Steven Alvarado: News

Hi friends,

Let it Go has been out now 11 months, and still the reviews keep coming in from around the world. It's pretty exciting that the new album has done so well and garnered so much interest.

Here are a couple of new reviews to share:

Steven Alvarado - Let It Go (Mott Street)

Met ‘The Howl Sessions’ raakte Alvarado drie jaar geleden uit de obscuriteit. De singer-songwriter die opgroeide in Los Angeles was in 2001 via Nashville in New York City beland en had voordien in eigen beheer al twee langspelers uitgebracht. ‘Let It Go’ is een wat somber klinkend werkstuk waarin Alvarado zijn zielenroerselen blootlegt met rauwe klagelijke zang.

Dat gebeurt meestal op een rustige manier, met uitzondering van de forse opener waarin percussief akoestisch snarenwerk van Alvarado het gezelschap krijgt van de rinkelende elektrische gitaar van Marc Ribot, bekend van zijn werk met Elvis Costello en Tom Waits. Naast een percussionist uit het entourage van Tom Waits is er een ritmesectie met connecties bij Rufus Wainwright, Rickie Lee Jones en Shaw Colvin. Pianist Rob Burger kennen we van zijn recente samenwerking met Lucinda Williams. Deze gereputeerde muzikanten vervullen hun werk meer dan voortreffelijk en het puike songwerk krijgt nog meer glans met subtiele accenten. In het treurige New York herinnert de stem van Alvarado enigszins aan de rasp van Waits, maar dan in een soort light versie, evenals bij ’It’s Allright’, dat op sloom twangend snarenwerk drijft en waarin Steven terugblikt naar zijn verblijf in Nashville. Het vroegere werk heb ik even fragmentarisch beluisterd op het net. Niet onverdienstelijk, vooral ‘The Howling Sessions’. De tien nummers van ‘Let It Go’ klinken ongetwijfeld stuk voor stuk meer beklijvend. Ongetwijfeld het beste dat we tot dusver van deze getalenteerde songwriter gehoord hebben.

-Cis Van Looy, Keys & Chords Magazine

Google Translate:

With The Howl Sessions Alvarado was three years ago from the obscurity.

The singer-songwriter who grew up in Los Angeles in 2001 by Nashville in New York City and brings in his own administration had previously been given two long-players. Let It Go is a rather gloomy sounding piece which Alvarado his soul stirring principles exposed complainant to establish a raw vocals.

This is usually done in a peaceful way, with the exception of the strong opener which percussief acoustic strings work of Alvarado the company receives from the tinkling electric guitar of Marc Ribot, known for his work with Elvis Costello and Tom Waits. In addition to a percussionist from the entourage of Tom Waits is a rhythm section with links to Rufus Wainwright, Rickie Lee Jones and Shaw Colvin. Pianist Rob Burger, we know of his recent collaboration with Lucinda Williams. This renowned musicians perform their work more than excellent song and a very fine piece of work gets even more shine with subtle accents. In New York, the sad voice of Alvarado slightly to the rasp of Waits, but in a kind of light version, as in 'It's Allright ", which slow Twan ing strings work drives and Steven looks back to his residence in Nashville. The former work, I just listened to patchy on the net. Not full service, especially 'The Howling Sessions. The ten songs of "Let It Go 'sound certainly all more persistent. Undoubtedly the best we have so far heard this talented songwriter.

-Cis Van Looy, Keys & Chords Magazine


Steven Alvarado – Let It Go
Ook Steven Alvarado heeft op Let It Go een paar prima gasten, waar Marc Ribot de opvallendste van is. Ribot voegt met zijn electrische gitaar op elke plaat waar hij op meespeelt iets toe, hij zet de boel op scherp, zorgt voor het ruwe randje en zorgt ervoor dat de andere muzikanten wakker blijven. Zo ook hier. De tien zelfgeschreven nummers zijn vrijwel allemaal droevige liefdesliedjes, al worden ze soms in een swingende rockversie gebracht. De cd is alleen wat aan de korte kant - een krap half uurtje.

-Moors Magazine

Hi all,

My music is now available through BMI/You License for music licensing! If you are a music supervisor and need music for film or television you can now get my music very easy with just a few clicks. No headaches, and no endless red-tape!

