Ringmaster General Reviews

Our Review By Chris Wik - Without a doubt one of Stewart’s best compositions ever

“The Ringmaster General” by Dave Stewart

 

Following the release of his widely praised album “The Blackbird Diaries” from last year, Dave Stewart now returns with “The Ringmaster General”, an album featuring 13 brand new songs.  Like “The Blackbird Diaries” the new album was written and recorded during a five day session at Blackbird Studios in Nashville. Again, the album has been recorded and mixed by John McBride and with many of the same musicians including guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, bassist Michael Rhodes, Steel guitarist Dan Dugmore and Mike Rojas on piano. On the album we also find new interesting collaborations with Diane Birch, Alison Krauss, Jessie Baylin and guitarist extraordinaire Orianthi who won “Breakthrough Guitarist of the Year” 2010 by Guitar International Magazine. And Stewart’s SuperHeavy partner Joss Stone also makes an excellent cameo on the record! In other words, Stewart has had a solid and reliable team around him and it becomes obvious that he is contended with his new “musician friends” and at ease in his new musical milieu.

 

Let me start by saying I think “The Ringmaster General” is a great album indeed, even though the overall impression is, this is a more muted and reflective set than its predecessor. I think the new output has a new tone to it; there is something that is very familiar, but fundamentally different at the same time. But I can’t really put my finger on it. Of course we find a few couple of songs in a more traditional rock style, “straightforward rockers”, like the opening track “I Got Love” (featuring Joss Stone on vocals) and the high-spirited “Story of Success”. But quite early on it becomes clear Stewart is striving to create different atmospheres throughout the album; the record keeps changing color in front of your eyes! Stewart has given each track its own distinct character, but thankfully without creating an incoherent mish mash of an album. Stewart’s songwriting is undoubtedly on fire but it is a reflective and at times rather introspective album Stewart delivers.  It is also worth mentioning that he is also sounding more unlike anyone than ever before.  Stewart’s perfectly imperfect voice fits the new material really well. Just listen to the raw power of his voice when he sings these lines in the largely stripped-down and guitar based “Girl in a Catsuit”:

 

“I wish you knew how much I love you baby, but it never comes out like I wanted to. It’s like my tongue got disconnected from my brain and my words gets stuck like glue”

 

However, the best track on the album, also the title track, “The Ringmaster General”, is without a doubt one of Stewart’s best compositions ever. Listening to it is like peeling the layers of an onion, the deeper you venture, the more you are likely to find. And in the end suddenly, in true Stewart style, it all goes mad for a bit.  And that is one thing I have always loved with Stewart’s songwriting; the way the songs come packed with little moments of unpredictability. And lyrically he is as skilled as ever! I also get the impression every word is wrinkled with experience. In the song “The Ringmaster General” Stewart very effectively uses circus/cabaret- imagery and he has even thrown in a few jokes for good measure!  By the way, the circus/cabaret imagery has been used by Stewart before. For example, listen to the excellent song “Day of the Dead” by Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys from 1991!

 

Another standout track on “The Ringmaster General” is the highly personal and haunting piano based “A different man now” with a stunningly beautiful verse melody and some great lyrics about a former relationship. “How does it feel to be so empty inside”, Stewart asks to thrilling effect and then concludes with: “Now you know what it’s like”.  I think Stewart has never sung better than he does on this particular track; the naked confessional style of his voice suits the theme of the song perfectly! Further, “A different man now” is arguable his best relationship song since “Chelsea Lovers” from his masterpiece album “Greetings From the Gutter” from 1994. 

 

“Slow Motion Addict” is yet another brilliant song on the album. Stewart’s deep earthy vocals add to the almost hypnotic feel of this subtle groovy track. You just want it to never stop!

 

Other highlights on the album are of course the duets.  And the duets have become somewhat of a Dave Stewart trademark. Just think of last year’s already classic duets with Stevie Nicks (“Cheaper Than Free) and Martina McBride (All Messed Up). “Just Another Fall”, is a melodic duet with American singer-songwriter Diane Birch and their voices blend so well together it is hard to believe it is over thirty years age difference between the two. The beautiful “Drowning in the Blues” with bluegrass-country singer and fiddler Alison Krauss is also a real treat as is the heartfelt “God Only Knows You Know” together with Nashville based singer-songwriter Jessie Baylin.

