Uncategorized

  • Reply A WordPress Commenter June 7, 2020 at 7:36 pm

    Hi, this is a comment.
    To get started with moderating, editing, and deleting comments, please visit the Comments screen in the dashboard.
    Commenter avatars come from Gravatar.

  • Reply SteveKristi June 12, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    “The musicianship is impeccable, with a crystalline sound and a sumptuousness that is unexpected from just a
    handful of players. . . . the songs, are dense with imagery and impassioned descriptions, and recollections of
    harrowing experiences. . . ” Tom Petersen, Victory Review, December 2006

  • Reply SteveKristi June 12, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Hi Kristi,

    I don’t quite know how your CD got to me — I do a contemporary folk show called “Woody’s Children”
    on WFUV in New York — but I think some of the songs are really quite extraordinary. I’ve been using
    the summer to work way ahead, so I won’t get to them until late in the fall, but I’m planning to have
    three tracks (the max allowed under our stupid streaming restrictions) on November 7, with another
    the following week. Before I say something I shouldn’t, though, could you tell me whether you and
    Steve are a couple off stage as well as on?

    Cheers and thanks… Bob Sherman

  • Reply SteveKristi June 12, 2020 at 5:41 pm

    “I think some of the songs are really quite extraordinary . . . I hate to promise airplay before I’ve actually recorded the programs —
    I often bring in too much music and wind up having to cut stuff — but in your your case, the songs will stay for sure.” — Bob Sherman, “Woody’s Children”

  • Reply SteveKristi June 12, 2020 at 5:43 pm

    KRiSTi NEBEL : Detour
    Encore une découverte tardive, puisque, s”il
    s”agit du premier CD solo de Kristi, elle en a
    déjà neuf à son actif en duo avec son époux
    Steve et deux avec leurs groupes, les Madrones
    et le Filucy Hootchie Kootchie. Imprégnée
    depuis longtemps de western swing, elle s”est
    enfi n décidée à s”offrir un détour par ce style musical. Il débute
    par une version mi-western swing mi-hillbilly bop du grand classique
    de Space Cooley, qui a donné son titre au CD, sur lequel
    on trouve quelques autres exemples du même genre, comme
    Stay all night, ainsi que I”m an old cowhand, ce dernier plus
    sur le versant western, et Swingin” in Tucson ou Six packs to
    go, qui sont tous deux nantis d”un rythme plus rock”n”roll. Pour
    agrémenter le tout, Kristi y ajoute un peu de ballade cowboy, de
    honky tonk, une reprise de l!une de mes valses préférées, Waltz
    across Texas, une version guillerette, avec un accordéon qui lui
    donne un parfum mex, de Just because, et trois compositions
    de Steve, deux ballades western folk mélodieuses et Bats in the
    belfry, morceau Americana à la Wise Guys. (BB)
    Icebird, PO Box 5764 Tacoma WA 98415-0764, http://www.sknebel.com

  • Reply SteveKristi June 12, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    There are songs that stand out from most others — songs that speak to the archetypal within us, songs that are written and sung from the deepest parts of the
    human soul, songs that cross nations and cultures and transcend the times. The song “Outback of Bohemia” is one of these…

    The theme, while familiar, is oh-so-achingly, poignantly, unaddressed in our time…our freedom and liberty are under assault in unprecedented ways using
    unprecedented technologies.

    For me the haunting symbol of “a hurricane of darkness” draws on our intuited understanding of the maelstrom of evil sweeping through our land (and so many others).

    Yet the words, symbols, and passion of Steve Nebel’s lyrics are carried into your heart on the winds of the aural resonance of Kristi Nebel’s unforgettable voice,
    evoking the deep compassion within all of us and stoking the embers of liberty and justice, and encouraging the millions of individual ‘candles’ maintaining the
    light against the relentless encroachment of the darkness.

    D Sheresh June 2, 2014

  • Reply David Michael June 15, 2020 at 3:51 pm

    “I enjoyed your CD which I think is, perhaps your best and most mature one to
    date…I had a few thoughts on it: First, I have a slogan for you: COUNTRY
    MUSIC WITH A CONSCIENCE! (Think there’s a market for it?) Steve, your voice
    has become much more listenable as years go by, compelling, I would say.
    There’s real heart in it. It’s over all, a little on the sad side … which
    is fine, I think. You have something to say. . . ” David Michael