Check it out:



-Steven

Hi everyone,

I have some good news! My single “Its For You" from the Let It Go album just got picked up to use in a new TV show on MTV Networks called Chris & John to the Rescue. Actually, it's not that new, they are starting their third season! I don’t know much about the show other than Chris & John answer viewers calls for help and show up at their door to lend a hand and help solve whatever the problem.

Sounds like a fun quirky show. I’ll be sure to let you know air-dates. Just keep checking back.

More news later!

Hi all,

I met Conan O’Brien in the studio the other day. He’s very nice, just as you would expect and NOT an asshole as often is the case. He let me snap a photo to share with you.

On A Break...
I’ve been on a little break, taking care of regular life. I moved into a new apartment (still in Manhattan) and had to spend time putting it together. You know how it is.

New Tour?
I’m starting to work on more tour dates. After my last European tour was so abruptly cancelled, I’m still a little apprehensive. For now I’m working on American dates. Nothing to tell you yet, but I’ll keep you posted.

Booking Agent?
As many of you know, I handle most of my booking myself. However, I thought I’d put the feelers out there and see if I can find an up-and-coming booking agent. Someone who is just starting out, and full of ambition. If you are interested just send me an email.

More news later ...

-Steven

Hi everyone,

I got another really great album review from a magazine in Germany. I've posted it below for you to read.

More news later!

-Steven


Steven Alvarado “Let it Go”
Singer songwriter Steven Alvarado is een artiest die onder gebracht is bij Hemifran records, en is een mix van rock, blues, folk qua muziek.

De man zet prachtige songs neer, die doen denken aan Springsteen, JJ Cale, roots-blues, en meer van dit soort dingen. De tracks zijn erg gevarieerd naar mijn menig, en de man speelt prima gitaar en zingt erg prettig, en de songs hebben een lekkere sfeer.
Ook de meerstemmige dingen mogen er wezen. Als je misschien denkt dat dit een saai album is, kan ik je meteen gerust stellen want het ligt erg lekker in het gehoor. Zijn stem is ook elke keer anders. Vele rootsy invloeden, en ook new-orleans klanken zijn de man niet vreemd. Uitstekende begeleiders maken dit album tot een zeer genietbare schijf, die heerlijk wegluisterd.

Mooie voorbeelden zijn Its allright en Burning bridges. Laat je verassen door alweer zo een mooie release uit de stal die singer-songwriter, maar net zo gemakkelijk ook blues-rootsy en folk invloeden zeer hoog in het vaandel hebben staan, en elke keer weer voor een zeer prettige verassing zorgen op muziek gebied.

-Mayor Tona
Translation
Steven Alvarado "Let it Go"
Singer songwriter Steven Alvarado is an artist who was brought to us from Hemifran records (Netherlands), and is a mix of rock, blues, and folk music.
Alvarado’s beautiful songs are reminiscent of Springsteen, JJ Cale, roots-blues, and more of this sort. The tracks are very diverse in my view and this noble artist plays guitar and sings wonderfully, and the songs have nice ambiance.

The recording is stripped to the essential, but don’t think this album is bleak. I can reassure you that it is worth consideration. Alvarado’s voice is distinctive each time with many roots and New-Orleans influences with a sound out of the ordinary. His excellent choice in musicians, contribute to making this album a very enjoyable disc. It is simply delicious.

Some beautiful morsels include It 's Alright and Burning Bridges. Let yourself be surprised by this album. Alvarado is a hardly-known, nicely-established, singer-songwriter, made of easy-blues, and folk-influenced roots and is of the highest priority for your must-have CD’s. A very pleasant surprise.

-Mayor Tona

Hi all,

I spent my New Years Eve here in New York City the best way I could think of, at the Patti Smith concert. She played at the Bowery Ballroom. My friend Emery is her sound mixer & producer and invited me and a friend to the show.

I snapped a few pics from my iPhone to share with you.

-Steven

Hi Friends,

2008 has been quite a year and I have had so many good things come my way I can only be grateful. The year has had its ups and downs, that’s for sure. On the down side, my European tour came to a crashing halt and was canceled unexpectedly. It left me very disappointed and a little depressed. I also had a death in the family, which was very difficult and heart breaking.