 

The last song on the album, “A New Song for Nashville”, is a celebration of Nashville and all the people Stewart has met there, but also at the same time, a kind of chronicle of Stewart’s life so far:

“Here’s a new song for Nashville, it’s kind of country blues, cause I love the way I’m feeling here, it kind of goes with my tattoos.  I can’t say that its been trouble free, I made the show but I nearly drowned. I’ve been killed in so many ways, even shot right in the back, overdosed on alcohol, amphetamine and smack. I’ve slept in the city doorway and in the back of a limousine. But somehow I’m still alive today, I can’t believe the things I’ve seen. Now I’m here, here with, a new song for Nashville”

 

“A New Song for Nashville” is definitely one of the album’s very best songs. The uplifting melody with the charming country twang, the lyrical playfulness and the nice backing vocals makes this song a real gem. And again, this piece is only one of many wonderful moments on offer on “The Ringmaster General”. I have said it before, but Stewart is at his most effective when he keeps it simple. Just listen to “Jack Of All Trades” from his 1998 album “Sly Fi” and you will understand what I mean! Simple but never simplistic! Stewart’s approach to writing and performing songs is very refreshing and the new album is no exception.  Long live “The Ringmaster General”! 

USA Today - He's a terrific songwriter, guitarist and producer

So what if the former Eurythmics mastermind is a bit vocally challenged? He’s a terrific songwriter, guitarist and producer and surrounds himself with great players and vocalists such as Alison Krauss, Joss Stone, Jessie Baylin and Diane Birch. Stewart reveals just enough of the love-perplexed man behind the curtain to keep us entranced. — Jerry Shriver

Source: USA Today

MXDWN - The Greatest Show On Earth

Dave Stewart has played in numerous bands, penned a Broadway musical and produced and written songs for some of the biggest names in music. His experience shines on his latest solo project, The Ringmaster General. A follow up to 2011’s similarly star-studded The Blackbird Diaries, this album features Joss Stone, Orianthi, Jesse Baylin, Alison Krauss and Diane Birch. For an extra dose of country, power couple John and Martina McBride welcomed Stewart and friends to record in their Nashville studio. The product: a record bursting with passion, personality and variety.

 

That “bursting” is quite literal. “I Got Love,” the opening track, explodes like a human cannonball. Joss Stone belts and coos about the throes of heartbreak, with the help of a small chorus sounding like a southern Baptist choir. Just in case the crashing cymbals, groovy guitar and vocal chops weren’t impressive enough, the song includes a saxophone solo that appears naturally, but somehow adds an element of surprise. From there, the ringmaster general has his audience hooked.

 

“Girl In A Catsuit” exemplifies the Ringling Brothers aspect of the album. Guitar goddess Orianthi shreds nonstop, inspiring the controlled chaos of caged motorcycle daredevils. But soul-bearing piano ballad “A Different Man Now” features the general singing alone, contemplating time and personal evolution. Songs like this one remind listeners that, in the end, this record carries his name.

 

When it comes to country rock albums, range of song style is the key ingredient to avoid tiresome twang. Stewart, no virgin to the world of production, masterfully covered his bases. Few records have been more aptly titled; Stewart performs the role of ringmaster on wild tracks, encouraging vocal runs and instrumental improvising, but he poses as a composed, weathered general in others. As the album closes, Dave Stewart, both ringmaster and general, takes a powerful bow.

Source: MXDWN

Rocktimes - The emotionally complex numbers get under your skin

NB Translated from German using Google Translate – For Original piece, please see Source at the bottom of this review.

 

Before Dave Stewart, along with Annie Lennox with the band Eurythmics for some great hits such as “Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)” or “Sisters Are Doin ‘It For Themselves” (a duet with Aretha Franklin) caused a sensation in the upper class of Pop saw, he played for some time with The Tourists. The success curve of Eurythmics was the late eighties clearly down and eventually led to the dissolution of the group. Stewart knelt deeper into the field of activity as a producer or guest musician or composer, and worked in various roles for bands / artists such as Bob Dylan, Marianne Faithfull, Nina Hagen, Hothouse Flowers, Mick Jagger, Tom Petty and the Ramones. In no particular order, he published with more or less success, some albums.

