This skillful group blends a l960s folk sound with a touch of fantasy and intricate lyrics that wind their way around your mind long after the music is over. The Stairwell Years is a welcome combination of inspirational lyrics skillfully woven into songs that reach everyone.

One of the best cds by a relatively new band that I have heard this year, The Stairwell Years is a sort of Incredible String Band meets Belle and Sebastion meets the Corrs meets Cowboy Junkies meets...well, none of this is quite true yet all of it applies, as the Blue Lit Souls meld a wide range of styles--instrumental as well as vocal--with a stunning array of songs which mesmerize the listener who is open to something different, yet surprisingly comfortable. Like the Incredible String Band of 60s fame, they bring together unexpected instruments like didgeridoo, mandolin, Nigerian log drum and a handmade set of finely-tuned flowerpots, while their alt-folk sensibilities are as up-to-the-minute as Belle and Sebastian, as heard to great effect on two of my favorite tracks, "Elephant & Castle" and "Solomon Has Sung." The haunting imagery of the former captivates one with dreamy magic: "Grey skies over Elephant and Castle / and the wind feels like steel against my skin / and I'm wondering where in the world to begin" provides a haunting refrain, punctuated by such lines as "I feel like an alien dropped from the skies / into timeless continuum" and "Who am I lost in this dungeon of thought / with a prayer to move on here." Throughout, the vocal is a phantasm of mysterious presence. The magic is sustained in "Solomon Has Sung," with a wonderful rhythmic pace to the vocal which rains down the lyrics through the shimmering haze of the "world jazz" instrumental: "Ooh, the sweetness / the cinnamon and honey on your tongue / Ooo, completeness / lips of wine and like a vine we intertwine / where Solomon has sung / Solomon has sung" and "Precious love, I lie alone, awoken by a singing dream delicious / soaked was I with dew of night and / I could see the myrrh drip from your fingers" transport one to the fabled kingdom of ancient days. Yet some of the songs are very much a part of our modern world; consider "Katie Came Clean," about kicking the drug habit: "with scars on her wrist she wants to resist / and walk the other way", leading to "the light in my soul is filling that hole / stay near." I could go on about other songs on the album, but suffice it to say that this is enchanting, healing, inventive, wonderful, young and timeless music. Listen with your heart, and fill your soul.

The Blue Lit Souls don’t just make music they create an atmosphere. It’s an uplifting atmosphere of heart and spirit. I was privileged to be present in the envelope of sound and feeling that happed when this mostly live CD was recorded. Otherwise it would be hard to believe this wasn’t a multi-tracked elaborately crafted studio CD. This band can make any song sound good, but their songwriting is solid as well. Everyone in this band contributes to the joyful noise, but I’m going to single out a few. If you love close harmonies listen to how Kathy Swezy and Kris Spilker’s voices blend so beautifully. Jim Quinn’s percussion cannot be overemphasized in the creation of the atmosphere. I’m a sucker for the Rickenbacker guitar sound, and Lou Carlozo is a master of it. He plays a mean acoustic guitar as well. You also need to know that Mark Swezy can play a didgeridoo and a bass guitar at the same time! I think you will be please with this stunning debut album. It’s knocked the socks off of everyone I’ve played it for.

The Blue Lit Souls' The Stairwell Years is the kind of cd that will please all types of listeners. I’ve had the opportunity to see them several times in concert over the years and have taken friends of all backgrounds to hear them play. We all agree that this cd has that “special, feel-good sound” you just can’t put your finger on. You’ll know what I’m talking about the minute you pop it in. It’s one thing to hear it, but to get to see how the music is made is amazing. I don’t know the names of the instruments, but I’ve never seen anyone play the long wooden stick and the PVC pipes too! I’m so glad they finally got this cd out. They’ve made my Christmas shopping a lot easier this year.