On the upside after much hard work and a long time in the studio in 2007, I recorded Let it Go, my new album and released it in April this year. I was able to ask some of my most favorite musicians in the world to play on it. Guys like Marc Ribot and Kenny Wollesen who have played with everyone from Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, T-Bone Burnett, & Sam Phillips, to Norah Jones, Rufus Wainright, & Rickie Lee Jones. The album received a staggering amount of good reviews and I did a bunch of interviews for features in a bunch of major magazines, which was all very exciting. My music video for the single Its For You made the top 10 on MTV’s LOGO channel. The video also got picked up by MTV, VH1, LOGO & SPIKE TV among others for regular rotation. USA Today picked the album in their Top 10 Picks and I was asked to do a live performance for my album release at The Living Room here in New York City that was broadcast live on Serious Satellite Radio. Let It Go has passed The Howl Sessions in sales and has only been out for 9 months as of this writing. The Howl Sessions has been out since 2005! All I can say is I am very proud of this album and am thankful to all of you and the press for such a positive reception.

To wrap it all up I have some nice year-end news! Both The Howl Sessions and my new album Let It Go made the top 200 best sellers in the Folk-Alternative category at CDBaby (my distributor). That’s quite an accomplishment!

And finally, what better way to end the year than another great review. This one comes from Italy in a magazine called Il Popolo del Blues.

Thanks everyone and see you out there! Keep checking back for tour dates!

-Steven




After the critically acclaimed The Howl Sessions, Steven Alvarado comes back with a new album titled Let It Go, that features ten tracks where he sings about himself and his personal experiences. Marc Ribot appears as special guest in all tracks.

1 Get This Far
2 It's For You
3 Nobody Knows
4 Burning Bridges
5 New York
6 Blue
7 Gone, Gone, Gone
8 See You Again
9 It's Alright
10 Reasons

Steven Alvarado si è segnalato negl’ultimi anni come un onesto cantautore con buoni numeri che gli hanno permesso di togliersi qualche soddisfazione come nel caso del bel disco inciso nel 2005, The Howl Sessions. Oggi ci riprova, alzando la posta, con Let It Go disco che raccoglie dieci nuovi brani incisi con una band eccellente nella quale spiccano Marc Ribot alla chitarra, Kenny Wollesen alla batteria, Rob Burger al piano e Joe Quigley al basso. Lo stile rispetto al passato ha perso quella riflessività che lo contraddistingueva ma non la capacità di toccare le corde del cuore dell’ascoltatore, il songwriting ora è più maturo e sembra strizzare l’occhio ora a John Mellencamp ora a Springsteen, senza dimenticare il suo nume tutelare Bob Dylan, che fa capolino qua e là durante il disco. Nelle canzoni di Alvarado ritroviamo lo spirito del blue collar, delle polverose strade della provincia americana ma anche un spaccati di vita quotidiana come la difficoltà di vivere un rapporto di coppia e la delusione per un amore finito. All’ascolto il disco sorprende per gli arrangiamenti e per le ottime parti di chitarra di cui si fa carico Marc Ribot e che impreziosiscono non poco ogni singolo brano. Si passa così dal Dylan evocato in Gone, Gone, Gone al Van Morrison di Get This Far fino ma è con brani come It’s For You e Nobody Knows che emerge quel pizzico di originalità che fa di Alvarado una sicura promessa. Godibilissime sono anche la cantautorale See You Again, il country di Burning Bridges e i due rock strada ioli New York e It’s All Right. Chiude il disco quella perla che è la pianistica Reason, un brano intenso ed emozionante che evidenzia tutte le potenzialità del songwriting di Alvarado. Let It Go è senza dubbio una bella sorpresa ma solo il futuro ci dirà qual è il valore reale del suo autore.

