Steve Forbert is a true American musical treasure, a fact underscored by his newest album, Daylight Savings Time, on Blue Rose Music. Like all his albums of original songs, it’s suffused with what venerated rock journalist Robert Christgau discerned as his “omniverously observant” songwriting, marked by Steve’s gift for finding the deeper meaning and magic within the spectrum of everyday moments, as well as his abundant melodic and poet- ic enchantment.
As Forbert approaches the milestone of his 70th birthday, Daylight Savings Time contemplates and celebrates the proverbial ‘extra hour of day- light’ that comes with the time change.
Daylight Savings Time is Forbert’s third album helmed by producer/engineer Steve Greenwell. Its basic tracks were cut old-school style at Greenwell’s studio in Asbury, NJ, where Steve now resides, with drummer Aaron Comess of the Spin Doctors and keyboard player Rob Clores, who has played with Jesse Malin, The Black Crowes, Tom Jones and others. Modern digital recording technology helped round out the mix, with the disc’s supple bass lines added long distance by Byron House, whose many credits include such notables as Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Johnny Cash, Al Green, The Dixie Chicks and Robert Plant’s Band of Joy. Gurf Morlix, whose guitar and production gifts were elemental in launching Lucinda Williams into the spotlight tracked his note-perfect six-string contributions at his home studio just outside Austin, Texas.
Venerable Milwaukee concert promoter, Peter Jest, perhaps best encapsulated Forbert’s creative presence in praising how his “ability to craft songs that capture the essence of the human spirit is nothing short of remarkable. His voice is a beacon of authenticity in a world saturated with noise.”
Today Glide is excited to offer an exclusive premiere of the video for the standout track “Dixie Miles.” Mixing footage of a studio performance with video of life on the road, the song is a quietly rocking work of Americana-folk that balances Forbert’s wisened and personal reflections, easygoing vocals, and a soulful soundtrack that includes a nice touch of organ. Indeed, this feels like the kind of song that could accompany a long drive.
Forbert describes the inspiration behind the song:
I lived in Nashville for over 30 years and have family in Meridian, Mississippi. The I-65 travel described in “Dixie Miles” is a trip I know well. This is my most personal song on the new release. Its last verse is certainly the most optimistic thought on the ten song Daylight Savings Time album: “I’ve got lots of years left to run still…” Of course this isn’t something I can be sure of, but…
WATCH:
2 Responses
Another beautiful piece of music and verse. I love hearing you play that acoustic guitar. Onward, my friend. #dixiemiles #southernkisses ❌⭕️
Beautiful.