By Museically Inclined Sheryl Aronson and Mikey Adam Cohen
Last Saturday morning, October 1st Steve Oliver was one of the guests along with Jessy J. on Smooth Saturdays with Aysha on LA Talk Radio. The singer/songwriter released his 10th album, Pictures and Frames, and with this CD, Oliver touted his vocals on all the tracks. He’s never done this before. The artist remarked to Aysha, “I just released my 10th solo album which came out in May. It’s all vocals. I’ve always been a singer/songwriter. I wanted to utilize my vocals as an instrument along with my guitar playing.”
The single, “Why” off of Pictures and Frames just went to #3 on the instrumental charts. When listening to the lyrics of the song, Oliver muses over the question…Why? And how we all want to know…”Always asking Why? Hey, I want to know, Hey I don’t know…So many questions day after day…” The song rocks gently back and forth pondering this very important reflection on life. With his golden southern California good looks, Steve Oliver radiates positivity and a profound passion for his craft of producing music.
The Hollywood 360, Museically Inclined sat down with Steve Oliver and found out “Why” he made his newest CD, Pictures and Frames.
How did you come up with the idea of using your voice to sing along with your guitar so they intermix in a great soulful combo?
Steve Oliver: I’ve always been a singer first and foremost and I love the sound of the voice being part of the guitar. The voice is its own kind of instrument. I think of it like a sax, but it’s my voice. I sing along with the parts then I play the guitar. I have a new album out and it’s all vocals. It’s called “Pictures and Frames” and we’re #3 on the charts with the new single.
“Pictures and Frames”… nice title. Talk about your new CD.
Steve Oliver: I’m a singer/songwriter which is what I really love doing. I love writing lyrics too. After 10 albums, I decided to do an all vocal album. I did a best of last year so I thought it was a perfect time to put it out.
Are you writing ballads? Is it funky? Or is it a combination?
Steve Oliver: Yes. It has a little of everything. It has a lot of ballads, love songs, it has lyrics of great depth. The new single is called, ‘Why?” It’s about why everything is going on, like negativity, but putting in a positive twist. That’s the new single that’s #3 on the charts.
How did you produce your new CD?
Steve Oliver: I got to record it at Capitol Records in Hollywood. I got to use an all- star band. Vinnie Colaiuta, who has played with Sting and is on thousands of records, and Lee Sklar, who is a well-known bass player and has played with Carly Simon. He’s on two thousand recordings. I had them play live together in Studio B at Capitol. We did five songs in one day. Then I got to use Frank Sinatra’s microphone in Studio B at Capitol, so I got a little of fairy dust of Frank, Capitol Records, and the beautiful feeling it brings to the music there. This album is probably the best recorded one I’ve done. It’s stunning. The quality of sound is really cool.
It was a dream of mine to record there. I have my own studio that I engineer, mix and do the technical stuff in my home, but this was a very special experience being there.
Talk about some of your jazz influences because you do this sort of scatting with the guitar.
Steve Oliver: Right. Al Jarreau… I love Al and his rhythmic phrases. (demonstrates with a bopping rhythmic phrase) and he puts the percussion thing in his vocals, and I do the same thing. Of course I also love George Benson, who is a great friend of mine. And he’s a fan. He comes to see my shows. He sits in the front row (Steve laughs) and it’s a bit intimidating. George of course does scatting, and is an amazing vocalist and great guitar player. Then there is Lee Ritenour. I grew up with listening to Lee Ritenour, Larry Carlton, and Pat Metheny.
Are you going out on tour with your group?
Steve Oliver: This past May I was in London for three sold out shows in the Soho District. I performed at the Pizza Express. I’ve been to Albuquerque, the Bethesda Jazz and Blues Festival and just got back from Vegas. I will be at Spaghettini the end of this month, October. I’m have an artist residency there at the end of each month.
What do you love most about what you do?
Steve Oliver: Everything. Writing songs, I love that. Now we get to record. Love that. Who’s going to play on the album? I love putting that together. Live playing. Everything has its own time, and I love every aspect of it. Sound checks. Traveling. Getting on the planes. Each thing has its own fun process about it. It’s all a part of one thing. It’s all the part of music. I love it all. I am an addict. I am a music freak. It’s 24/7 with me.
Is there anything you haven’t done in your career that you are really wanting to do?
Steve Oliver: Oh. That’s a big question. There’s so many. I just did the Capitol Records recording. That was a “Wow” moment. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing. Just being positive. Writing positive music to help humanity is my goal.
And you do. There’s a very up-beat sound to all your music.
Steve Oliver: I want to be optimistic. I am a very optimistic person and it translates into the music and that’s kind of my message …great love… love of the music.
My favorite song on Pictures and Frames is the delectable romantic ballad, “Waltz To You.” Steve Oliver cooks a scrumptious recipe of love and romance with his yummy soulful vocals.
