I'm a solo bedroom recording artist recording on an 8 track and love all creative song based music.Don't like to be limited by genre,but i'm probarbly acousticelectricpsychedeliclounge-folk-jazzin'pop/rock i guess if its gotta be narrowed down.. I live in a 24/7 fantasy music bubble in a flat in Birmingham UK and like going for long walks in the sunshine making up songs in my head.. when i'm not sitting at the computer surfing and getting red eye' Am an incredibly passionate and sincere dilettante,which sounds like a contradiction in terms i know,but for me it feels true.. THE MUSIC IS THE MESSAGE...THE MUSIC IS THE MESSAGE..THE MUSIC IS THE MESSAGE... --steve ison Reviews for tracks on Sailors On The River CD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In Luv W My Therapist (from IAC) Song Comments The Talent Searcher They are Ison and Aprilcartney, the new amazing songwriting team at Iac. This song drink in the wells and fountains of pop and seem to drink them slowly. Every one that goes sha la la la have heard a lot of 50s and 60s records. When you hear good pop like this, you start to think: oh wow. The song talks about transference between patient and doctor , something quite normal cause the patient begins to idealize the shrink but later they find about it , the truth is the therapist is like anybody else .... ________________________________________ WIZARD X FM Steve knows how to write a GREAT SONG..... ________________________________________ Voices -Outside The Box A unique original tune put together beautifully by two of the most creative writers on IAC ________________________________________ Velvet Goldmine Supa-hooky, poppy experiment at trying to do 70s riff-rock by me from Steve Aprils lyrics about a therapist. ________________________________________ 2008 IAIA Golden Kayak Nominees nominated for Best Alternative Retro and Psychedelic Song ________________________________________ **Minstrels*** Nominated for the 2008 Golden Kayak in alt retro psychedelic. Congratulations... ________________________________________ HUGH'S NEWS It's Election Week, and lots of folks should read this (lol): "How to keep anger from bubbling over" - Link: http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/11/03/hm.anger.management/index.html ________________________________________ Phlegm Phavorites overPhlow Love both of these Steves Here they are together -rockin' good fun. ________________________________________ Freedom Lovers This is a really great tune, with terrific vocals (Steve Ison) and superb lyrics (Steve April) and top notch musicianship by both artists. It is so fun to listen to this energetic and well crafted song . It has a great bridge and buildup back to the main head of the song, and so well produced and engineered too. it kicks in as a rocker from the 70's and the song grabs you right off from the top. Love the harmonies and little vocal shots here and there Steve really lays it all out on this one and gives a solid performance and it is no wonder the song hung around so long at the top of the charts at IAC.....Freedom Lovers ________________________________________ On Account My favorite Ison tune so far. Very retro sound utilizing a Beatlesque backup vocal. Impressive and upbeat! I love it alot. ________________________________________ Monkey68 Collab Station Fun (aren't all therapists fun?) Late Bloomer (from IAC) Song Comments MUSICAL PUPPETS inna GALAXY Hey! I wanna date this girl!...oh, that’s right...she died in a snow-blurry car wreck... All the un-usual musical fare 'blooming' out of this magical song from the dynamic and theatrical songwriting craftsmen April/Ison..or is it... Ison/April?...doesn't matter..they're on the same team here as they draw the listener from a light-hearted intro...instantly into a vaudeville memory of a feisty gal and her untimely death. was she April's lover? April and Ison's clever humor will probably prevent us from ever knowing... but just like 'poetry-in-motion', the 'Late Bloomer' lady, a clandestine love affair..(?), and even this song must come to a musical, story-book end. Not to worry though... we always have the 'play-button' to enjoy them all again! What a wonderful Surprise from partners of Musical Life... here at IAC! ________________________________________ !!! Karnival OF Thrills !!! Hey! I wanna date this girl!...oh, thats right...she died in a snow-blurry car wreck... All the un-usual musical fare 'blooming' out of this magical song from the dynamic and theatrical songwriting craftsmen April/Ison..or is it... Ison/April?...doesn't matter...they're on the same team here as they draw the listener from a light-hearted intro.. instantly into a vaudeville memory of a feisty gal and her untimely death. was she April's lover? April and Ison's clever humor will probably prevent us from ever knowing... but just like 'poetry-in-motion', the 'Late Bloomer' lady, a clandestine love affair..(?), and even this song must come to a musical, story-book end. Not to worry though... we always have the 'play-button' to enjoy them all again! What a wonderful Surprise from partners of Musical Life... here at IAC! ________________________________________ Personal Playlist These guys should make a record together, they've got chemistry. ________________________________________ NATURE ENTER ME! these guys are the backbone of IAC! ________________________________________ Soul Retrieval A perfect add to Soul Retrieval station! ________________________________________ Thank You Steve n' Steve. One of several collaborations (co - labor; to work together) between them. This is one of the many wonders of the web... that an artist from California and one from the UK can work together to produce cool stuff. ________________________________________ PHIFTY PHLEGM PHAVORITES Love this one. Had to take it off PHLEGM PHAVORITES and put it in me TOP 50, ARRGGGHH, matey. BUt why am I talkin' all pirate-eee and sh*t? urrrrrr... Great tune. ________________________________________ digitalWaves1 a cool song fromSteve Tellin’ Stories (from IAC) Song Comments Acoustic Meltdown Great lyrics and excellent, bare percussion and strings. ________________________________________ Musings Great melody. Beautiful song. -M- ________________________________________ The Talent Searcher The second song by Ison and Aprilcartney is a sweet ballad in the southern vein but very musical and a tambourine doing the rythm track.This is the kind of song you listen when you think your nirvana is coming, peaceful, melodic and full of musical sense and sensitivity. Tellin Stories, beautiful. Get ready for new stuff by the IsonApriles band. ________________________________________ Bare Thread III ... come on over to the thread anytime and you'll find we're "Tell'in Stories" ... ________________________________________ Got Music? 