Eric "Sarge" Smith AKA Eric "Smidi" Smith
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Still Great after all of these years!!
Hello David Steele! Surprise!!!! It's Me "Eric "Sarge" Smith now Eric "Smidi" Smith your former Bass Guitarist for our band "Bon Ton" from RAF Wethersfield UK back in 1987!!! Anyway, I'm luv'in your new CD "Underneath The Ice" Your Great musical talent is still there after all these years! Many Congrats!!! I am still into the music business as well! I'm located in Las Vegas and retired from the US Air Force since 2001. Hit me up! I would luv to chat with you again Mate! Cheers! SMIDI
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Gary Wien, Upstage Magazine
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Distinctive voice, wonderful orchestrations!
If you’re looking for something a little different than the usual stuff being played on the radio, check out David Steele’s UNDERNEATH THE ICE on City Canyon Records.
Steele, an English songwriter, has come up with a CD reminiscient of classic bands from the 80s like U2, The Alarm and even The Police. In fact, much of the disc reminds me of the more experimental songs that U2 used to put out as B-sides to their singles.
There’s a nice blend of straight up rock tracks and soft ballads all held together with Steele’s distinctive voice. Steele uses wonderful orchestration to create moods during his slower songs and even gets a bit funky during some of the upbeat tracks. Unlike many eighties-influenced artists, Steele uses synthesizers but doesn’t let technology overshadow his guitar and piano performances.
My favorite tracks off the disc include Disappear, Bethleham, Underneath The Ice, and Rise Up.
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Record Buyer (UK)
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Excellent debut that grows in power with repeated plays!
These twelve songs are well crafted and unfussy arrangements and production help them breathe. The opening "Wings To Fly" powered by guitar, muscular rhythm and organ drone..."Come to Dance? and Hypnotised"...quickly work their way under your skin. All in all UNDERNEATH THE ICE is an excellent debut that grows in power with repeated plays.
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Westminster Times (UK)
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Accomplished debut album!
"Accomplished" is the word to describe the debut album from English singer-songwriter David Steele...which can quickly switch from sombre Jeff Buckley or Starsailor acoustic ballads ("Wings to Fly) to funky pop rock (Disappear").
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The Village Idiot, Kirsti Singer
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Mystery and evocative enchantment
This U.K. rocker achieves in UNDERNEATH THE ICE delicate, adult-contemporary, pop-rock sounds with a similarity to Sting's world-inspired, soulful, spiritual sounds....One of the most unique elements about David is that he comes from the village of Brill, the same locale that inspired the fantasy-laden box office smash "Lord of the Rings". David seems to capture the same mystery and evocative enchantment in his songwriting.
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Matt Greenwald, Urban Tulsa Weekly
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Majestic beauty!
Songs like "Rise Up" and "Words and Rhythm" reveal David's flair for subdued pieces that gradually build into big, bold anthems, with lyrical ideas that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the raw joy of existence. All of this music taken together paints a clear image of Steele's musical persona: a singer/songwriter of the glaciers, if you will, big and burly in the name of majestic beauty. Citing Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as one of his key influences, the English-born Steele is steering his rock’n’roll roots toward a more mythical destination...
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Matt Greenwald, Urban Tulsa Weekly
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Majestic beauty!
Songs like "Rise Up" and "Words and Rhythm" reveal David's flair for subdued pieces that gradually build into big, bold anthems, with lyrical ideas that celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and the raw joy of existence. All of this music taken together paints a clear image of Steele's musical persona: a singer/songwriter of the glaciers, if you will, big and burly in the name of majestic beauty. Citing Tolkien's Lord of the Rings as one of his key influences, the English-born Steele is steering his rock’n’roll roots toward a more mythical destination...
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Ricky Flake, Biloxi Sun Herald
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Sonic Delights!
David Steele wrote all the songs in UNDERNEATH THE ICE, and some remind us of Paul McCartney's Wings-era work (though generally darker and deeper). The vocals contain none of the whiny mall-punk or overdone melismatics that pass for modern R&B.
Highlights for us were the Beatles-ish orchestrations on the title song and others, the fine keyboard work by Jack Pescod and the Average White Band-sounding "Rise Up."
Echoes of "The Unforgettable Fire" can be found in "Words and Rhythm," and there are other sonic delights to be found on this album....If you enjoy good singing, good playing and the absence of irritating vocal mannerisms, you'll enjoy David Steele's "Underneath The Ice."
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J-Sin, Smother.net
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Great rockers, extraordinary vocal talent
"On this impressive release on indie label City Canyons Records, you'll hear Springsteen-like synth/guitar combos, swingy upbeat percussion, and always-great rockers led by this extraordinary vocal talent, David Steele."
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Bands Back Stage
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Enchanting and upbeat CD
City Canyons Record's "Underneath the Ice" is an enchanting and upbeat CD, which is sure to warm your heart and make you feel the music as it plays. David Steele has a remarkable voice and style. His music is charming and sincere, allowing the listener to drift into the mood of the music. Mr. Steele has such a moving voice, he is sure to reach the listener on many emotional levels. Any musical message this talented rocker conveys, will be heart felt and personal. "Underneath the Ice" is a CD for all occasions, with it's intelligent lyrics that all of us can identify with in our own lives. David Steele's superb guitar work is also featured on this CD, making this enchanting masterpiece, even more the treasured possession.
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