Album Notes

"...one of the most influential bassists in the world"
- Bass Guitar Magazine.

"Steve Lawson is a brilliant musician.
I've known about him and listened to him for
many years. He may not be one of the most
famous bassists but he is definitely one of the
most talented." - Victor Wooten

Steve Lawson - Behind Every Word

Solo bassist Steve Lawson is a musician on a mission. His debut album was called ...And Nothing But The Bass, and the challenge to take solo bass to new audiences has been his remit ever since.

It's a mission that has led to headline shows across Europe and The US, major theatre tours in the UK opening for Level 42 and the 21st Century Schizoid Band, 5 acclaimed albums, sold out shows at the Edinburgh Festival, reams of international press, radio play, and praise from critics, fans and fellow musicians alike.

"The richness of this music makes for a
rewarding listening experience on all levels
and I think Steve's approach represents a
real step forward for the art of solo bass." - Michael Manring

With the June 06 release of Behind Every Word on Pillow Mountain Records - his fourth solo album, and sixth album overall - Lawson is set to consolidate his position as the UK's leading solo bass guitarist, and take his unique and beautiful music to an ever-growing audience.

Once again Steve has chosen to record the entire album live in the studio, using live looping technology to sample and layer his huge palette of bass sounds into 11 exquisitely beautiful slices of aural heaven.

"Lawson's writing and his phenomenal command
of the possibilities of looping creates a compelling
and surprising variety of sounds one would never
imagine the bass capable of producing." - JazzWise

There's a freshness to the music on the new album, partly inspired by his creative involvement in the developement of a brand new looping device - the Looperlative. Says Steve, "Grace And Gratitude, my last album, felt like a pretty complete statement of what I was about as a solo musician up to that time. I was in no hurry to follow it up, hence the two year gap. It wasn't until I was invited to contribute to the design of the Looperlative, and had access to all the new arrangement possibilities that it offers that I felt it was time to record again. When the record light went on, the ideas started arriving.

Indeed, the album's opening cut, Blue Planet, was the first thing recorded in the sessions, and floats along like a low-frequency companion to Ry Cooder's Paris Texas soundtrack.

The wide open Americana influence is there again on the tribute to the late M. Scott Peck, simply titled Scott Peck, which features a cameo appearance by pedal steel guitar legend, BJ Cole. Steve's collaboration with BJ started three or four years ago, as the pair began getting together for regular recording sessions, experimenting with the possibilities that looping the two instruments together presented.

The collaboration with Cole was one of the prime inspirations for Lawson's main focus between the last two albums, The Recycle Collective. A monthly gig featuring a revolving cast of regulars and guests, The Recycle Collective is gaining a reputation as one of London's most consistently inspiring and beautiful music nights. Alongside Lawson and Cole, the night has featured Cleveland Watkiss, Orphy Robinson, Theo Travis, Leo Abrahams and an eclectic host of other musicians eager to soak up some improv inspiration.

With the ongoing success of the Recycle Collective, and the release of the new CD, 2006 looks to be another year of forward motion for Steve Lawson's musical life. As he says himself, "There's never been any master plan beyond looking to make beautiful music and to play it for an appreciative audience. Every year the audience grows and the music keeps evolving, and I can't ask for any more than that."

On hearing Behind Every Word, we're sure you'll agree.

Quotes

"...Steve's complex array of sound and rare, intimate touch are rapidly turning him into one of the most influential bassists in the world." - Bass Guitar Magazine (uk)

"Lawson's writing and his phenomenal command of the possibilities of looping creates a compelling and surprising variety of sounds one would never imagine the bass capable of producing." - JazzWise magazine (uk)

"When I first heard Steve Lawson it made me go home and practice my bass again, it was inspiring to hear his use of bass loops with great melodies. He doesn't play like a bass player, he plays like a musician. I am going to rip off every idea he has ever had!!" - Matt Bissonette (bassist to the stars)

"one of today's most inventive and original sounding voices on the electric bass. He is a pioneering innovator in the art of looping." - cliff engel, www.bassically.net

"This is subtle music that demands your undivided attention." - www.aural-innovations.com

"I highly recommend [grace and gratitude]. As Steve's playing and concept grow he makes ever more gorgeous and engaging music that really demonstrates the expressive depth of the bass. The richness of this music makes for a rewarding listening experience on all levels and I think Steve's approach represents a real step forward for the art of solo bass." Michael Manring (solo artist)