60's influence all over this song. It is short but catchy and cool (awr). Yeah. I immediately saw the image of John Sebastian in my mind as soon as the vocal kicked in. It just doesn't get more 60s than that (thh). ________________________________________ Voices -Outside The Box Very unusual(Thas what I like). Very cool. ________________________________________ Greatist Fantastical Original Hits The fantastical elements are all over this song by to fantastical IAC writers ________________________________________ ~LIFE AFTER LIFE~ The 2 Steve's are at it again with a quirky, melodic song about those who love and dwell and tell their yarns and stories to spice up a vacant life...for all those who lend an ear and in this one, Ison somehow comes up with that gypsy vibe string thing that give the whimsical lyrics of April a storybook melody ride they well deserve. Nice work by the Collabro bro's! ________________________________________ Hugo's Thank You Station Damn. I'll confess to harboring more than a little jealousy when confronting the skill with which Messrs. April and Ison collaborate...the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful results takes the sting out though...kudos, Gents, keep it rockin'... ________________________________________ Affinity ties Sweet and refreshing ballad... ________________________________________ Blue Umbrella (from IAC) Song Comments sex on the beach keep em coming ________________________________________ Bob Dylan Tribute the two Steves do Bob and Tom Pettynice beat guys! ________________________________________ Yetis are happy but bigfoot............. The yettis wear platform shoes , don´t ask me why , they are yettis , don´t you know ? The think blue umbrellas are aestethic in the museum but better for the rain . The bigfoot are building a Casino for cats in Las Vegas and the prefer the showers under blue umbrellas of Venetian Gondolas. ________________________________________ Sailors On The River (from IAC) The lost Beatles song!! I like this song! Very upbeat! The song is very happy-go-lucky! I like the mood! The production is nice! I love the arrangement of the song! Very beatle like in using different sounds! Very creative. Keeps me interested all through out!! This song reminds me of the Beatles!!! Great lyrics! This song brings back so much memories!! I love it! Overall, this has got to be one of my most favorite tracks on GarageBand! So Beatles like! Very creative and fun to listen to!!! Excellent job!! Reviewed by: rexwillwin from Sylmar, California (garageband review) Gypsy Annie (IAC) Song Comments {{{{ THE FEEDING TUBE }}}} You are caught in the air by Gypsy Annie, timeless street artist who catches the eye and mind of Ison/April who, with their music, transport you to the summer street scene and even bedroom scene in...Mexio? You guess as the Spanish flavored horns, congas, guitar and cello send your mind spinning among the street hawkers and oblivious merchants as Annie draws you into her arms! ________________________________________ ~LIFE AFTER LIFE~ You are caught in the air by Gypsy Annie, timeless street artist who catches the eye and mind of Ison/April who, with their music, transport you to the summer street scene and even bedroom scene in...Mexio? You guess as the Spanish flavored horns, congas, guitar and cello send your mind spinning among the street hawkers and oblivious merchants as Annie draws you into her arms! ________________________________________ CREATIVE VIBE very creative, w brass & airy choir... ________________________________________ Indie RUUULES!!! fun summer night, live trumpet player... ________________________________________ BjustB - Sounds that move me Gypsydelically cool ________________________________________ =WILD FRONTIERS= The heat of the crowd propelled me onward...inna daze I heard the voice of the street-corner performer and paused, the swirl of her dress as she danced captivated me as her voice danced upon the broken noise of the scene, and then she walked away with the silent stranger in the fedora hat and dark sunglasses. I never saw her again...often I return to that heartless street corner...listening for her voice...hoping to catch even a glimpse of Gypsy Annie but am greeted only by the lonely and broken street life...in the night...in the day...that Summer;..oh, that Summer! ________________________________________ LEGENDARY MUSIC Who says a leopard never changes its spots!! In the world of music, everything is possible!! I've just tossed my cowboy hat high into the air and grabbed my sombrero and old maracas that have been hanging for ages on the back of the door. I've just been swept away, south of the border down Mexico way into this musical fiesta fantasy. The streets are teeming with joyous partiers clapping and dancing to and fro following dozens of Spanish horn players and colorful Flamenco guitarists. Flags and multi-colored ribbons are flying everywhere. This is The Brass Ring making love to The Tijuana Brass and the Gypsy Kings, and Coney Island and Circus Circus dressed