Perfect Strangers

#		Title	Length
1		Daniel	6:57	Play
2		This Can't Be My World	5:03	Play
3		Faces on the Train	4:09	Play
4		Precious Vessels	4:15	Play
5		Postcards from Diane	3:36	Play
6		If Only...	4:57	Play
7		Perfect Strangers	5:26	Play
8		But for the Likes of Linda Barry	5:20	Play
			39:43

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Description

He's been called "a great jazz player with an amazing pop sensibility", and with nearly thirty years' experience performing virtually every style of Western music, this Oregon native is defining his own creative niche. Steve commands a vast musical range, allowing him to move seamlessly from the jazz realm to rock-and-roll; from heart wrenching, ambient textured ballads, through bluegrass inspired song to surprisingly catchy pop.

Steve began studying piano at the age of six (he started playing at age three!) and later earned a Master's Degree in classical piano performance from the University of Northern Colorado. His stage experience includes innumerable jazz gigs, original rock bands, R&B, funk, klezmer, reggae, metal and country groups, choirs and orchestras, as well as work in theater and dance, even to the point of touring for two years with the modern-ballet company, Oregon Dance Theater.

Steve has studied with pianists Hal Galper (Phil Woods) and ECM pioneer, Art Lande, and has performed with such jazz luminaries as Clark Terry, Sonny Stitt, Bud Shank, and John Faddis; and with other artists as diverse as Guitar Shorty, Annie Marie Moss, the Platters and Molly Brown. He's also shared the stage with, among others, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Junior Brown, Tiny Tim, and Terrence Blanchard. He also owns and operates his own recording studio, Dirkland, producing local artists and voice talent in addition to his own compositions.

Perfect Strangers is his first full-length solo album.


On this latest release, Perfect Strangers, Steve teams up with two modern pop and jazz virtuosos: drummer Mark Raynes and bassist Eric Thorin. Drawing from their shared experience in numerous musical settings, together they weave an evocative texture of rich ballads and refreshing pop compositions.

Speaking frankly of his newest project, Steve says, "I feel as if I'm finally writing from my heart. For years I composed mainly in the 'angry young man' arena; but I'm just not that angry anymore. Sure, there are still lots of f****d up things to challenge, and timeless causes to champion, but it can be a way of hiding too. The really icky stuff - the politics, the horrors of capitalism - they're just so obvious. There seems to be another way to incorporate activism in my music, and I'm finding that it's got a lot to do with not being afraid to write about 'boy-meets-boy', or about my own adolescent fears. I've joked on stage that it gets old listening to every other singer-songwriter moan about the 'risk of romance' or the 'dangers of falling in love'. Tell it to Matt Shepard. The big danger of falling in love for me was worrying about getting my ass kicked."

The eight songs on Perfect Strangers - four with the trio, four solo piano & voice - share a common theme of "other-ness". From the haunting and heartbreaking "Daniel", to the lighter, whimsical "Postcards from Diane", all of the songs have their genesis in real events; but Steve's literate and intelligent lyrics transform them from mere reminiscences into moving personal journals. This is a beautiful work of tender melancholia, yet, ironically, gently inspiring.

- Insights to the Songs -

CD - Perfect Strangers, Steve Snelling

"Daniel" - I used to work in a locked facility with these really violent, developmentally disabled teens. It amazed me that, no matter how harsh a hand some people have been dealt, regardless of how fucked-up their scene appears, the whole gamut of human experience can still shine through: humor, irony, joy, sadness...all of it. But we're kidding ourselves if we think we know what goes on behind the smile - or the tears. A truly humbling experience.

"This Can't Be My World" - This is from what I call "the before time", when I was really wallowing in it. I laugh now, but there were decades of utter darkness. I'm still thankful for that cop in the snow bank. (Wasn't too happy about the straight jacket though.)

"Faces on the Train" - We live in a circus. You can't really know what goes on in people's lives, but you can still learn a lot in the course of a twenty-minute train ride.

"Precious Vessels" - Kids are these little information sponges. They take in everything, including the garbage. I consider it a major failing of our culture that we seem to either ignore or capitalize on it, but never really honor their vulnerability. Really pisses me off.

"Postcards from Diane" - No news is good news, which dovetails nicely with the fact that most 'news' is bad news. Every once in a while I just have to take a break from the media and appreciate the grooviness of small town living - D. always helps me keep it real on the road.

"If Only..." - Just because someone stares doesn't make them a threat. And fate is fate - the only choice we have is whether we revel or cower before it gets here; so lighten up and let some love in, will ya'?

"Perfect Strangers" - Growing up, the real pain of being in love was not being able to tell anybody - not even my lover.

"But for the Likes of Linda Barry" - Ernie Pook's Comeek, like Joni's sweet laments, came along at just the right time to lift my heart. God bless Marliss and Maybonne.