Downeast Reviews

Review — Steve Tannen, Big Senorita
May 16 — 2001

Overall Score: ! ! ! ! !
(Five exclamation points out of Five)
Excellent: ! ! ! ! ! Good: ! ! ! !
Average:! ! ! Poor:! ! Nix: !

Track 1- Shelter Hotel
The tight groove from the rhythm section, Craig Benelli on drums and Mike Vesceglia on bass, kicks off the tune with finesse. When Steve Tannen's melodic vocals enter the mix the song is elevated to another level. When Sam Shaber adds some harmony vocals the listener is left in awe of the sweet melodic sound. Craig Benelli's accentuating guitar work blended meticulously with Keith Cotton's keyboard work lend vibrant color to the piece. This Pop gem has the infectious quality of an "Eagles" monster hit from the 70's, with an original modern charisma. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 2- San Francisco
Steve Tannen has a voice that one will never tire of listening to, with a melodic range which never wavers and a smoothness which has a calming effect on the listener. On this tune, which has a Folk-Rock feel with a light Alternative edge, Jon Gordon's mandolin accents compliment the melody. Chris Benelli's amazing drum skills maintain the strong fast paced groove which is the backbone of the piece. Craig Benelli's guitar accents add to the contagious nature of this aural masterpiece. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 3- Sing Me to Sleep
As well as singing sweet as a great crooner, Steve Tannen writes some infectious lyrics to go along with the vocals. A fine example is the opening line from this tune, "well I hung around like cigarette smoke on your jacket". That is creative writing in the style of someone who composes with a fine point pen, pure genius. Now if one could only write the music to complete this aural package, well it's all here in one contagious Rock package. Balanced perfectly between intense electric guitar, keyboard, acoustic guitar and angelic harmony vocals, the mix screams "Hit song" for three minutes and twenty six seconds. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 4- Brother Uptown
This tune features a softer more gentle side in Steve Tannen's repetoire. Still very much rooted in a Rock format, but giving off empathetic vibes through an emotional vocal presence, this tune serves well in displaying another dimension in the artistic genius of the artist. The soft brush work on the drums and haunting guitar accentuations, building with intensity to each chorus, creates the perfect background for the intense lyrics. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 5- Love in Vain
The electric lead guitar riffs on this tune, have magnetic phrases which come from the Joe Walsh school of infectious Rock licks. The formidable bass guitar and drums which make up the rhythm section, lift this contagious Rock number to a higher plateau with an expert presentation. Steve Tannen's power-filled vocals add to the stimulating effect of the uptempo dance groove. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 6- Can't Say for Sure
This tune starts off at a slow pace, but it picks up at the first chorus. The acoustic guitar maintains a Rock solid base for the melodic vocals in this Folk-Rock number. Chris Benelli's drumming is super tight providing just the right accents, never overworking the pace. With an infectious melody this tune is filled with magnetic charm. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 7- Don't Go Away
This tune is pure Rock & Roll with a Neil Young edge that gets one's foot tapping. Sam Shaber lends vocals to the meticulous harmony vocals, which one craves. The electric lead guitar solo from Jon Gordon sizzles with smoking licks and is certainly an attractive and charismatic element in the composition. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 8- Looking for Water (in Joshua Tree)
This tune is the only tune on the album which was not written by Steve Tannen. The rhythm guitar work has echoes of early ZZ Top in an acoustic mode. What a different sound this track has, having been recorded at a live show one can appreciate how much heart and soul Steve Tannen puts into his live performances. Sam Shaber's complimentary harmony vocals enhance the performance so much that one becomes convinced that these two voices were created for each other. On the down side the tune is only a bit over two minutes, but the content makes up for being cut short. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 9- Nobody Listens
The emotion-filled vocal style which Steve Tannen has contains echoes of Steve Earle's "Copperhead Road". Greg Tannen lends his sweet harmonica chops, as well as his backing vocals, to help color this vibrant tune. The acoustic guitar work maintains a constant force and an accentuating balance in the mix. Chris Benelli's masterful drumming adds key fills in the pockets lending to the compelling exhibition. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Track 10- Love Come Knockin'
This tune features more of an elctronic vibe thanks to Steve French's synths and drum programming with some forceful bass presence. Though this tune has more of an electronic vibe the acoustic guitar is still a powerful element and the overall groove is really quite mellow. This serves to give the listener a mild dose of variety, which never hurts. ( ! ! ! ! ! )

Alan's overall impression:
This album, big senorita, is the closest thing to the perfect Rock album one can hope to attain. The vocals are ace, both lead and harmony vocals are melodic, emotion filled charismatic presentations throughout the album. The instrumental accompaniment expertly compliments the vocals, and as a rule add vibrant color and depth to each piece. All compositions are fresh new pieces which can hardly be compared to any other piece, because quite honestly, all the pieces qualify as Hits in their own right.

Until next time keep your ears to the tunes, your eyes on the road and keep in touch with us.