Steve Berman and the Ketones – Social Work (Album Review)

Today’s review features Steve Berman and the Ketones new album “Social Work.”

“He is a 78-year-old singer and songwriter living in Portland, Oregon. He has been writing and performing his original songs for close to 60 years. The culmination of his experiences, as well as being a father, grandfather, and in a 50-year relationship, gives him a definite edge over people who simply haven’t lived life this fruitfully. His material resonates with a more mature sensibility.” This is from his first MRW review, which you can read here.

At age 79 now, this is Steve’s second full-length album. It contains songs written over the last 15 months since his first album, “Mortality Play.”

Steve’s talented new band, The Ketones, includes Cory Gehrich (producer, lead guitar), Matthew Diloreto (keyboards), Alivia Nelson (vocals), Calla Mapel (vocals), and horn players Joel Ford and Heidi Aispuro. Alivia sings lead on “Portland Rain”, “Stars Fall”, and “Perfect Email”. Calla sings lead on “Hearts and Flowers”. Steve sings lead on all other tracks. Additional musicians contribute to specific tracks. This new album was recorded at Sisterly Silence Studios in Portland.

Steve and the band say they “are aware that this music does not fit easily into any existing categories or current trends. We hope you like it.”

I hope so too.

So let’s have a listen …

Well, first off, this is a Double-Album, or a Double-CD anyway. 2 Discs. Disc 1 contains 7 songs. Disc 2 contains 8 songs.

Disc 1
1 Amie – starts with a strumming acoustic guitar. Eventually, drums, bass, and lead guitar join in. The vocals come in, but need to be louder in the mix. Loving the reference to one of my heroes, Sylvia Plath. The vocals sound more like “talk-singing” rather than real singing. The drums could be louder in the mix. The lead guitar playing on the track is good, simple, but effective. The track seems well-produced, overall. Fade out for the ending.

2 Song for Marc – starts with a piano riff. The piano fades away, replaced by a strummed acoustic guitar. More of Steve’s talk-singing style in the vocals. The piano eventually joins back in. The backing vocals, as in the last song, also match Steve’s talk-singing style. The lyrics are strong, nice. This is a mellow number with music that carries the tune while fading into the background. Steve uses the F-word repeatedly in this song to make his point – “some hurts never go away.” The electric guitar solos are simple, but effective. I think the instrumental music in this track could be louder. The song fades out over the same piano solo riff that kicked off the song.

3 The Zoo – starts with a steady rhythm guitar riff, joined by bass and drums, followed by an electric guitar lead, then a sax lead. The vocals, in the same talk-singing style, kick in. Loving the horns in this piece. Makes it sound a little like Chicago, other than the talk-singing. The chorus on this song is “I’m in love with you”, repeated. At least the lyrics have interesting object and place references, which I appreciate.

4 Portland Rain – starts with a lovely mellow piano vamp. Female vocalist – Alivia Nelson – on this song. It’s a nice change of pace. Interestingly, she also sort of talk-sings through the vocals, matching Steve’s vocal style. There’s a violin in this piece, which is refreshing, matching the piano’s changes.

5 Look Around You – starts with electric guitar strumming chords, bass, and drums, then followed by a lead guitar solo. Steve continues his talk-singing. Loving the piano in the background of this piece. There’s a bridge where everything drops out but the rhythm guitar and bass, which is a nice touch. Lovely piano and electric guitar solo in the middle. The vocals, more than anything else, are the main reason I’m not connecting with these songs. The instrumental performances and production seems fine; just would like to hear the songs with a different singer – one that actually sings the songs.

6 Stars Fall – starts with a strummed acoustic guitar. Followed by a nice sax solo, elegant. Female singer on this one – Alivia Nelson. I’m liking her voice, but not the talk-singing style she adopts. The bassline in this song is epic. The instrument performances and production are really nice on this tune. Steve’s song lyrics are really thought-provoking, which is a nice addition. This is maybe my favorite song on the album so far. Very mellow piece.