-Salvatore Esposito

Google Translation

Steven Alvarado was reported negl'ultimi years as an honest singer with good numbers that enabled him to shed some satisfaction as with the beautiful disc recorded in 2005, The Howl Sessions. Today we try again, raising the post, with Let It Go disc that collects ten new songs engraved with an excellent band in which stand out Marc Ribot on guitar, Kenny Wollesen on drums, Rob Burger of the plan and Joe Quigley on bass. The style than in the past that has lost reflexivity that distinguishes it but not the ability to touch the strings of the heart of the audience, the songwriting is now more mature and seems to squeeze the eye now John Mellencamp Springsteen now, without forgetting his nume protect Bob Dylan, who is head here and there throughout the disc. The songs of Alvarado find the spirit of blue collar, the dusty roads of the province but also an American snapshots of daily life such as the difficulty of living a relationship of the couple and a love for disappointment over. Listening to the disc surprises for the arrangement and for the good parts of the guitar which is being Marc Ribot and not just embellish each song. We move so touched by Dylan in Gone, Gone, Gone to Van Morrison to Get This Far up but with songs like It's For You and Nobody Knows emerging that hint of originality that makes Alvarado definite promise. Godibilissime are also cantautorale See You Again, the country of Burning Bridges and the two rock road IOLI New York and It's All Right. That closes the disc which is the pearl piano Reason, an intense and emotional song that highlights the potential of songwriting to Alvarado. Let It Go is certainly a surprise but only the future will tell us what is the real value of its author.

-Salvatore Esposito

Hi Friends,

Sorry for the long pause between posts. I had a death in the family and that has taken a bit of a toll on me. I was in California for a few days to go to the funeral, and that was really hard and stressful and exhausting. I also just moved into a new apartment here in New York and getting unpacked and putting my new place together has been taking up all my time. I’m still not done. Not to worry, all is well and I’m feeling a little better.

I’ll post again in a few days but for now I wanted to share a video hot-off-the-press that I just found. It cheered me up and I hope it does the same for you.

Bush made an unannounced trip to Iraq on Sunday and an Iraqi reporter threw his shoes at him, the highest form of disgrace in that country. The man hurled an insult at Bush along with the shoes: “This is a farewell kiss, you dog!" You gotta love that!

-Steven

Hi Friends,

MTV just added my music video It's For You!
Click here to see it:

Also, UK Country Radio (click below) will be playing a song from the new album this Wednesday night on the Wolf Mountains show, November 12th at 8PM (UK time). 3PM EST (New York)


Be sure to tune in!

-Steven

Millions of New Yorkers took to the streets to celebrate the victory of the new American president, Barack Obama.

Spontaneous celebrations took place in NYC, Harlem, DC, San Francisco, and across America.

The Bush nightmare is over!

xoxo

-Steven

New York City
(we stopped the traffic)

Harlem, NYC

DC

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

Austin, TX

To all my friends around the world.

The nightmare in America is finally over. Tonight we took our country back from a treasonist dictator who deserves to be put in prison for the rest of his life.

Barack Obama is the new American President!

Happy days my friends...

Hi Friends, don't forget to vote for Barrack Obama on Tuesday!!

The Bush nightmare is almost over.

-Steven

MAVERICK MAGAZINE, UK
Steven Alvarado CD Review Steven Alvarado
Let It Go Mott Street Records MS-002

**1/2

A new name and to some degree a new sound, ever lively and with Steven Alvardo carving out clever hooky grooves merging rock with pop he has already gained himself an audience in Europe

On hearing but a couple of songs you get to thinking, what away to go! Such is the fashion Alvardo tackles the job of making music—apart from when on a couple of the latter cuts he becomes deeply entrenched in music offering a moody feel. On showing hints of Tom Waits, Dylan, Jesse Malin among others, the one-time Nashville-based Alvarado remains solid throughout.

One of the reasons Alvardo’s music rocks so keenly lies in the use of musicians, Marc Ribot’s ever present electric guitar alongside Kenny Wollesen’s percussion, Joe Quigley’s bass and pianist Rob Burger plus Steve’s acoustic guitar and vocals. The music on Burning Bridges, incessant Gone, Gone, Gone and the smouldering It’s Alright is stripped down as he reflects, sombrely, on how he met his love when he was living back in Nashville and is of a slower tempo than initially promised.

Rather than focussing on any particular relationship or specific person, Steven has blended them all into the material written for an album best viewed as being, contemporary. No better or stronger does he lay down his work than on, New York. Most fitting it is too, seeing as both the album and, where he now resides when not on the road, both Stateside and over here in Europe.

-Maurice Hope, Maverick Magazine

Hi Friends,

I need a vacation. I need to find this island and go there and chill. I’m taking some time off and won’t be posting for a few days. But not to worry, I’ll be back soon!

Steven

Hi friends,

So now that I’m back home in New York and have had a couple of days to get over what happened to me, I ‘d love to hear from you.