 

The recording sessions for “The Blackbird Diaries”, the predecessor of “The Ring Master General” must have at Dave Stewart probably leave a lasting impression. From the liner notes: “After making The Blackbird Diaries album at Blackbird Studios in Nashville with John McBride at the controls I knew I had to go back to create more chaos on my new album The Ringmaster General,” and with a slight change in the line-up. some duet partners found the eleven songs on the way to Stewart and Mike Bradford (including Anita Baker, Butthole Surfers, Beth Hart,Kula Shaker, The radicales, Stevie Nicks) produced excellent plate.

 

The eleven tracks it would be all grouped together under the generic term roots music. His compositions (one written with Jessie Baylin) are as diverse as the design of the cover picture. Upon closer inspection, one finds next to a space capsule and a refinery and colorful flowers that sprout from the scanty soil. In “The Ring Master General” to rock, pop, country, blues and a little give (hard to believe) even the Psychedelic the handle in his hand.This diversity could well go in my pants, but the over-arching umbrella happens to be a Dave Stewart and is really a masterpiece in every genre. The already mentioned Psychedelic is the basis for the number “Girl In A Catsuit”. Here vehement circling guitars, coupled with rock riffs as alleged grip through the orbit.

 

Keyboards à la Pink Floyd in the background make for rising sound. But ultimately it is the six-string, the twist one’s head from all directions.

 

Following a dramatic end, the contrast with the arrangement of the next number not be clearer if one is then confronted directly with “Slow Motion Addict No. 2”. Loosely grooving, with great soul voices of chorus backup and impressive singing Stewart this track is exactly the opposite emotion. The guitars give a tryst in Laid-back atmosphere and with these two compositions definitely a multiple repetition is called for.

 

From my perspective, the CD starts but directly with a violent highlight. “I Got Love”, a duet with Joss Stone and early alienated Stewart’s voice is a great rocker with a great slide guitar. Oh man, there flows at the beginning tidy much current from the battery plates. Surprise: On top of Bobby Keys is also presented with a fat sax solo to speak, and finally Mike Rojas skin in the piano keys. Hammer!

 

Whether … with other duet partners (Jessie Baylin, Diane Birch, Alison Krauss) or without Dave Stewart’s “The Ring Master General” is a destination location with wonderful songs that are rooted in different genres. Consequently, this record is probably not for the music fan, with his ears open for only one style channel. This board has no lotus effect. On the contrary … The emotionally-complex numbers hang in the clothes, get under your skin. With this album, it can reasonably access.

Source: Rocktimes

Its Only Rock and Roll - Stewart creates a potent and distinctive musical gumbo

Featuring Joss Stone, Alison Krauss, Diane Birch and more. On “The Ringmaster General”, Stewart creates a potent and distinctive musical gumbo mixing in rock, blues, country, rhythm & blues and psychedelia. His songs are alternately moving and wry; they are filled with twists and turns – both musical and lyrical–that constantly surprise with repeated listens.

 

Stewart’s voice has an alluringly mysterious quality that guides the listener through these stories. The album was recorded and mixed by John McBride at his famed Blackbird Studio in Nashville. It features 13 new songs – including striking duets with Alison Krauss, Diane Birch and Joss Stone as well as a duet sung with and co-written by Jessie Baylin.

 

The blistering guitar skills of Orianthi are featured as well. As with his recent album, The Blackbird Diaries, Stewart is backed by some of the finest musicians in Nashville including: guitarist Tom Bukovac, drummer Chad Cromwell, bassist Michael Rhodes, steel guitarist Dan Dugmore and Mike Rojas on piano.

Source: Its only Rock and Roll

FATEA - The Ringmaster General retains a songwriter's heartbeat

After the resurrected rocker he showcased on last year’s well-received The Blackbird Diaries, it seems the former Tourist/Eurythmic is happy to continue to explore rootsier territory. Also made in Nashville, here he ropes in a series of distinctive singers with which to duet – ranging from the by-numbers caterwauling of Joss Stone on the rocky I Got Love to the more restrained and infinitely more soulful country ramble that follows it: Just Another Fall captures the lower register fragility of Stewart’s relatively unadorned voice as his singing partner Diane Birch is given room to soar.