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:30 pm

    With the release of ‘Tandem’ I found an opportunity to interview Steve and Kristi Nebel. The album from Icebird Records, Steve’s label, contains many, but by no means all of my favorite Nebel compositions. ‘Wish You Were Here Waltz’ is a lovely beginning in a generous collection of original songs. This is a pleasant, lyrical love note, like a warm letter going out to someone who is missed, “…how I wish you were here.” I have been at performances where these songs were sung with such intensity that I got those chills. The guitar line is simple and responding to the melody line. ‘Great Grandfather’ begins with the guitar strains of Elizabeth Cotton’s ‘Freight Train’. The strength of his story song is personal connection to relatives. Steve’s grandfather and great grandfather were both railroad men with his great grandfather assigned to the roundhouse in Everett at the turn of the century. Grandfather had the awful task of fishing the other’s engine and body from the Stillaguamish River where it had left the bridge. One of Steve’s first projects and bands was with the Madrones, with Kristi and J.W. (John) Sparrow. Steve and Kristi had traveled to an old railroad hotel in Canada so close to the tracks; they made recordings of trains out the hotel window. Those recordings wound up between audio tracks of an album of train songs Thunder On The Highline. ‘Jesse’ starts with the classic harmony mix between Steve and Kristi. ‘Jesse’ is based on a mostly true story of two local brothers who decided to seek work overseas. Jesse went to work for an electrical contractor in Afghanistan and was promptly kidnapped by the Taliban. But these Taliban had an addiction to watching the X files and one evening while they watched, he simply slipped away until he found respite at an American army base. There is a serious beginning, but not without humor. To get there Steve’s writing takes you through poverty, unemployment, loss of house and finally estrangement. ‘Papa’ begins with folk guitar and Steve’s voice, “Papa always said he’s take it with him…those times weren’t easy, but he did alright.” The conflict between father and son is clear but forgiving. Father and son had experienced war and that shared suffering made the relationship somehow acceptable to the son. Steve and Kristi have long been supporters of causes like United for Peace for Pierce County. As a Vietnam Veteran, Steve is quiet but steadfast about his convictions. ‘Alternate Universe’ has some clever rhymes and timing. I especially like the rhyme between “fit” and “make sense of it,” (emphasis on ‘of it’). “I’ll be returning to carbon and gas, nobody gets out of here alive.” ‘County Durham’ is Nebel’s ode to North East England, “When I dream, I dream of Durham…” This is a sing-able and memorable fable of sea captain long at sea. ‘Angels of the Road’ has held me captive since I first heard it. The recording is good, but the intensity of this song sung live puts it over the top. “It’s only fate, something that you know. When the world has given up on you there’s a place where you can go…” Kristi’s beautiful voice is always powerful on this haunting poem. This tribute and thanks to friends who rescued them from a night of unavailable hotel rooms near London. Steve and Kristi were stranded twice on the Alcan highway and that isolation is in there with everything else. The Nebels began their odyssey of trips to England in 2000 when Mike Freeman suggested they look into all the clubs in the UK (Mike Freeman and Tania Opland play frequently in Europe). ‘Would You Hold My Hand’ has a wonderful hook, like many of these songs it will stick to your ribs. Steve’s guitar work is simple, perhaps understated and melodic. Kristi plays electric bass mostly, but in the early days when the boys in the band bought an upright bass, she was the only one who could figure it out. With a background in family singing, barbershop and experience in the special travel choir from the University of Idaho her voice stands out. ‘Whistlin’ in the Rain’ is a song of unemployment, dashed hopes “…two doors down from hell.” ‘If Peace Will Come’ is strong statement from two people who have marched and demonstrated against all wars everywhere. ‘Big Floppy Hats’ is a warm approach to conflict—who could be mad at someone who wears a goofy hat and oversize pants. “Everyone would wear a big floppy hat….”
    Steve Nebel feels he was a rank amateur at the beginning and wrote at least 100 songs during college. They’ve paid dues which Steve sees as an effective means to learn the business and get your chops. There are nine CDs available from their website and all have some notable reviews. Next on my wish list is Bohemian Outback (2002). Also intriguing: are Caught In The Balance (1981), Taking Off (1993), Out Of The Tangled Years (1994), Birds Of Winter (1998), Nobody’s Hero (2003), Big Red Smile (2004), Sum of 2 Parts (2005), and Raven Speaks (2008).
    Still more albums are out there, even if not officially released, like Kristi’s country swing “Detour” album. A Baltimore radio show of the same name uses her version of this old chestnut for it’s theme. Steve’s dream was always to be a songwriter on the road and now with 7 trips to the UK under their belt they epitomize that working couple who write and sing about it too. Other well-known Northwest musicians who have been a part of their bands and lives are David Michael and Thaddeus Spae. I’m able to catch them now and then at the Antique Sandwich Company in Tacoma. These two work in tandem and not always on the main highway, but if you can find yourself at any of their shows you won’t forget it.
    ________________________________________
    [J.W. McClure]
    Music Reviews

