Thanks to a fulfilling career as park administrator in Ohio, music has been more a hobby to Steve Madewell than a vocation. He modestly refers to it as a ”recreational outlet.”
There must be countless artists of whom this is true and one of the advantages of Bandcamp and other streaming sites is that their talents now get to be appreciated by more than just a small circle of family and friends. These contemporary folk tunes certainly deserve to find a wider audience.
Madewell’s songs have a purity and authenticity that is clear from the get go. With a resonant voice that brings to mind (ear?) Gordon Lightfoot, Townes Van Zandt and Martin Simpson, his personal songs, inspired by the landscape, life and love possess a genuine sense of intimacy.
He wrote all eleven tunes on this album and plays acoustic guitar. Producer Bill Lestock plays all other instruments, excluding banjo which is credited to Mark Olitsky.
Madewell says ”I love the magic that happens when I connect with people.” I certainly empathize with Fulltime Job Being Me; a retirement song which I imagine was written in reply to constant enquiries about how he intended to spend his time after giving up his full day job.
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The title track is also highly relatable as he eloquently sings of the compromises one often has to make for the sake of a career: “some choices you make, some are made for you”.
According to his online bio, Madewell has maintained an active performance schedule although I’m guessing this has been reduced in recent years due to the pandemic. As restrictions are eased it is be hoped that he can resume this activity because this is the kind of precious social music that demands to be heard in a live setting.
Steve Madewell on Bandcamp
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