Joe Osborn, Darren Osborn, David Osborn, Dave Hoffpauir, Chris Michaels, Arnie Cottrell
Influences
Blind Lemon Jefferson, Mance Lipscomb, Blind Willie Johnson, Ramblin' Henry Thomas, Charley Patton, Robert Johnson, Willie Brown, Kid Bailey, Mississippi John Hurt, Mississippi Fred McDowell, Skip James, Bo Carter, John Miller, Duck Baker, Jamie Findlay, Chet Atkins, Lenny Breau, Bucky Pizzarelli, George Van Eps, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, Johnny Smith, Ted Greene, Frank Vignola, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Fats Waller, Harold Arlen, Johnny Mercer, Kurt Weill, Mose Allison, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, Hampton Hawes, Geoff Muldaur, Ry Cooder, Dave Van Ronk, Dan Hicks, Taj Mahal, Doc Watson, Joe Osborn, Doug Sahm, The Gourds, Nick Lowe, Geraint Watkins, Ian McLagan, Don & Juan, the guys I am fortunate enough to play with, and many, many more.....
Steve Howell's My Mind Gets To Ramblin' is about as near to perfection as I have heard in a long time!
Thirteen covers, mostly old blues classics, delivered with such style and feeling that the original bluesmen are applauding from their graves.
Howell opens with a completely satisfying version of Muddy Waters' I Can't Be Satisfied. He has mellowed the tune a bit from Muddy's and turned it into a strut that is a delight to hear. Next up is a version of Mississippi Fred McDowell's Louise. Hot, hot, hot! Imagine R.L. Burnside meets Mississippi John Hurt. Howell paid attention to McDowell's declaration, "I don't play no rock and roll" but still brings this tune forward with a understated drive that just absolutely works.
Understated. A great way to describe the bulk of what Howell delivers on this CD. The guitar work is first rate without being "in your face." The vocals have a gentle coarseness that easily seduce you into the reality of the songs. The use of bass and drums on material not normally associated with these instruments. The top notch but simple and clean production work. All this builds a musical collection that anyone into acoustic, country blues should rush to include in their library.
The cover of All My Friends Are Gone, also known as Delia is one of the saddest versions I've ever heard. Mississippi Blues is such a chestnut that most folks should stay away from recording it but Howell's handling is so right on that he gets away with it. And the Robert Johnson, Rev. Robert Wilkins and J.D. Loudermilk covers are equally strong.
- Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange (Tampa Blue)
Howell is an accomplished fingerpicking guitarist and a musical scholar.....his interpretations are spirited and exact.....The emphasis is on getting the details right, and they do.
- William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide (3.5 out of 5 stars)
If blues fans think the idea of a “songster” left the planet with the late Mance Lipscomb, Steve Howell will turn that thinking around right quick in an age where songs are too often mere vehicles for guitarists to strut their virtuosity. He previously showed reverence for the integrity of the great American songbook of blues, jazz and standards on Out of the Past (released on his label Out of the Past) with fresh, vital and timeless interpretations. On My Mind Gets to Ramblin’ his focus is on country blues and the results are even more impressive as he digs deeper into the music that is his consuming passion.
You will search long and in vain to find a warmer or more inviting sound, both
instrumentally and vocally, than is heard in the 13 tracks of My Mind Gets to Ramblin’. Some is due to the playing of acoustic instruments and the unobtrusive recording technology, but the heart of the music is the soul of the man captured on disk. With the legendary veteran bassist Joe Osborn and his two drumming sons, Darren and David, augmented by guitarists Buddy Flett and Caskey giving their all, Howell lives and breathes authenticity. “I Can’t Be Satisfied” swings effortlessly as he slides on his guitar like Muddy Waters with restrained authority and convincingly sells his tale of homesickness without slavish imitation.