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:32 pm

    “Folk festivals feed off of people like Steve and Kristi Nebel. Not only does their music reflect the ethics and values of that time long past which is the core of the Folk Life movements, but the Nebels have that ability to update without destroying the essence of what that music means to those simpler times. It is good music, pure and simple, and stands on its own. It is made to be played on small stages and between crafts exhibits at Folk Life Festivals and in living rooms with small groups of friends looking on. It is offspring of The Weavers and The Brothers Four and The Kingston Trio and their predecessors. But it is all Steve and Kristi Nebel.
    With the help of folk inmate David Michael on Celtic and Germania Harps, the Nebels lay out smooth renditions of what folk music used to be and evidently still can be. With guitar, bass and harp and the occasional drum or harmonica, they take you through thirteen originals which feed on the feel of the past without sounding dated. For instance, Kristi’s unadorned delivery on Papa Comin’ Home paints a stark portrait of a man hardened by circumstances. Steve remembers Viet Nam on Initiation Rites, a reminder of the importance that the mind-boggling experience of Viet Nam had on many of us. A former wife enters a bedroom, razor in hand, and confronts her ex- and his new wife and slashes pillows in Clean Cut’s analogy of the failures of the institution of marriage—at least, some of them (it is, indeed, a cruel thing to leave behind a wife with few skills while taking your marketable self to greener pastures).
    The best, though, is Nebel’s look at a world in which people are forced to wear big floppy hats and big floppy shoes and a big red nose because “who could be mean in a world like that”. Big Floppy Hats separates the reality from the unrealities we are forced to deal with each day. Escapism, maybe, but maybe with a bit more of it, the world wouldn’t be going to hell in a handbasket.
    That is not Nebel’s message, by the way. His world is one of life as life and, for him, life is pretty good. He has hope, as I suppose does Kristi and David Michael, and maybe that is another reason Folk Life comes to mind when their music plays. They are what they are and that is what counts, but they could be better (or so the occasional underlying twist of lyrics implies), as could we all. It is the core of every folk gathering, festivals included, I have attended. They nailed it.”A review written for the Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange
    by Frank Gutch Jr.
    (frank.gutch.jr@gmail.com)

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    “I’ve listened to the album quite a bit now, and I think it’s the best thing
    you’ve ever put out. After years of assiduous study and practice, you have
    become Jim Fosso. That’s a joke, but no joke, you have become an impressive
    producer and engineer, both in your choices of arrangement and material and in
    your use of outside musicians to enhance your tracks.

    Predictably, I like the fast ones best. Harbor Island is a wonderful kickoff
    piece — Orville’s slide playing buoys the tune and the vocals are sharp and
    accurate. All of your multi-voice tracks are beautifully balanced, and the
    arangements work well. Harbor Island also nicely introduces the ambiguous
    love-it-hate-it tone that you have in a number of tracks — Lilian’s World,
    Superman’s Dilemma, Moses, Alberta, even Bohemia, all have contradictions of
    some sort as their central themes. Come to think of it, so do Love and
    Washington. Ambiguous Boy.

    At first I wasn’t sure about Superman — I like the Filucies version. But it’s
    a rock-solid track and stays in the faux-serious country vein without so much
    as cracking a wink.

    Kristi kicks butt on Fishermen — she’s got a post-modern yodel in there that
    almost sounds Alanis, but her tone is all hers. She’s also effective on
    Bohemia. Next time give her more tracks.

    Alberta is so good I wanna do it myself. The writing is sharp as a Gillette
    Twinedge. “Until the sky’s as dark as one of old King George’s jails” — yes!

    Another great line, from Moses — “The red man’s life is over./it’s just your
    life that’s not over yet.” (apologies if I get these wrong, I’m not writing a
    review here…)

    I Guess It’s Love and Washington both have a kind of John Denver feeling to
    them — but that’s not a bad thing. Denver was a pureblood folkie when you took
    off his cowboy hat, and the traditional feel of his melodies works best in
    simple campfire arrangements like yours.

    Isn’t Orville a wonder? He stitches the entire album together, almost the way
    he did on Bill Imhof’s project. But your own playing is great too — accurate
    and relaxed and right in the pocket stylistically.

