newman under southern skies

Released: 26 September 2011 Label: AOR Heaven

Steve Newman may not be the first name to roll off the lips when asked to name a rock star, but to dedicated fans of AOR and melodic rock, he is a household name. In addition to his own prolific output, Mr Newman has written and produced for just about anyone who’s ever released a worthwhile melodic rock record.

Incredibly, for someone with his fingers in myriad musical pies, Newman has always ensured the standard of his work to be consistently high. He simply doesn’t make bad albums and these eleven tracks indicate that isn’t about to change.

Bright, breezy and – by AOR standards – ballsy, this album drips with class and due to their classic rock structure, every song seems instantly familiar. The song craft is flawless and the musicianship faultless, but what makes Newman a little bit special is the obvious love he has for what he does.

AOR will never be the most hip of genres, but when done as well as this, it has much to offer. The outstanding title track expertly combines swagger and subtlety, allowing Newman to deliver a commanding vocal packed with a passion that runs throughout the album; not least on Fire With Fire which captures the kind of late night blues rock vibe Whitesnake used to be so skilled at pre 1987.

Cynics will say we’ve heard it all before and yes, we have. But that doesn’t mean we don’t want to hear it again. At a time when a vibrant AOR scene is quietly re-establishing itself as a potent commercial force, this is a fine example of what modern melodic rock has to offer and proof that it isn’t just music of a bygone era.

by Marcus Jervis