Robert Johnson’s “Steady Rollin’ Man” has been covered many times, but here Howell transforms the original steady Mississippi work song beat into a relentless Texas shuffle driven by the riff and his propulsive bottlenecking. Likewise, the straight stomp of Memphis Minnie’s “Ain’t Nothin’ in Ramblin’”
and Mississippi Fred McDowell’s hypnotic “Louise” crackle with non-electric energy while demonstrating that volume is not the only method for producing power. Every song is a treat for guitar players, with William Brown’s eponymous “Mississippi Blues” and the Rev. Robert Wilkins’ “Dirty Deal Blues” stand out showcases for Howell’s exceptionally clean, fluid and nuanced chops. Wilkins’ “Prodigal Son,” famously (and infamously) covered by the Rolling Stones in the late 1960s, here is given a rollicking, ringing workout by Howell that plumbs the inherent syncopation only hinted at in the original.
The set would not be complete without a tribute to Mance Lipscomb and “Ain’t You Sorry” is a fine choice to display Howell’s wry delivery in addition to Caskey’s guitar skills. The performance also serves to show the width and breadth of Howell’s musical embrace, as does his surprising version of the
classic spiritual “Joshua F’it the Battle of Jericho” that follows with tasteful chord melody worthy of the best jazz guitarists. Closing the disk is Kid Bailey’s “Rowdy Blues,” done with that combination of pathos, resignation and dignity that is the hallmark of the greatest country blues and its practitioners. Bailey is an obscure personage in the genre, but with his newest release Steve Howell has staked a serious and bonafide claim for much wider acknowledgement in contemporary traditional blues territory.
-Dave Rubin / Staff writer Guitar Edge Magazine
I know Steve Howell as some time ago he sent me his previous album for airplay. My listeners noticed how elegant and sophisticated his guitar playing is. With “My Mind Gets To Ramblin’” Steve shows another face of his talent, raw and rough. His take on Delta blues is emotional and interesting, his voice is strong and his guitar playing is very juicy. I like his attempt to introduce his fans to those obscure old masters of the blues and gospel music like Bo Carter or Rev. Wilkins. This is so important to keep the flame burning.
- Przemek Draheim, Radio Sfera, Poland
This is like going back to my folk club days in the 60's and listening to
Stefan Grossman, Mike Cooper and Mississippi Fred McDowell. Steve is a
fabulous guitarist and this is a CD that is going to live in my car for the
foreseeable future. Steve covers material by Robert Johnson, Mance
Lipscomb, Rev. Robert Wilkins, Muddy Waters and Bo Carter among others
and he breathes new life into every cut. This is pure magic.
- countrymusicfactsandnews.com (Jazz and Blues Reviews)
Steve’s second release is a wonderful collection of primarily country blues tunes done in his heartfelt style with the regional authenticity he brings to the music. Featuring the stellar rhythm section work of Joe Osborn, the legendary studio bassist, and Joe’s son, Darren, playing most of the drum parts, engineering, mixing and mastering, Steve has produced another work of great songs interpreted in his soulful vocal style and solid fingerstyle approach to the guitar.
- Blues Report E-zine
Quietly dipping into '20's-'40's country blues, Steve Howell's "My Mind Gets To Ramblin'" succeeds instrumentally. His slide work is especially pleasant.
- Goldmine
Howell is an accomplished fingerpicking guitarist and a musical scholar.....his interpretations are spirited and exact.....The emphasis is on getting the details right, and they do.
- William Ruhlmann, All Music Guide (4 out of 5 stars)
Wonderful country acoustic guitar blues playing with a wonderful feel. It was so good, I worried the vocals might compromise it, but was pleasantly surprised. Minimal backup instrumentation though sometimes mix uneven. Guitar and “feel” of the old acoustic country blues are the stars here. Very nice to hear that music played with such finesse. Main vocal plain but not offensive, and sometimes assisted by sweet backups, and as I said—the guitar work is really good. Nice stuff for morning mix. B+
A fresh and knowledgeable collection of American roots music and country blues.... a fine, balanced reflection of styles.... an enjoyable and very varied mix of moods, making this an album that will continue to enthrall the listener. He has a soft, ringing voice, and knows how to touch your heart time and again. In fact, the whole CD is a wonderful voyage of discovery!