and wrapped up as Disneyland, all at the same time!! What a day!! Even the puffy white clouds look for all the world like little mountains of Whipped Cream. What a delight!! Old Rascal thinks I've just lost my mind, but he's running around in circles here in the cabin and seems to be enjoyng this just as much as I am. The imagery in these lyrics is just as amazing and "sweet" as the memories portrayed here of being "found" by the mysteriously enchanting Gypsy Annie. Great lead and wonderfully effective background vocals, awesome musicianship and beautiful arrangement. What else can I say!! Steve, I wandered all up and down your playlist here several times, listening and looking inside my mind for the song that I wanted to transport to Legendary Music, and there was just no way I was going to leave without taking "Gypsy Annie" home with me. Folks, if you don't get lifted up and carried away with this great song, you might just have a problem. As for me, my day is now complete. With all the dancing around the cabin, Rascal and me are going to be calling it an early night. We've just been treated to some great music. Thank you Steve, both of you!! Welcome to Legendary Music. ________________________________________ ORGANIC SOUNDS Intricate recording so many levels here! ________________________________________ International IAC Artists ENGLAND /USA Golden Kayak winner 2007 ________________________________________ GYPSY Spanish,Mexican carnival ambient Gypsy.. ________________________________________ Thank You I went to Steve's page to find a song to add and just couldn't decide. There are so many wonderful tunes there that, if you haven't heard him, I urge you to go and have a terrific half hour cruise. If you have heard him, you know. This tune is indicative of Steve's mastery of style. ________________________________________ CMM RECORDS ON LINE Best One Yet ________________________________________ Hope Street Reminds me of a few dollars more the film. The old Italian cowboy movies with Clint Eastwood and Lee van Cleef ________________________________________ Forest of Azure Reminds me of a few dollars more the film. The old Italian cowboy movies with Clint Eastwood and Lee van Cleef ________________________________________ The Retrotones and others nice ________________________________________ Gyroscope Alternative whoa ________________________________________ KURT KURTLEY's KORNER OF THE WORLD Damn fine, sweet song....a gem! ________________________________________ ISONtopes Seductive motion. A different traveling spin on Steve's usual haunts while still maintaining that magical element that is unique to only Steve. He has a quality in his voice that cannot be replicated as well, and yet you might think you've heard his songs somewhere before due to the classic nature of his songwriting. He is an evolution without disregarding those timeless qualities that one either possesses or not. He got it in droves and still dares to be himself. A brilliant artist for certain. ________________________________________ 2008 IAIA Golden Kayak Nominees nominated for Best Alternative Retro and Psychedelic Song ________________________________________ Music with meaning A song that paints a shimmering picture in your mind and takes you to far away places...When you listen, you are actually part of the song... ________________________________________ AOR Overflow Great Mariachi feel ... The song has great atmosphere. The only thing I would have added to create more of a narrative feel would be to mix in some "crowd noises" to give it more a live feel especially during the "claps/dance" scene. ________________________________________ eclectica Just wonderful! ________________________________________ Step By Step (IAC) Song Comments ISONtopes The perfect ice cream cone that never melts until you put your tongue on it. ________________________________________ K-RTRO Another fantastic offering from the illustrious grand master of IAC! Just listen to that sublime arrangement. Sweet changes and a wonderfully delivered vocal. ________________________________________ K-BEST Just wonderful. Everything about this song is so well done. Absolutely Sublime. ________________________________________ Music with meaning Refreshingly mood lifting...Just wonderful!! ________________________________________ Shoe Gazer True Love ~ The eternal muse within each of us. ________________________________________ TOO COOL !!! Yeah ... did i say Yeah ? ... I meant YEAH !!! ... "Step By Step" is Way TOO COOL !!! ________________________________________ CREATIVE VIBE sunshine-y 60s vibe w harmonies... ________________________________________ We Sang In The Summer beatlesesque in places w string section, supple sonics... ________________________________________ The Good Stuff, Too!!! Great arrangement. Great melody. And it all appears effortless. How does this man do it all by himself? ________________________________________ All The Best Steve is a miracle of a songsmith, This delightfully arranged and instrumented piece has been the highlight of my day! -}-@ ________________________________________ HACKS!! "Steve has a real magic touch Step By Step is a little miracle of a song, the instrumentation is so lush, the vocal so catchy, the harmonies are totally groovy. I'm often reminded of David Bowie, I think it's the novelty of the changes and the delightful instrumentation. This is one of those songs that sounds familiar not because it's derivative, but because it's tapping into that rarest of veins where only the most deft songwriters are able to dig for gems!"....From ALL THE BEST ________________________________________ Adult Alternative Asylum Great Song by Steve Ison, a talented artist from over the Pond. This song displays excellent songwriting and musicianship. Love the arrangement... ________________________________________ Greatest Clicks Let the sun shine in! ________________________________________