author: Keith S. Clements — Kentuckiana Blues Society
ALBUM REVIEW:
Cole Prior Steven's blues doesn't knock you out with a powerful punch, but subtly sinks in with repeated listening. These original songs are filled with lots of traditional blues images like the devil, walking shoes and going to the river. His lyrics tell life stories that are both sad and glad, but all have some truth about relationships and fears. In the song F.E.A.R. Cole's definition of that nemesis is: False Evidence Appearing Real.
Cole takes you from the Mississippi Delta with the rollin' and tumblin' shuffle of Went Down to the River and then over to the Piedmont region with It Ain't My Fault. He does this playing a variety of guitar techniques, mixing his slippery slide with light finger picking. Cole is a keen observer of the realities of life, sharing his 'tell-it-like-it-is' attitude in Put Your Pistol Down, where he believes his gal has got the menopausal blues.
On Meet Me Down At Son's House his guitar is just a looping rhythmic background and his happy go lucky words are front and center like this partial verse example … gettin' high when the sun goes down … Then Cole revs up his guitar and voice like Omar Dykes on The Gypsy House telling of his encounter with a fortune teller. His repetitive beat, slide and voice synchronize nicely together on Rose Colored Glasses.
The final cut Gimme Back My Steering Wheel — is my favorite. It's like dropping the arm of a turntable down on an old '78 record from the '30s listening to someone trying to find a way out of a bad relationship.
Keith S. Clements — Kentuckiana Blues Society
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author: Auburn Journal:
Cole has an uncanny knack for that old delta groove… makes you feel as if you’re right down there in Mississippi!
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author: Blues Access:
very infectious music! His shows are entertaining… a real crowd pleaser. Cole makes the blues fun all over again!
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author: Whole Wheat Radio
I hear a lot of blues music here at Whole Wheat Radio. Whenever a Cole Prior Stevens song comes on I stop and listen. Really listen. I can't help it. His musical style and playing technique is unique, captivating and sincere. He is one of the bedrock blues musicians in our library and that is a very good thing!
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