- RootsTime (Belgium - Dec. 2008)
The disc has a warm, intimate feeling to it, perfectly accentuated by Howell’s calm, relaxed vocal style. My Mind Gets To Ramblin’ is an immensely rewarding release that will please any fans of country blues guitar.
- Blues Bytes (Dec. 2008)
You immediately get the impression that here is a man without ego, who plays the blues because he loves to do so. This CD is full of flavour and a huge mix of influences. Every song is changed just enough to put Howell’s mark on it, without losing the original taste. He shows that he can play the songs with originality and imagination, and there isn’t a bad one amongst them. He can do this for years to come and I’ll enjoy every bit of it. There is an excellent mixture of tempos, rhythms and flavours on this album, and it fulfills the well worn cliché “something for everyone.” If you like country blues, then buy this album – if you’re not sure, then buy it and be converted!
- Terry Clear for Blues Bytes (Dec. 2008)
Out Of The Past Reviews
“It has a steady beat, soft and cool, plenty of melodies, each as crisp as the next, played with incredible perfection, the thing that takes you wherever it wants, whenever it wants and you never even feel the time is dragging, it's that beautiful....Played by a quartet of virtuosos in a laid-back, easy style. A quartet that serves you a sharp-dressed music, concise, but careful — notice that I didn't say sterile! Mustn't get it wrong! A gentle and fresh music that we would like to hear more often, a music in which each instrument shines like the sun, where everything is all happiness and precious. Steve Howell is a warm singer and excellent guitarist...it's all great, it's all rolling in silk, a listening gem that's a long way from the noise and the fury. A pearl recommended for aficionados of beautiful guitar, but also for all blues lovers who still know where the blue note comes from......”
- Blues & Co. Magazine (France)
“Wow. Talk about your complete breath of fresh air! This is an awesome, awe inspiring collection of classic old tunes remodeled and reinterpreted by Steve Howell and company. Fantastic renditions of some time honored classic tunes. Howell shows a delicate balance of respect and admiration for his source material while still taking it to a new place for us. A wonderful album of great work.”
- Southwest Blues
“Howell and his sidemen display an obvious comfort with the material and guitar fans will enjoy the warm tones he coaxes from his Benedetto archtop. Howell's vocals easily glide over the music, but with enough character to make these interpretations his own. Engineered and mixed at Shreveport's Sandbox Recording Studio, the cd's crisp production lets all instruments shine, sure to please even the most discriminating high-end audio enthusiasts. This easy-going and enjoyable release will certainly gain Howell wider recognition. Simply put, this is how the pros do it.”
– Living Blues Magazine
“The natural ease of Steve’s Chet Atkins-styled picking and the jazz trio format seamlessly blends these artifacts of Americana together. The intros to “Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams” and the absolutely gorgeous cover of Satchmo’s “When it’s Sleepy Time Down South” convey so much emotion on their own that the verses are almost anticlimactic. When he switches into a higher register...., as on Blind Teddy Darby’s “I Never Cried (Built Right On The Ground),” Steve finds a gentle yearning that suits him well, sort of a cross between Clapton and Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson. There’s true gold just beyond the pastoral horizon of “Out Of The Past...”
- OffBeat Magazine
"Steve Howell simply shines on his new release. Country, Blues and Jazz sounds that feature the guitar and vocal workings of a master musician. "Out of the Past" features a variety of music styles that are clean and uncluttered and are more than enjoyable to listen to. Steve presents his songs with an uncommon feel for the past music of days gone by. This album is excellent and should make waves throughout the music industry."
- Roots Music Report
"Steve plays these songs his way. He has been playing them for years, but he does it without changing them. That's where his heart is. Of all my fingerpicking friends, Steve is the fingerpickingest."