7 World’s Best Wife – starts with an acoustic guitar strumming against a simple piano riff. Steve is talk-singing this one. The lyrics are provocative. Eventually, the drums and full band kick in after the first verse. The chord structure on this song is fairly simple and could use some more unique changes thrown in to keep the song interesting, seems to mainly be a two-chord vamp in both the verses and the chorus. A female vocalist joins in during the middle bridge. The instrumental swells help keep this song interesting, but the song structure itself is a little too simplistic, imo.

Disc 2
1 The Hill – starts with a steady one-chord vamp on acoustic guitar. When the vocals kick in, more chords are added to keep the song interesting. Loving the bass on this one, sounds epic. A song about The Beatles. The song picks up more instruments and momentum in the chorus/bridge. Loving the strings or keyboard in the middle of this one. But as quickly as I say that, it drops out, and the song reverts back to acoustic guitar and bass. A song about a relationship, filled with lots of Beatles song-title references. Really cool, Beatles-esque bridge with a complete string section. A mention of Zeppelin. “You went disco, and I went punk.” Nice lyrics in this song. A very loud guitar solo finishes off the song (too loud?).

2 The Spotlight – starts with an acoustic guitar strum and soon Steve’s talk-singing vocals begin. The drums are nicely done in this song. This is like an older-style folk song. Very lovely tune, with impactful lyrics. A waltz about how the spotlight never seems to be quite enough to satisfy your soul.

3 Hearts and Flowers – starts with a nice horn riff. Female vocalist – Calla Mapel – singing on this one. She has a really lovely voice. There is a steady strumming electric guitar underneath the acoustic and drums. She drops the F-word. Be careful. “Talking ‘bout hearts and flowers, got no use for those.”

4 Grandchild Song – starts with a piano riff. Steve enters with his talk-singing style. Piano is the only instrument until a cello joins in. Lovely backing vocals, could be louder in the mix. Cello or violin solo in the bridge. This piece has a lovely mellow sound throughout. Steve’s vocal-style works well on this song.

5 Going to See Courtney – starts with drums, bass, and an electric guitar solo over a steady electric guitar rhythm riff. “All those bitches think I should pay support.” Not a very appealing line to women. Courtney is his therapist. So a song about his therapist. “I’ve got a gun, I don’t take shit from anyone.” The background vocals are sort of campy. Nice electric guitar solo in the middle break. “$20 co-pay, what a steal.” Guitar solo to end the song.

6 Six Days in London – A finger-picked acoustic guitar kicks off this song. “I walk the streets of London all alone.” Nice change to minor. Nice horn riff – like the English royals announcement is a nice touch in a song about London. “We saw The Zombies play a show.” A song about a special 6-day romantic encounter, love lost, and a fond remembrance of the experience.

7 The Perfect Email – Horns kick this song off. A female vocalist – Alivia Nelson – singing on this one. This song definitely reminds me of Chicago, the band, because of all the horns. A song about typing out emails, “trying to find the words to make you come back home to me.” The horn solos are lovely in this song. I think the lead vocals could be louder in the mix.

8 On Christmas Day – starts off with a lovely piano riff, eventually joined by an acoustic guitar. Steve’s talk-singing in this one also. A song about a man who is all alone for Christmas, talking about past regrets of losing his family. Loving the “call” from his daughter during the middle break – sung by one of the female vocalists. Some nice bass lines in this one. An orchestral break with a string section in the middle of the song is a powerful touch.

The instrumental, background vocalist, and production on this album are all excellent. My only real issue with this double-album is Steve’s talk-singing style tends to undermine the melody function of his otherwise clever songwriting. I’m not a big fan of his voice, but I do like his lyric-writing.

SCORE/Good to Excellent:  Steve Berman and the Ketones deliver a very well played and produced album, “Social Work.” My only issue with the album is that Steve’s talk-singing style tends to undermine the melody function of his otherwise clever lyrics. But otherwise, a well put together album. Solid, but a new lead singer would help bring the songs to the glory they deserve. Much love, Beth

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