    Mostly, Bohemian Outback just sounds great — smooth, clean and righteous. Good
    work!” Thaddeus Spae

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:38 pm

    Steve & Kristi Nebel
    Birds of Winter
    “Folky in a folk-rock sort of way, this duo delivers some beautiful mellow
    tracks that call to mind early Jackson Browne. The melodies have that
    quality of sounding familiar without being copied directly. There are some
    more up-tempo numbers, but I’m drawn to the slower tunes with the more
    reflective lyrics. The slower, minor key songs also feature tasteful
    playing from friends of the duo, and shows off how far a song can go with a
    few well played instruments. I can recommend this album to anyone with an
    ear for folk music as it bloomed into the folk-rock-singer-songwriter genre
    as it did in the early seventies. Not to imply that this disc’s strength
    lies only in “retro-ness”, it’s just the best source I can think of to
    compare it to to give you an idea of what kind of gentle gems reside on
    this album.” [MEDIUM: CD. CONTACT: Steve Nebel – Kristi Nebel, Icebird Record
    Co., PO Box 5764, Tacoma, WA 98415, USA; PHONE: 253-573-1504; EMAIL:
    –Reviewed by
    Kevin Slick 6/2/99.Gajoob Magazine

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Steve and Kristi Nebel
    “Raven Speaks”

    Singers, songwriters, musicians, and peace activists Steve and Kristi Nebel (pronounced “knee-bull”) certainly make beautiful music together. The casual listener might generalize their work as folk, or easy listening, but their music is so much more than that. The couple’s creative artistry shines so brightly on this unique album, and past releases that perhaps “American music for all people” better suits the breadth of their repertoire as their socially conscious songs embrace all of humanity with compassion and warmth.
    “Raven Speaks” offers so much variety you will be listening to it for a good long time. It includes 18 tracks altogether, making it a great value in which to invest your music money.
    Steve Nebel wrote all but one song on the album, the Irish traditional anti-war and anti-recruiting song, “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”, perhaps more widely known as “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”. “Beer, Beautiful Beer” he co-wrote with Toby Hanson, who plays accordion on this song, and “Down At The Neighborhood”, a happy little song that swings with Latin flavor and poignant lyrics that paint a picture of street life on the block. “Down at the neighborhood/you got your corner deli/sellin’ booze to the winos/ who drink it in the alleyway/. . . you got your little children/You got your African Americans/They got Latinos too/They’ve got Vietnamese kids/You got your native Americans/Down at the neighborhood/They got white kids too!”
    Kristi Nebel is a fantastic singer, with a strong voice that is both clear and clean. Steve Nebel has a rich and genteel voice that brings to mind such great minstrels as Burl Ives, and Roger Whittaker. Best of all, the listener can understand every word of the poetic lyrics that they sing, when combined with the music, give the album its’ heft.
    The couple takes turns on lead vocals, which offers nice variety. The provide backup vocals for each other as well. Sometimes they sing in harmony, as in the song “All”. Cellist John Simpson plays beautifully on this track, his instrument blending nicely with Kristi Nebel’s bass.
    Numerous other musicians contributed to “Raven Speaks”, as well – Mike Friel, and Denali Williams drums; Joe Debenedictis, piano; David Rea, lead guitar; Orville Johnson, dobro, electric guitar; Country Dave Harmonson, pedal steel guitar; Mike Saunders, bodhran; and Mark Graham, Gerry Sperry, and J.W. Sparrow, harmonica.
    David Michael plays harp on “The Crow.” Steve Nebel sings of the “Wily raven,” so often misunderstood: “Some say the crow is cruel and dirty/some observe that he is free/. . . sometimes the crow reminds me of me.”
    Duane Niatum offers spoken word for the seventh track, his poem titled “Raven,” about the demise of traditional Native American ways of life as progress takes over in the advance of steel and concrete . . . the fire cooled to cold.” Her reads his works “Raven Dance,” and “The Dice Changer” later on the CD.
    Based in Tacoma, the Nebels travel the world performing. Reviewed by Matt Nagle – The Tacoma Weekly – November 30th, 2008.

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:40 pm

    Singer/Songwriter
    Steve & Kristi Nebel: Tandem
    Self-produced
    Released: 2010
    http://www.sknebel.com

    Veteran Puget Sound folk duo Steve & Kristi Nebel’s newest CD is a satisfying collection of Steve’s original songs, sung with passion and clarity by both Kristi and Steve. Their tenth duo recording is meant to be a reflection of their live performances. Thus, they stood in the studio and sang side by side, resulting in a special energy and enjoyment that we can hear.

    The song list flows like a concert set. Titles include new ones as well as crowd favorites, such as “Big Floppy Hat,” about a world where everyone knows how to get along. Backed by Steve’s solid fingerpicking or with the strong drive of strumming, the songs are accompanied simply by guitar and Kristi’s electric bass.

    The duo trades off lead vocals and harmonies. Kristi’s clear voice rings out like a bell on “Jesse,” a snapshot of the personal hardship of a family with the dad in Afghanistan. Sometimes her voice is reminiscent of Judy Collins, like on “Angels of the Road,” about the uncertainty of life as a traveling minstrel. In “Alternate Universe,” she sounds like a cross between Collins and Buffy Ste. Marie. Kristi is blessed with a beautiful resonance and depth of timbre.