- Joe Osborn (legendary bassist who has played on hundreds of Top 40 pop, rock and country hits)
“Howell’s arch-top picking, marked by a lovely melodic sensibility, is immaculate, his vocals relaxed and honest. Songs like Charley Patton’s Moon Going Down” and Blind Teddy Darby’s “I Never Cried” surprisingly work as well in the small band arrangements created by Howell and Joe Osborn on bass.”
- Blues Revue
“The [Texas] guitarist/ vocalist’s preference for roots music and vintage Tin Pan Alley in an intimate trio setting affords a rare, close-up opportunity to hear Joe Osborn work his masterful way with a song.”
– Bass Player magazine ‘BP RECOMMENDS’ section
"Out of the Past" is a delightful acoustic journey back in time to the Great American songbook. A must listen disc for today's songwriters and pickers alike."
- James "The Blues Hound" Nagel - 90.1 KPFT Houston, TX
When Steve Howell first heard Mississippi John Hurt's style of fingerpicking country blues in 1965 at the age of thirteen, he immediately knew that the tame, folky style of strumming the guitar was a thing of the past for him. This revelation opened the door to a new musical universe for him. As his journey progressed, Mississippi John Hurt begat Blind Willie McTell and Leadbelly. They in turn begat Robert Johnson, Son House, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Willie Johnson, Blind Blake and a host of other black acoustic guitar players and vocalists. His interest in rural, folk-blues styles and the history of the music led him to learn more about how this music came to town and melded with the horn-oriented bands prevalent in the cities, creating a strong affinity for him with the traditional jazz and New Orleans music of the first half of the twentieth century. This led to a journey through music which, of course, included the pop, country, rock and blues music of the times, as well as the music of Miles Davis, Bill Evans, Lester Young, Louis Armstrong, Jack Teagarden, Art Tatum, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Chet Atkins, Johnny Smith, Wes Montgomery, Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Pass, George Van Eps, Lenny Breau, and many other great jazz artists. Although very interested in many other music styles (bebop, rock 'n' roll, rhythm and blues, and others), the heart of his playing and singing is very much rooted in the rural acoustic blues and traditional jazz genres born in the American South.
Born in Marshall, Texas, Steve lived in Kilgore, Texas, until the age of seventeen, when his family moved to Shreveport, Louisiana. Upon Steve's graduation from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, he lived in Dallas, Arlington, Austin, and spent some time in Pennsylvania during 1972-1973. Late 1973 brought the beginning of a hitch in the U.S. Navy which took him to Key West, Florida, and then to Havorfordwest, South Wales, for 3 1/2 years. During this time, he played folk clubs in South Wales, as well as in the South of England with his partner, fingerstyle and slide guitarist and mandolinist, Arnie Cottrell. They also played several folk music gatherings including the Pembroke Castle Folk Festival in the spring of 1976.
Upon his return to the United States in 1977 and his return to Shreveport, Louisiana, he attended Louisiana State University in Shreveport and graduated in 1980 with a degree in Communications. During this time he played on the Shreveport club scene through the late seventies and the eighties, with numerous gigs around East Texas, initially as a duo with guitarist David Dodson in 1977 and then with his partner, Shreveport restauranteur Jim Caskey, beginning in 1978. Steve and Jim have been regular performers at Shreveport's Red River Revel Arts Festival, having played the festival every year, except three, since its inception. Their duo, Howell & Caskey, has opened for Country Joe and the Fish, Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets, Bugs Henderson, Ponty Bone and the Squeezetones, and shared the stage with blues legend Brownie McGee. They have also played together in rock 'n' roll and blues bands over the years, most notably The Deadbeats and The Movers, with musicians from the Shreveport and the Ark-La-Tex area such as Dave Hoffpauir, Mark Roberts, Chris Michaels, Steve Ramey, and Randy Guynes. They also played traditional jazz and blues as a trio with Kathryn Hobgood singing and playing mandolin for about two years.
Hi Steve,I thankyou so much for your friendship,I wish you all the best in all you ,maybe you would like to sign my guest book,Thanks,God Bless.GARY V.