 

It’s a mature album that gives vent to Stewart’s rampant muso tendencies, but unlike much of his solo work it retains a songwriter’s heartbeat. The piano ballad A Different Man Now has echoes of early 70s Elton John, while Alison Krauss helps decorate Drowning in the Blues with a grace and passion missing from lesser talents. Somewhat less graceful is the blues-shred Girl in a Catsuit, recorded with Michael Jackson axe-woman Orianthi, but the no-holds-barred rocker (with slightly surreal, almost Dylan-esque lyrics) sounds right at home.

 

The Ringmaster General is a thoroughly becoming addition to Stewart’s musical canon – there are many that would do well to take note of how he’s done it.

 

Nick Churchill

Source: FATEA

WNCT - Stewart Impresses Yet Again

Good morning, everybody.  I’ve got one more brand new review to share with you before I get back into the entertainment news.  It’s been a little while.  I’ve got some catching up to do.  Those of you who read my damily ramblings will recall that last year, I had the pleasure of reviewing what became on one of my favorite albums of 2012 in Dave Stewart’s “The Blackbird Diaries.”  This morning, I have the pleasure of reviewing the followup to that album. 

 

And just as “The Blackbird Diaries” made my list of 2011’s best albums, so does his brand new upcoming album, “The Ringmaster General” make my list of 2012’s best albums.  It’s due in stores tuesday, September 4th.  It’s a little more country heavy, with some blues and psychedelia mixed in.  But that’s not bad.  That’s because as with every album that he’s ever released, he has remade his sound yet again, to big success.  Anyone who has enjoyed Stewart’s past albums will also enjoy this one what with its different sound from his previous releases.  So enough of my rambling aimlessly.  I offer in the last of today’s new reviews, one of 2012’s best albums, Dave Stewart’s “The Ringmaster General.”

 

Dave Stewart still has it.  Every time that the former Eurythmics member has released a new album, he has reinvented himself to great success.  His new album, “The Ringmaster General” is no exception.  While his most recent album, “The Blackbird Diaries” (2011) had a touch of country in it, this new album seems more focused on country, even going so far as to include a song titled, ‘A New Song For Nashville.’  Of course, country isn’t the only style that Stewart covers on this release.  The album opens with the semi-psychedelic radio ready rock song, ‘I Got Love.’  He pairs up with Joss Stone for this song.  The pairing is no coincidence as the pair recently toured together.  And it makes for a fun start to the album.  They sing on this song, “I got love/but I feel so bad.”  The lyrics don’t seem like they’d go with the jamming, up-tempo music.  But all together, it works very well.  The addition of the sax part on this song adds an extra little flare, too.

 

‘I Got Love’ is followed up with a more mellow song in ‘Just Another Fall.’  Stewart is joined on this song by singer/songwriter Diane Burch.  And just as [Joss] Stone’s vocals were a welcome addition to ‘I Got Love’, Birch’s vocals make ‘Just Another Fall’ work just as well.  This song comes off lyrically as one centered on the topic of relationships as the pair sings to one another, “I could hardly believe it when you said you had an open mind/I was so excited/I was in love/I was so blind/cracks appeared in the ice/ but they were pretty/just like Venice lace/I could see what was gonna happen/as the lines/they appeared on your face.” 

 

“The Ringmaster General” has its share of fun up-tempo songs.  But it also has more deeply emotional songs such as his duet with country star Alison Krauss on ‘Drowning in the Blues.’  Krauss’ voice is as beautiful and powerful as ever even in its gentility.  Stewart expertly matches her take on the song, too.  The song’s music is a perfect emotional match for the pair’s sound.  It catches every nuance of the song, all while adding its own extra emotion, making it one of the album’s best songs.  It would be no surprise if this song becomes one of the album’s many singles.

 

‘Drowning in The Blues’, ‘Just Another Fall’ and ‘I Got Love’ are just a few of the songs that make Dave Stewart’s “The Ringmaster General” another great album.  The whole album is loaded with songs that every listener will find to be their own favorite.  

Source: WNCT