Album Notes

Steve Strauss's debut CD, Powderhouse Road, has won the praise of critics for its fine musical craftsmanship and depth of feeling. "Compared to Strauss," says the German edition of Acoustic Guitar magazine, "even J.J. Cale seems nervous and tense." Steve has no trouble living up to the comparison. "I like a laid-back delivery," he says, "as long as the material is intense."

A native of New York, Steve grew up listening to every genre of music from folk to jazz to bluegrass and blues, all of which are reflected in his unique songwriting and performance style. He is a talented singer and multi-instrumentalist, as comfortable crooning behind a guitar in his rich baritone voice as he is ripping hot licks from a mandolin or pounding out rhythms on a Djembe.

Steve has played at some of folk music's finest venues, including the Eighth Step, Café Lena's, Four Corners, and the Night Eagle Cafe. He has opened for Greg Brown , Ellis Paul, Steve Forbert, and Solas, and has shared the stage with Jay Mankita, The Harmonious Hogchokers, and Christine Lavin.

In the summer of 1996, Steve met German ex-patriot and 70's folk icon Klaus Weiland. Klaus was so impressed with Steve's songs that he personally delivered a demo tape into the hands of Günter Pauler, tonmeister of Germany's premier folk label, Stockfisch Records. Soon after, Steve was on his way to Germany to record Powderhouse Road.

Since the release of Powderhouse Road in the fall of 1998, Steve has toured Germany to the rave reviews of both critics and audiences alike. His performances have been called "thought provoking," "an unforgettable experience," "ironic," and "wistful."

"I want to move people," says Steve. "I want them to walk away from my show a little bit changed." For Steve Strauss, that's not hard to accomplish. Listen and be moved.