "Sex. Drugs and Rock 'n Roll." One of his songs captured his dilemma perfectly, "You're too saintly for the sinners, and the saints can't stand your face." However whenever they played to a secular audience, Stevie would have the entire audience in the palm of his hand the moment he wielded his red stratocaster and blistered a staccato-machine gun like volley of a combination of Blues
And Van Halen like guitar pyrotechnics. He was in the league of guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Van Halen, but would never have the opportunity to rise to the level he deserved.
Reviews
The original songs by Steve Olson are stunning. The images carved on the mind stay there- "Had a low down case of them shoot-your-dog-in-the-head blues, and the gritty, gravel tinged voice of Stevie sharply propels the songs into the psyche. -The Cutting Edge
There are signs of life from the Christian rock world. What we get here is a "No-frills, head-crunching array of religious themed rock. And it comes with lots of hard-as-brick guitar and bluesy, screaming vocals. And who cares if the band cops a ZZ Top lick here and there? Breathing life into the lazy world of Christian Rock is a higher cause.
-The Daily Breeze
Stevie & The Saints is ZZ Top "born-again"! - Kerrang
This is tough, street-smart music. Their "in-the-world-but-not-of-it" approach is fresh and invigorating. - CCM
A hot, blistering taste of mid-western Rock 'n Roll. If you want to impress some bikers with Christian music, use this tape. Over all I'd say this is a must for its originality and performance. - Heaven's Metal
Track List:
1. Power In The Blood
2. Psalm 3
3. Pass Me Not
4. Rock And A Hard Place
5. No Blooz Blooz
6. Eye On The Prize
7. Moment Of Pleasure
8. Ball & Chain
9. Soldier Of Fortune
10. Wayfaring Stranger
Suggested CDs:
Stevie was always an enigma. He tells the story of never playing an instrument until praying at an altar and seeing a vision of himself on a stage playing guitar. He and the Saints (John Tinker on drums and Kenny Kuehn on Bass guitar) appeared at a time when rock music was beginning to make a break thru in the Christian community although many church leaders still accused those involved with rock as "worldly." And on the other hand, there would be no massive acceptance for a band that wasn't interested the "Sex, Drugs" part of "Sex. Drugs and Rock 'n Roll." One of his songs captured his dilemma perfectly, "You're too saintly for the sinners, and the saints can't stand your face." However whenever they played to a secular audience, Stevie would have the entire audience in the palm of his hand the moment he wielded his red stratocaster and blistered a staccato-machine gun like volley of a combination of Blues
And Van Halen like guitar pyrotechnics. He was in the league of guitarists like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Van Halen, but would never have the opportunity to rise to the level he deserved.
Reviews
The original songs by Steve Olson are stunning. The images carved on the mind stay there- "Had a low down case of them shoot-your-dog-in-the-head blues, and the gritty, gravel tinged voice of Stevie sharply propels the songs into the psyche. -The Cutting Edge
There are signs of life from the Christian rock world. What we get here is a "No-frills, head-crunching array of religious themed rock. And it comes with lots of hard-as-brick guitar and bluesy, screaming vocals. And who cares if the band cops a ZZ Top lick here and there? Breathing life into the lazy world of Christian Rock is a higher cause.
-The Daily Breeze
Stevie & The Saints is ZZ Top "born-again"! - Kerrang
This is tough, street-smart music. Their "in-the-world-but-not-of-it" approach is fresh and invigorating. - CCM
A hot, blistering taste of mid-western Rock 'n Roll. If you want to impress some bikers with Christian music, use this tape. Over all I'd say this is a must for its originality and performance. - Heaven's Metal
Track List:
1. Power In The Blood
2. Psalm 3
3. Pass Me Not
4. Rock And A Hard Place
5. No Blooz Blooz
6. Eye On The Prize
7. Moment Of Pleasure
8. Ball & Chain
9. Soldier Of Fortune
10. Wayfaring Stranger
Suggested CDs:
- Jimmy ''Preacher'' Ellis
- Kim Olson
- Change To The East
- Face Of Five
- ROCK: Hard Rock
- BLUES: Texas Style
- CHRISTIAN