CD Review
Stevie Renner & the Renegades
Raining In My Heart
(Rose Leaf Records, 2005 #RL001)
by Mike Sjulstad
Review date: May 2005
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Stevie Renner & The Renegades recently released their debut album titled Raining In My Heart on the Minneapolis label, v-records. The first thing that came into my mind was “Steve Renner’s first CD? How can that be, this guy has been tearing it up for years!” Well, even though that is true, he did take a 12-year hiatus from the music business, and this is truly his first production CD. The next thing that comes to mind of course is, “is it good?”
The opening track is more chanting than music, and Stevie sites collaboration with Little Joe Erler and Daryl Pelly, both members of the Red Lake Ojibway Tribe. From here, we are treated to a stunning version of Mel London’s Messing With The Kid. Track three is Freddie King’s Hide-a-way and together these two tracks are worth the price of the CD. Stevie’s tone, while a bit bright and edgy, really stands out and displays the chops of this veteran rocker. This is damn fine rockin’ blues and a great start to a debut recording.
Of course covers are covers and everyone wants to know more about originals; writing style, arrangements, tone and techniques are always more interesting than a covers. Rest assured, Stevie and the boys have some strong song writing and arrangements in store. Lovesick Blues is a smoky 9 minutes of some very notable arrangements and smooth guitar solos. Stevie’s vocals are exceptional and the composition leads you down the road of a lover’s betrayal and pain. Stevie borrows phrases and licks that remind me of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, but he does so with his own “voice” and style. I can’t help but wonder how great a live version of this song will be.
Next up is a finger style version of Green Sleaves that is beautifully played, but really doesn’t fit well the flow. “Stone Cold Groove” and “Mean Woman Blues” are both upbeat and lively, with promise to please any blues lovers. Stevie’s powerful vocals and phrasing are again right on the mark. The title track, Raining In My Heart is by far my favorite track, it’s warm guitar tones combine with some fine vocals and strong rhythms. The arrangements start out with a nice warm clean guitar tone, layered over with a brighter violin like leads, followed by a nice time change that lifts the song up to a climatic height. Kudos to the Renegades and guests for their contributions on bass, keys, and percussion – all are excellent and display some great talent.
Overall, this is a CD I would be proud of, certainly far above what one would tends to hear from a debut effort. The music is pure and pleasurable; the tracks are well mastered and balanced. The solos jump out front as do the vocals with the backing tracks distinct and distinguished. This CD rocks, well done Stevie Renner and the Renegades!
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