    Steve does a moving performance on “Papa,” a Prine-esque song about understanding his father. His impassioned lead vocal softens to gentleness, moving from smooth warmth to just the right touch of rasp with the lyrics: “Papa was a healer, I was never sure just how he got to be. The war had torn his mind up. It took going through a war myself to see that it isn’t easy, but we do alright.” Another line straight from the heart is, “The little boy who dogged him all around his garden thought there was no one else on earth he’d rather be.”

    Song topics cover romance, family, trains, roads, seafaring and social commentary on peace, poverty and the American Dream. Steve’s melodies are creative yet familiar – they rise and fall, underscoring the details of his stories. His choruses are perfect for harmonies on “Whistlin’ in the Rain” and “Durham County” (“When I dream, I dream of Durham, that’s a county where I long to be… I hear the piper’s calling. They all sing, ‘come you home to me.’”) Steve stands against the injustices of war, sweatshop labor, the divide between rich and poor, and global warming in “If Peace Will Come,” asking, “Will the rich man come to see the injustices we see so plain? Or will his arrogant stand bring us all to naught? Must the earth perish underneath the weight of all he’s got?”

    In Tandem, the Nebels strike a nice balance between the comfort of playing live and the attention to detail that marks a studio project. This album feels like an old friend, like music shared around the circle in the livingroom by folks who’ve done it for years.

    Heidi Muller

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:42 pm

    Victory Music March 2010

    Kristi Nebel has great folk voice and delivers ‘Angels of the Road’ with power. It’s true that some people thrive on the musical road, some do it out of necessity, and some probably can’t imagine another way of doing things. ‘Down at the Neighborhood’ is a fun, song about the juxtaposition of religious trappings “Washing cars for Jesus..” with the mixture of winos. In this case Jesus, to a gentle calypso beat, loses big in the crap game-maybe not the same Jesus you were thinking of. My favorite is ‘All’ “Whatever it gets, you’ll get through.” The harmonies are wonderful on this, a memorable song. No matter that Steve follows the common practice of confusing crows and ravens (Okay Ravens are in the crow family), the point is these birds are hated at times, taken for granted, but survivors (and also revered in Alaska Native and American Indian culture) who will probably scavenge our very demise. ‘The Last Man Speaks’ allows that revered Raven to speak in an anthem for the potential loss of the environment, “…brought down the sun with the use of your oil.” Between some songs the narrator, Duane Niatum, recites his poems with Raven and lost earth themes. ‘Broken Arrow’ is a slow country beat with Kristi singing what would be recognized in any state or honky tonk of the union as a look back at a relationship best ended one way or another “…may I never see your lyin’ face again..” Good ol’ Country Dave Harmonson on pedal steel. This CD features some wonderful side guys: Orville Johnson, Mike Saunders, David Michael to name a few. Steve’s voice is worn but worthy on ‘Let them Knock you Down’. Steve’s strength is making clear lyrics, especially in ‘Joe and Jarhead’, not only anti-war but about the effects of war on an old soldier. The whole effort is meaningful, well produced, sometimes amusing. Look for this dedicated, local duo somewhere along the road (before the Raven gets you). [J.W. McClure]

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:44 pm

    Kristi & Steve:

    Thanks for the free listen! Great songs, & you guys are sounding wonderful. Solid musicianship! Who’s playing dobro on “California” & “Eurovision” (do i hear one on “Flashing Red LIghts too)?

    Very thoughtful sings; important messages. Going sideways down a long dirt road. I’ve felt that way sometimes. Don’t worry: you will see Summer One More Time!

    “Dark Days”: Powerful ! (But revolution doesn’t necessarily mean death. The better we’re organized, the less violence there’ll be.)

    “Wayfaring Stranger”: I love the way you do that one!

    Bring copies to the next VfP meeting so i can buy 2 of ’em. Dave Zink

  • Reply SteveKristi June 15, 2020 at 5:45 pm

    Love the new CD. You two sound so good and the songwriting is spot on. Thanks for sharing your talents. Sara St. John

  • Reply SteveKristi June 17, 2020 at 11:00 pm

    I listened to your CDs while cleaning house today. On the Raven Speaks CD my favorite song is All;
    I love the lyrics (touching and a little sad), the melody, and everything else about it.
    My next favorites are Angels of the Road & Broken Arrow – also great lyrics and melody, and I have always favored
    The Crow. I really like the way the Raven Speaks is produced – the instrumentation, the rhythm, and the way that you
    sing it (I like your voice when it is a little rough).

