Stevie Salas - July 2007 The Essential Stevie Salas Vol 1 By Jamison Mahto
Stevie Salas, a Mescalero Apache born and raised in San Diego, he moved to Los Angeles where his musical journey begins in earnest. Life on the streets of LA, crashing on studio couches and constant playing guitar in search of a gig. In walks George Clinton and he needs someone to play chords on a song he's recording.
In not too long Stevie's resume expands to include the likes of Mick Jagger, Rod Stewart, George Clinton, of course, and Bootsie Collins. He fronted tours w/ Joe Satriani and Steve Vai among a list of many respected musicians both performing and session fellas. Despite this Stevie remains relatively little known in certain circles and solid international recognition is slow in coming.
With his career continuing to blossom he explores Native music and musicians for a time. Stevie does proud the tradition begun by people like Jesse Ed Davis (brilliant Native rocker who also toured with Rod Stewart/1975).
Stevie's developing style is showcased in a two CD set titled The Sun And The Earth – The Essential Stevie Salas/Vol. 1. Stevie's playing is clean, crisp and precise. Unlike a lot of guitar players he doesn't abuse the use of effects and the recording quality is excellent.
Stevie has earned the respect of his peers by continuing to move forward and improve his playing and his sound.
There is a wonderful production quality here. The cover art is good and the insert contains autobiographical material in Stevie's words and his thoughts on each track, a short bio and several photos reflective of his development.
The song sequence is ideal and these CD's flow beautifully together.
On Disc 1 the first track starts with Tell Your Story Walkin' a good hard dark punk funk growler, the anthem of the genre' and his top 10 hit.
Right away he follows with the second track Pumpin' It Up (Featuring Koshi Inaba, Rob Lamouth & Bernard Fowler) and he establishes the dark punk funk, his signature style.
Two Bullets & A Gun (Featuring Bootsy Collins) Who knew Bootsy had it in him? This song has a really hard, beautiful guitar hook. An interesting perspective on "Love"! for a sentiment and the guitar solo here is something special.
The song Hots On For Nowhere (Nicklebag-Featuring Bernard Fowler & Ronnie Wood) is tight and precise. Beautiful guitar work at all levels. Stevie continues to pay respects to the African American rock guitar players. Nice slide work. Very exciting to hear this done this well.
On the second CD in Soul Ecstasy (Featuring Jerry Cantrell) there is a connection with the disco genre but the things he does with the form are tasteful and mature. It's a nice sound.
The CD starts to get to be real fun when he moves through a very soulful Jimi Hendrix blues inspired vamp with the flanger on and segues very nicely into the Stevie Wonder hit, I Was Made To Love Her (Featuring Glenn Hughes). Outrageous and beautiful. Very nicely done. From there he slides into a very cool low slow soulful vocal riff. This is what I'm talking about. There is no way to be Stevie Wonder, but done with respect, maturity and grace this song becomes a Stevie Salas song. If you can dig that. He's even got the soul sista' chorus in there. This is really fun. It's inspired. Brilliant rhythm section. Brilliant guitar work on all levels. It's really excellent vocally as well.
Also on Disc 2 we are treated to three songs that are certainly reflective of Mr. Salas's journey down the red road.
Indian Chief has a raw deep bottom. This is some 3.2 joint deep in Indian country and the gig is drums and guitar with a microphone that's plugged into the guitar amp. Two couples grope around on the saw-dusty dance floor. Could be a crossover Indian country hit or should at least be getting some native radio airplay.
Trail Of Tears,an instrumental, is a sad beautiful melody that evokes the grief of the experience.
Indian Friends is another top 10 indian country hit. I dig this song the most of 'em all. Its got great soul. Is this spoken word or this just might cross over into some hip-hop thing goin' down here. Talkin' his blues. But it rocks. He ends with the message, "I walk through the valley of death with a smile, 'cuz all I see are my indian friends and she's waitin' for me there, yeah, she's waitin' for me there." Better than clever. Beautiful. Done with enough lightness to convey a sympathy with this sentiment. We can relate. This song has greatness written all over it.
I can't wait for his national tour. When he comes to town I think I might have to drink me a couple a shots a jack, chased with an ice cold beer, sit down in the front row, rock my soul free 'til my ears bleed.
Reporter Jamison Mahto Indigenous Internet Chamber of Commerce