I’m still upset that I was turned away at the UK boarder just because they felt like being extra Nazi that day. They ruined my entire European tour. All I wanted to do was share my music with people who were interested in hearing it. What’s the problem with that? They insist that I get a Visa & a work permit. So, that’s what I’ll do. Even thought their website has a special page for “Entertainers” that says we don’t need a work permit.

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk/othercategories/entertainers/
"This section explains how you can come to the United Kingdom as an entertainer without a work permit. In most cases, you will need a work permit and you should see the work permits, sports and entertainers section for more information. This section explains, however, that if you have a genuine invitation to perform at one or more specific events which would mean that you are not in the United Kingdom for longer than six months and you do not use your engagement to establish yourself in the United Kingdom, you may not need a work permit."
Does anyone have a story about being denied entry into a country that you had hoped to visit? I’d love to hear it. Send me an email, and I might even post it.

Xoxo

Steven

Hi Friends,

Well it’s hard to believe, but I was denied entry into the UK and they sent me back to New York. I just got home and have been traveling for 24 hours. I took the red-eye last night from New York and arrived in London this morning. I expected to play Germany on Monday, The Netherlands on Tuesday, and then back to the UK on Wednesday.

Apparently the immigration officer at the UK border had different plans for me. He was a little Nazi, very happy to show how powerful he is. He had me held me for six hours locked in this small filthy waiting room! I felt like some sort of criminal. They finally told me that I needed a work permit to enter the UK if I played in any pubs. This has never been an issue before so I don't know why they stopped me this time.

They wouldn't let me go on to Germany or The Netherlands. I didn't know they could do that, but apparently they can, and did. With the stroke of a pen, this rude little man had the power to cancel my tour and send me home.

It’s a real shame that the British government would work against bringing in some culture to their country. All I wanted to do was share my art with people. I find that really hard to understand. I’m not some criminal, I am a well respected recording artist. I guess it’s my fault for assuming that because what I do is on a relatively small scale, I don’t need to go through the same paperwork that say, a band like U2 has to go through. Governments are all the same. They just don’t care. You follow their rules or you don’t get to play. I learned my lesson.

I’m sorry to say that this episode has put me off touring Europe for a while. I think I’ll just stick to the U.S. for a while.

-Steven

Hi Friends,

I'm hitting the road! I'm flying off to Europe for my tour. Come to a show and say hello! I'm going to try and post from the road, but we'll see how that goes.

I'm also taking my video cam to shoot some footage, which if all goes well I will post for you.

See you out there!

-Steven

Hi Friends,

I’m ready to hit the road in just over a week!! In celebration of my upcoming tour, I want to do a CD giveaway! So here’s how it goes:

I have 10 CD’s to give away. The first 10 people to email me with an accurate list of the towns I’m playing on my European tour will get a copy of my new CD.

Pretty easy to win!

Good luck, and see you out there!

-Steven

Hi Friends,

A couple of new CD reviews came in that I thought I’d share with you. They’re great! They are posted below.

Also, I’d love to hear from you if you are planning to catch my upcoming tour. Send me an email to say hi!

-Steven

MAKING MUSIC MAGAZING, UK Steven Alvarado - Let it Go

Regular visitors will be aware of our unlimited admiration for the songs and voice of Mr. Alvarado. This latest release has been painstakingly put together in New York with some well respected musicians, whilst the whole production is minimalist, the key guys have really added just the right amounts of quality and class for Steven's production recipe and the result is ten beautifully crafted, deeply personal offerings. The attention to detail is perfection. Get This Far, It's For You, Burning Bridges and New York make up the rhythm section of this CD and as brilliant as they are, the heart wrenching and thought provoking lyrics of their 6 brothers and sisters on this production once again provide evidence—If it's required, of this guy's superb writing ability.

Once again it is a privilege to listen to this CD and one that we can offer you guys to. We have six copies to give away to the first six applicants, just email us and tell us why you need a free copy of the CD and it's yours.