Ciao, Steve Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot,and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music. all the best.. from italy..and good week end neal
Thanks for the kind words, especially from a fellow musician such as yourself. I am sorry you were greeted by a dirty rap song on my profile. I'm certain that a friend of mine hacked my profile and put that song on there. I'm just too lazy to change it.
Christian
P.S. It is very unfortunate to hear of your condition.
Hi Steve Howell We wanna thank you for your very important support in those sad days.
This thanx are in our name, in the name of Enrico's wife Paola and in the name of his sons.
Enrico Micheletti's ashes are flyin' throughout the universe and we hope his soul is finally arrived at a beautiful destination.
What about his music and the music we had recorded toghether?
We finally decide to get it out. We wanna remeber Enrico in this way. In the first quarter of 2009 we will publish all our and Enrico Micheletti' s materials on Itunes and many other stores on the web.
We'll send you a message when it's all ready.
God bless you!!! Have a wonderful 2009!!!
KEEP THE BLUES ALIVEEEE!!!!!!!
Ciao Steve Howell ti volevamo ringraziare per le tue parole e per il tuo sostegno in periodo così difficile per noi.
Questi ringraziamenti non sono formali, sono veramente sinceri a nome nostro, della moglie di Enrico Paola e a nome dei suoi figli.
Le ceneri di Enrico Micheletti sono disperse nel mar Tirreno e stanno viaggiando nell' universo. Noi speriamo che anche la sua anima abbia raggiunto finalmente il miglior approdo possibile.
Cosa fare del suo materiale in nostro possesso e del materiale che abbiamo registrato insieme?
Dopo aver pensato a lungo sul da farsi abbiamo deciso di pubblicarlo. Lo pubblicheremo su Itunes ed altri siti così tutti potranno trovarlo se lo cercano. Glielo dobbiamo. Glielo deve chi lo ha conosciuto.
Cercheremo di pubblicare tutto ciò che è in nostro possesso nei primi mesi del 2009.
Appena sarà tutto pronto ti faremo sapere.
Felice Anno Nuovo. Dio ti benedica ancora, grazie. Suonate il blues più che
I have been listening to your CD almost continuously since I received it a month ago. It has made its way into a regular rotation of albums I enjoy listening to. And I do not think it is going to move out of that rotation anytime soon.
The praise and awards that you have received and will receive for this work are all justified and very well earned.
Musically, the gripping guitar work alone speaks volumes of your prowess. Your lyrics are kept true and honest by your voice and delivery.
It had been a while since I heard an artist launch such a cohesive album: the kind of album you can and must listen to non-stop because listening to it any other way interferes with the fabric of the musical experience.
In closing, I must say that you have got gold Mr. Howell, and I can assure you that your CD will make it into many fans' favorite piles.
You've done music a great service in this time of creative drought. Keep the tunes coming and keep the music alive.
Hey Steve Howell! I just wanted to personally invite you to the recording of my new live CD & DVD "LIVE FROM MUSIC CITY TEXAS", & my Birthday Celebration on January 17th in Linden, TX at Music City Texas Theater! Special guests include Lance Lopez & New Jack & The Rippers!!
This is gonna be one night of Smokin' Hot Texas Blues & Rock that you do not wanna miss!!
I will be playing songs from my last studio record "FOREST OF THE PINE" which I wrote about our home here in the Ark-La-Tex as well as new songs from my upcoming record "Blood, Sweat, & Years". I sure hope to see ya there!
You can order tickets by calling the Music City Theater Box Office at (903)756-9934 or via the web at www. musiccitytexas. org
Hi Steve! Thank you so much for adding my music page! I hope you enjoy the tunes and I look forward to getting to know your music as well!! Happy New Year!
Wishing you the best Blue Holiday ever! Tampa Blue "New and Used Acoustic Blues" Traditional, acoustic, Delta, slide, Piedmont, finger-style, Southern rural, pre-war, country, pre-electric blues with a touch of spirituals, hollers, rags and American finger-style guitar seasoning.