    I really like the CD, and thought your would like to know.

    E

  • Reply SteveKristi June 17, 2020 at 11:08 pm

    The song, “Fisherman Hardly Ever Sleeps” was written in Dutch Harbor Alaska in winter, 1988. In the rough waters of the Bering Sea, as fisherman cannot sleep, as the sea bounces the occupants of a fishing boat around a good deal. Themes of the sea, personal vision and well-drawn characters run throughout this recording. The Nebel’s voices offset each other very well, taking turns at the lead; and while performing most of the instrumental chores themselves, Stevve and Kristi have fashioned a deep and well-rounded selection of songs that make a strong statement of inner-strength. Recalls, t times, Jimmy Buffett, or Stephen Stills. Gajoob Magazine

  • Reply SteveKristi June 17, 2020 at 11:40 pm

    Victory Review, November 1990

    For years the Nebels have travelled and played in Alaska, sometimes as a duo, moving between acoustic and electric formats. This album reflects real situations and encounters they have made on the many years of music adventure from small towns, to big cities, from looking back from Washington, to the fishing industry, the Northern Lights, the people and events. This is a fairly well-produced album moving in and out form acoustic to electric. Most albums on the Alaska experience have been folksy, where this gets more of a contemporary folk and country production. I am attracted to “The Fisherman Hardly Ever Sleeps”, with the ever looking over your shoulder feel, and “Kodiak Fisherman”, with its’ proud direct reflection of the hardships. One of the best songs is “Change” but it needed less push on the vocals and backup; I have heard this in prson done more convincingly. Kristi has a marvelous vocal approach for “On Fishermen”, with a woman’s view of the man going out on the boats. The album is most successful when the vocals are out front and not pushed. Some rally top tunes here. (Chris Lunn)

  • Reply SteveKristi June 17, 2020 at 11:51 pm

    Kristi and Steve Neel, in collaboration with J.W. Sparrow have used their own recordings of the snorting sounds of the Canadian Pacific Railroad as a starting point for their fourth release, a collection of songs about trains. In many ways Thunder on the Highline is a logical move since the previous Nebel release, Taking Off, which dealt mostly with fishing and the sea in the Northwest region. In some respects train songs are the equivalent of sea shanties for rail-riding landlubbers. Rather than rely on all the old familiar tunes, the Madrones have written a new batch of songs. There are several standards, such as an electrified version of “Wabash Cannonball”, as well as a beautiful, understated instrumental version of “Frieght Train” with trains sounds interspersed throughout. The Madrones also do a song about the heroic “Cowboy Fireman” and an evocative instrumental called “Silverado and San Antoine”. The song that stuck with me long fter hearing it is a haunting original called “Trains of Thought”. Paul E Comeau, Nova Scotia, Canada

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 12:00 am

    Caught in the Balance
    A husband and wife team whose voices express simple thoughts and emotions. Various styles like folk, country, ragtime and rock are touched up on in a very straightforward sort of way. “Darling” has some great clarinet interplay which makes it stand out from the rest of these very nice tunes. Sometimes Steve Nebel, who writes all of the songs here, strikes out into the political arena, addressing his concerns for nature and the like; but for the most part, these are simple, homespun songs, personal, and not just a little joyful. A very nice, unassuming experience. Gajoob Magazine

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 12:04 am

    Steve and Kristi Nebel
    Caught in the Balance

    “Beautiful, simply beautiful. From the guitar twangs and lovely melody of “Rainbow Eyes”, to the folky sadness of “Little Sister”, to the political statements of the slightly rocky “Fat Cat”, to the ’50s cklarinet filled satirical “Darling” – I love this music. “ – Louise Dickinson, editor, Lemon Music, Australia

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 2:32 am

    Key Peninsula News

    Longbranch gets its own song and dance:
    Steve and Kristi Nebel, Peninsula residents and owners of
    Icebird Record Company have released Longbranch, the Album. The songs were written by Arnie “Birdman of Longbranch” and Red, “The Pie Lady” Phillips. Tapes are available at the Longbranch Mercantile, and the Home Feed and Grocery Store. If you want to sing along, here is the first verse of “The Longbranch Shuffle”; “Bob Met Sue at the Improvement Club/They caught a bad case of true love/Now Bob has a peg leg, Sue has ruffles/Together they do the Longbranch Shuffle” Ann Phillips gives the directions for the Longbranch Shuffle as follows: step 1: facing your partner down, up, knees together; step 2; down, up knees apart; step 3; repeat steps 1 and 2. “No need to move your feet says Ms. Phillips, “just make sureyour knees don’t meet.” Red adds, “this dance can be done in three-quarter time and is then the “Longbranch Waltz”. Another number called “When You’re in Longranch You’re Not Far From Home” features a musical saw. Peninsula frogs, seagulls, and cows also sing back-up on some selections.

