Album Notes

The influences of Steven Swift are interwoven throughout his music - the rockin’ blues he was initially inspired by and soaked up as a youngster, the honest, good natured delivery of the most successful solo artists such as Jack Johnson and Ben Harper, the jam bands that rock in a loose free-form style and the fine tuned finger-picking talents of Leo Kottke, John Fahey or Kelly Joe Phelps. Swift continues to devour the recordings of his musical heroes which inspire him to create music that is unique and personal - music that feels familiar but sounds like nothing heard before.

Several years as front man in his own band or serving as rhythm section or vocalist in many others has given Swift the expertise and know-how to produce what each individual song needs to stand on it’s own. The variety and style of Steven’s songs come from his keen observation and natural sense of rhythm and balance. Much is here; love, sorrow, anger, pain, regret and upbeat optimism. Overall, Swift is a warm cheerful guy with a slightly twisted humor.

SWEET APPLE SUNRISE, Steven Swift’s first major release proves him to be a multi-talented artist; he performs all instruments - guitars, mandolin, piano, harmonica, bass guitar, drums, voice and harmonies. He wrote, recorded and engineered each track over several months in his own studio and developed the artwork for this wholly self-realized project. Steven Swift is a brave and independent young man with plenty of time and talent to refine his musical craft and style for worldwide audiences for years to come.

Previous Release: FIND MY WAY BACK

www.StevenSwift.com
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Steven Swift first artist signed to Groovacious

By Brian Passey - The Spectrum Entertainment Guide

Tim and Lisa Cretsinger know their music. And the duo -- who own Groovacious in Cedar City -- made a good choice in deciding on Steven Swift as the first artist on their new record label, Groovacious Platters.

Jack Johnson comparisons are probably inevitable with Swift's laid-back vocal delivery and acoustic songs about pirates and the ocean. Though Swift's voice is not as smooth as Johnson's, it is more interesting and Swift is a better guitar player.

At times you can tell Swift's debut album, "Sweet Apple Sunrise," is a self-produced work. It may not have the polished perfection of major-label releases, but in exchange it retains a warmer, more realistic sound. At times it feels as if Swift is just sitting a few feet away in the coffee shop, strumming his guitar and singing.

One trait that truly separates Swift from Johnson is that Swift's songs do not all sound the same. There is quite a lot of variety on "Sweet Apple Sunrise," from instrumental classical guitar to singalong rock songs to the blues. Tracks like "Roanoke, VA" and "Fell Down From The Water" are instantly catchy.

It might seem a bit strange for a guy living in the Great Basin desert to be singing about the ocean, but somehow it works. After all, Cedar City does have a lighthouse.

Acoustic guitar dominates most of the tracks, including some beautiful picking on "Burnt Bridges," but occasionally a harmonica or an electric guitar breaks in to liven things up, like on the dark "I Can't Wait."

"Loose Lips" finds Swift implementing a more experimental sound on the bridge, evoking the solo albums by John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The chorus, however, features yet another catchy tune but would warrant a "parental advisory" warning on a major record label.

The standout tracks come toward the end of the album as Swift combines soaring vocals and chiming guitars on "Wake Up," which follows the melodic "Too Love." Here, on "Too Love," is Swift at his most intimate. You can hear the sincerity in his voice as the words seem to come directly from his heart.