Post by jptheprofessor on Feb 11, 2008 1:47:06 GMT -5
STEVE SUMMERHILL - ONE MAN BAND (no label) Over the years, Steve Summerhill has become one of west-central Pennsylvania's most popular solo entertainers with his one-man acoustical music parties. His live debut CD, 1999's On Tap, captured the energy and excitement of a charged performance at a Duncansville restaurant, when the synergy between performer and audience elevated the festive and frenzied atmosphere. Lightning strikes a second time on Summerhill's second live CD, One Man Band, capturing more happy moments during a September, 2006 performance at Jethro's Restaurant in Altoona. Armed with his acoustic guitar and MIDI backdrops, Steve brings the party over the disc's dozen tracks, enticing hoots, hollers and singalongs from the receptive and eager audience as he performs his selection of rock, pop and country favorites. The album starts by fading in during the waning moments of a rendition of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline," with Steve's sung passage of "Good times never seemed so good" answered with crowd chants of "So good! So Good!" This immediately transitions into a version of Crosby Stills & Nash's "Southern Cross," and the party is on. Steve's MIDI sets the appropriate tropical backdrop for the Jimmy Buffett double-shot of "Five O'Clock Somewhere" and "One Particular Harbour;" before he and his audience go on a Garth Brooks-inspired "Beer Run." The party proceeds with performances of Blake Shelton's "Some Beach," the Foundations' 60's chestnut "Build Me Up Buttercup," singalong favorites such as "No Beer in Heaven" and "Send Me to Glory," Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music," Los Lonely Boys' "Heaven," David Allan Coe's "You Never Even Call Me By My Name" and more. Summerhill's performance is constantly enthusiastic and upbeat, and his audience responds in kind with frequent singalongs, gang shouts, cheers and whistles of approval. While some purists might question his use of MIDI, Steve does a competent job of programming backdrops; resulting in digital orchestration and vocal harmonizing that surrounds and sets the moods of his song selections. The overall sound is bright and clear, and puts the listener smack-dab in the middle of the party. Summerhill's editing and blending of this highlight footage is mostly seamless; done so without sacrificing the overall mood, pace and energy of the evening. One Man Band is an audio recap of a special evening and lively party; but it also captures in a nutshell what Steve Summerhill and his show are all about: pleasing the audience. To quote his liner notes, "My name is on the cover, but it's you that really make the show." (The CD can be obtained by visiting Steve Summerhill's website, www.stevesummerhill.com.)