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 2:37 am

    Dirty Linen, Baltimore, MD

    The Filucy Hootchie Kootchie Band is a five-piece group from Longbranch, WA. The mix a precarious array of styles including traditional bluegrass, music from the Celtic lands, and skiffle. A sense of humor can be heard on “Dead Man’s Chest” and in the fact that the tape begins and ends with the group holding a press conference with barnyard animals. Home proud songs and the able accordion playing of Ingeborg Rodriguez make this a fine and above all else, fun cassette.

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 2:55 am

    Dirty Linen 10/2/94
    Steve and Kristi Nebel have been active in the DIY network for several years now. Previous releases have been decidedly folk that not only delves into consciousness sort of themes, but possesses a unique and fun take on life. It’s unmistakable to the listener that the Nebels and their several cohorts really have a good time making their music. The Nebels are also one of the few folk bands I’ve seen to make any real pursuit into the underground cassette network by getting reviewed in publications that normally cater to the wild and wacky world of home recording artists and aloof experimentalists; and also participating in various tape compilations. This CD shows a change in the Nebel’s musical style, incorporating overdriven guitars (not grunge like), new wave synths and beats and song structures to match. It all took me by surprise; and I liked it. Steve and Kristi are still very much themselves. Their homespun personalities shine through and never allow this “new wave” to take over what is an extremely likeable collection of songs filled with real life.

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 3:06 am

    Victory Review February, 1995

    Nebel: Out of the Tangled Years
    Nebel is the well-known regional duo Steve & Kristi Nebel. This fun, wild & crazy CD is truly representative of their live shows and admirably showcases their diabolical sense of humor. None of their usual sensitive acoustic views of ‘salt of the earth’ livelihoods are present on this project. Be forewarned!!!!! This is definitely not (even remotely) an acoustic folk project. “Listening to Music with the vacuum Cleaner On” is the obvious “single” with a Neil Young meets Devo meets Blondie ambiance. “Life is Fatal” is like David Byrne fronting the Cars. Both songs are rich with black humor. “I Stay at Home All Day” & “Sorority Girls” follow suit. An exception is the beautifully sensitive romantic title ballad. This is a worthy cover tune for others. “Desperation” sounds like Bruce Springsteen with industrial techno backup. (The E-mail St. Band?) There is a lot of clever satirical lyric writing present here and the over-the-top pop sounds capture some of that innocent and guilty fun that we remember from our early adolescence. The Nebel’s singing and production have never been better. With all of their volunteer efforts and participation in the acoustic/folk community in the past, their latest, albeit very electronic release still deserves notice here. Recommended to Victory Readers with closet MIDI inclinations (James Tartas)

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 4:04 am

    “Folker Das Musicmagazin” July-August 1998

    “Classic folksongs about love, nature, and harmonious co-existence of humanity presented by Steve & Kristi Nebel in their CD Birds of Winter. Carefully selected instrumentation with bas, rhythm guitar, and just enough songs supplemented by keyboards, drums, piano, and harp.”

  • Reply SteveKristi June 18, 2020 at 4:11 am

    “How did this hard working local group have time to record a CD? Birds of Winter is the best of Steve and Kristi to date. Mostly about birds, or with birds in the titles or in the lyrics, or leaving images of birds in your head, or simply sung like a bird, this flock of 15 songs is endearing and sometimes surprising. All songs are sung by Steve & Kristi backed by their signature guitar (Steve) and bass (Kristi). A few other locals join the brood: David Rea, Mike Nelson, Jeff Tassin, Joe DeBenedictis, Rick Ruskin, David Michael, Andy Rebsamen, and Robbie Morshed all lend a hand – or two – to make this recording a pleasure to the ear. From “Musharoom”, an impression of a Pike Place marketer, to the reminiscences of a grandmothers “A Long, Long 100 Years”, the album soars from fun to faith, from fancy to finality. The Birds of Winter will take you right into spring. Nicki De

  • Reply SteveKristi June 21, 2020 at 5:36 pm

    Steve & Kristi Nebel in Cosmo’s Dream:
    Big Sky Blues CD ICBD 1501 Icebird
    P.O. Box 5764
    Tacoma, WA 98415
    cosmosdream.sknebel.com