There are rumors that Steven will be heading back to these shores for some live shows. Last year we caught up with him in New York at Kenny Castaways and The Porter in Bath - look out for him soon. In the meantime try this link stevenalvarado.com

-Rob Wyborn

_________________


Steven Alvarado: Let It Go (Mott Street Records) by Lee Zimmerman

Up until now, New York singer/songwriter Steven Alvarado has dwelled mostly on high-minded precepts, with philosophical ruminations veering towards politics and religion. However, on his latest effort, Let It Go, he, well, lets it go, trading his proselytizing for dark deliberations about broken relationships. Largely acoustic, it opens with a flourish of earnestly strummed offerings – the rockabilly-tinted “Get This Far,” the ever-persistent “It’s For You” and, most notably, the vibrant and jangly “New York.” Ultimately though, the album falls prey to a veil of tears, a downcast demeanor that finds Alvarado reveling in his own despair. “Nobody Knows” is especially affecting, a loser’s lament that finds our hero “Drinking and thinking about you,” even though the woman in question apparently broke his heart into a zillion tiny splinters. Still, that’s only the first hint of apparent anguish; “Burning Bridges,” “Blue,” “It’s Alright” and “Gone, Gone, Gone” document bitter break-ups with unflinching animosity. Several star session players rally in support, but ultimately it’s down to Alvarado wielding his guitar like a weapon and blasting his ex partners in the process.
_________________

Hi Friends,

It always makes me a little sad when summer is just about over, but the good news is I'm ready to go on tour in October. The dates are posted in the tour section of the website for my short European tour. I will be playing Pony Bar in Hamburg Germany, doing radio in The Netherlands, playing The Betsey Trotwood in London, and playing Dublin Castle in Camden. If you live in or near any of those city’s, please come out to the show and say hello! I’d love to meet you and your friends.

The good reviews are still flowing in at a nice pace. You can read below. Also, a Podcast from Germany called Studio 3 with Jan Ranft just played “See You Again” from the new album. Just click the link.

See you in Europe!

Studio 3 Podcast: www.studio3.podspot.de
REVIEW:

Le Cri Du Coyote Magazine (France)
Steven Alvarado - Let It Go
"Gruff folk blues from New York, 'Let It Go' by Steven Alvarado. Ten tracks without unnecessary detours, harsh, a bit like Escovedo. The always brilliant presence of the sublime Marc Ribot is noticeable: his sharpened guitar puts incredible colours to ”Get This Far” or ”It's Alright”. Steven's voice is beautiful without being too demonstrative, just what's needed in order to captivate."

- Le Cri Du Coyote Magazine

CTRL. ALT. COUNTRY Web-Zine
http://www.ctrlaltcountry.be/Pagina1.htm#StevenAlvarado
STEVEN ALVARADO “Let It Go” (Mott St Records)
(3,5****)

Erg sympathieke schijf van de zo’n jaar of zeven geleden in NYC neergestreken singer-songwriter, wiens stembanden het midden lijken te willen houden tussen die van Tom Waits, die van Jon Dee Graham en die van Ben Weaver. Knapen met wie hij verder overigens maar tot op zekere hoogte vergeleken kan worden. Steven Alvarado experimenteert immers minder graag dan Tom Waits, is véél minder Americana dan Jon Dee Graham en mist ook het excentrieke karakter van Ben Weaver. Waarvoor hij dan wél staat? Voor een vakman in hart en nieren, die zich voor zijn indie folk en akoestische pop steeds weer weet te omringen met de beste begeleiders. Zo wist hij zich voor zijn “album about heartbreak” te verzekeren van de goede diensten van drummer Kenny Wollesen, bassist Joe Quigley, pianist Rob Burger, percussionist John-David Hahns en van die van de ondermeer uit de entourage van Tom Waits bekende supergitarist Marc Ribot. En dat resulteerde in een bijzonder warm aandoend geheel, waarop zijn eigen fantastische stem en zijn ook al bijzonder fijne liedjes voortdurend uitstekend tot hun recht komen. Vooral wat tragere songs als “Nobody Knows”, “Reasons” en “Blue” zijn wat ons betreft echte blijvertjes. Maar ook wat meer uptempo spul als het aantrekkelijk rammelende tweetal “Burning Bridges” en “Gone, Gone, Gone”, het loom rockende “Get This Far” of het nadrukkelijk naar de nodige airplay lonkende “It’s For You” mogen er absoluut wezen. Dat soort van deuntjes vormt als het ware een open invitatie om er zo snel mogelijk ook Alvarado’s eerdere platen “Mercy” (1991), “Bleed” (1997), “The Howl Sessions” (2005) en “Howling Live In New York” (2006) eens op na te slaan, al zijn enkele daarvan ondertussen spijtig genoeg dan ook enkel nog als download verkrijgbaar.

