MOG

Back in the early 80's, all my friends and I were totally into Steve Forbert. It was always difficult to put finger on precisely what made him so great: kind of a rocked out folkie from Mississippi, but he was really from everywhere and his songs projected a universality that was really engaging and easy to connect with. We knew all the songs word for word, and his lyrics were always clever, "Life is strange, but compared to what?" Stevie's arrangements and rhythms were unique and perfect for the time. I know he had a couple of singles that got airplay, the last of which may have been something like "Every Time You Walk Into The Room" was the last one I remember. Anyway, as vinyl gave way to CD, I lost touch with Steve Forbert but I always noticed he was out there recording and touring. This past weekend I was at Amoeba and picked up a couple of CDs, "Strange Names and New Sensations" and "Rocking Horse Head." The songs on "Strange Places" are hitting me all over again. I'm from New Jersey, and grew up in Denville which is, right next to Rockaway, down the road from Whippany and Parsippany, all featured in "Strange Names (Northern New Jersey's Got Em). And when Stevie sings about "Middle Age" and the changes in attitude, perspective and reality that come with it, he's right on the mark. "Baghdad Dream" encapsulates the mess in Iraq with appropriate sarcasm and disdain. And there's a really sweet reprise of "Romeo's Tune" that reflects the time and mileage that have passed since the 80's, but it's just as real as ever. "Simply Spaulding Grey" takes some shots at mass media and pop culture, but if you don't listen TOO carefully, it's just a sweet, sweet song! It feels great to be reconnected with one of my favorite artists ever, and one can't help but wonder why Steve Forbert never made it really big. But at the same time, I think that he's been able to continue to make music on his own terms for the past 30 years. Check out "What It Is, Is A Dream" sometime, and it just might bring tears to your eyes. Glad I found you again, Stevie. Thanks for the memories, and thanks for all the exciting new material that still works for me and others like me.