(Google Translation)

Very sympathetic drive of the seven or so years ago in NYC neergestreken singer-songwriter, whose vocal cords the middle seem to want to keep between those of Tom Waits, that of Jon Dee Graham and Ben Weaver. Knapen with whom he deficiencies but to a certain extent can be compared. Steven Alvarado experiment is less happy than Tom Waits, is much less than Americana Jon Dee Graham and also misses the eccentric character of Ben Weaver. What does he have? For an expert in heart and kidneys, who for his indie folk and acoustic pop always knows how to surround with the best escorts. If he knew about his "album about heartbreak" to secure the services of drummer Kenny Wollesen, bassist Joe Quigley, pianist Rob Burger, percussionist John-David Hahn and those of the out among the entourage of Tom Waits known supergitarist Marc Ribot. And that resulted in a particularly hot-looking whole, which his own great voice and are also already very fine songs for their right to excellent. Especially what slower songs like "Nobody Knows", "Reasons" and "Blue" are what we are concerned real blijvertjes. But also a bit more uptempo stuff as the two attractive junky "Burning Bridges" and "Gone, Gone, Gone", the loom rocking "Get This Far" or explicitly to the necessary airplay lonkende "It's For You" should absolutely orphans. That kind of tunes, as it were an open invitation to there as quickly as possible Alvarado's previous boards "Mercy" (1991), "Bleed" (1997), "The Howl Sessions" (2005) and "Howling Live In New York "(2006) even after store, although some of them now unfortunately is only available as a download.

☮ ☮ ☮

Hi Friends,

I can now announce some tour dates that are confirmed. I’ll be playing in Hamburg Germany, The Netherlands, and London England. Once again I’ll be traveling solo-acoustic, just the way I like it. Go to the tour section of the website for details.


-Steven

Hi Friends!

I have another song for you from my album release show I did here in New York City at The Living Room for XM Satellite Radio.

Keep checking back for more song posts.

Enjoy!

Gone, Gone, Gone (live)

Steven Alvarado
Let It Go
Mott Street Records 2008
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ four stars There’s an excellent book. “I’ll Take You There: Pop Music and the Urge for Transcendence,” that talks about music that tries to take the listener to a different emotional – almost spiritual – plane. Transcendence in music, the author argues, isn’t necessarily a religious experience: It might just come in the form of a particularly gifted songwriter who can take a moment and make it so universal that it transforms into a truth. Steven Alvarado’s latest effort, “Let It Go,” definitely has its moments of managing to achieve this concept. “Let It Go” managed to pull this particular reviewer in from the very first riff on the opening track “Get This Far” (not an easy task, by the way). How? It was a note-perfect homage reminiscent of Bowie’s iconic opening riff to “John, I’m Only Dancing.” Transcendence in the form of Bowie, you ask? Why not? It certainly worked on Flight of the Concords. But it’s not just Bowie that Alvarado manages to (consciously or unconsciously) channel in this album.

Alvarado’s voice is equal parts Tom Waits and Bruce Cockburn – deep gravel by the way of Leadbelly’s “Goodnight, Irene.” And when you manage to channel Leadbelly, you better believe you’ve achieved transcendence.

-S.R.M.

The Deli Magazine, New Yok

Hi Friends!

I have another song to share with you from the album release show I did here in New York City at The Living Room for XM Satellite Radio.

Keep checking back for more songs to be posted over the next few weeks from that night.

Enjoy!

It’s For You (live)

Hi Friends, got another great review to share with you!


Backed up by a crack team of musicians, including Marc Ribot and Kenny Wollensen, Steven Alvarado returns with his radiant fourth album “Let It Go” (Mott Street). A queer take on roots and Americana music, Alvarado’s gruff but gracious vocals provide the glow in songs such as “It’s For You,” the early Tom Waits-like “Nobody Knows,” the swishing swing of “Burning Bridges,” the urban twang of “Gone, Gone, Gone,” the Springsteen-esque “It’s Alright” and the most overtly gay number on the disc, the glorious “New York,” a track Alvarado dedicated to his best friend, acclaimed gay poet Aaron Smith.

-Gregg Shapiro