    The duo of Steve & Kristi Nebel has been performing in the Northwest, Alaska, and Great Britain for decades. Their mix of folk, originals, swing, humor, and protest/causes songs is well known and documented on a host of recordings. They were comfortable in their own skins and as a couple were able to achieve a niche for themselves over several decades. A couple of years ago they met Gen Obata, another Tacoma musician and songwriter who also plays guitar and mandolin. They jammed together and a year ago formally formed Cosmo’s Dream as a trio. There was obviously some chemistry working, and after six months they were in the studio and now have their first recording as Cosmo’s Dream. Obata adds an upper middle range vocal, a smooth, clean lead guitar, and solid mandolin chops, and a big bag of his own songs. As you will hear, they work well together. I have seen them three times in person, and they have grown and tightened the sound, and it deserved to get recorded. They open with Obata’s upbeat, humorous look at today’s technology in “Grandma’s Always Online”. Kristi’s vocal bites on the verse, and the bluegrass harmonies are perky and full of life. Obata’s guitar break is smooth, and the mandolin break is sharp and clear. Obata’s “Big Sky Blues” is a traveling song mixing a touch of western swing and a lazy western Obata vocal which, here, is in a kind of lazy Willie Nelson mood. The harmonies, holds, and clean guitar touches make this a relaxed delight. Steve Nebel’s “We’re Comin’ In” is a celebration of coming in off the sea and has Steve on lead vocal and solid guitar leads by Obata. This is a joyful contemporary song that would be great for traditional folk musicians to pick up a joyful celebration in music. Next, Obata opens with bluegrass guitar licks on the almost talking blues with a look at the modern changes to historic landscapes occurring everywhere. He takes us on a train ride to Carolina from Arkansas, and where his old cabin and hunting grounds used to be, there is now “The Blue Ridge Lonesome Pine Back Home Foggy Mountain Megamall”.
    This is a superb song for any bluegrass band. Obata’s vocal and guitar push this focus on modern life. Steve Nebel’s “Jesse” is a plaintive look at loss of love, and the distance in that loss. Kristi Nebel has the lead vocal with harmony by the men. Obata’s mandolin gives spark to the mid tempo song of loss. The song of loss of love and the sparsely used soft harmonies are arranged thoughtfully. Steve Nebel’s “Doublewide” is a harsh look at single life and the cold choices of a tough life. Steve’s vocals are rougher, and edgy folk and they fit perfectly for this tough, meaty song. Obata’s “Don’t You Touch This Old Guitar” is the marriage of player and his instrument in the most emphatic way. The guitar wins over money, car, and gal friend so that he can sing and play more songs. This is taken in upbeat bluegrass style with Obata’s guitar taking high-speed lead and the breaks, another song for bluegrass groups. “Sunny Day” by Steve Nebel has sprightly mandolin loping along to drive Kristi Nebel’s vocal. This is a sort of Latin-pop beach song mood. Interesting progressions and approach. Obata takes another bouncy mandolin break. Fun Song. Stephen Foster’s “Hard Times” has Kristi Nebel on lead vocal with clean, crisp mandolin leading the song. This is a strong three-part vocal and harmony. Solid push and drive with clean vocals carrying the day. The song begs a bit of low-end harmony, and I would bet a nickel that Steve Nebel will start developing and using his lower baritone/bass vocal for some of the harmonies. Steve penned “River Rising’ way back in the late 70s. Again, harmonies open and carry the song in a snappy movement. Kristi Nebel brings the lead vocal, clear and sailing. The theme of pack up and move out is the label of the day as floods take out folks’ homes, railroad lines here in the Northwest and all over the country. Solid CD and representation of Cosmo’s Dream going into 2016. They took this new CD to International Folk Alliance in February in Kansas City as we went to press, and they will take it and the new trio to Great Britain later this year. The recording is simple, direct and clean. The instruments have decent distinction. The packaging is a four panel fold over with slots on each internal side to slip in the CD on one side and the lyric sheet on the other Tune list and length of each song are on both the CD jacket and CD itself, as are all we site, email, and mailing contacts. Binding has data for shelf retrieval. Very enjoyable.

    Chris Lunn, Ancient Victories

  • Reply SteveKristi February 6, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    Album: Detour
    Artist: Kristi Nebel
    Label: Icebird
    This very enjoyable new 15 tune CD features Kristi in the vocal spotlight and on bass on both new and classic items. The great Paul Anastasio is fiddle player except on rhythm guitarist and back-up vocalist, Steve Nebel’s Texas dance hall style composition, Bow. Dave Harmonson plays pedal steel and Dobro on the album except on “Bow” where Jeff Moore plays pedal steel. Barbara Collins plays fiddle on that tune. Jeff plays lead guitar on another of Steve’s compositions, Bats in the Belfry. Other musicians are Denali Williams- drums, Mike Nelson- rhythm guitar and accordion and piano player Toby Hanson. The album opens with Paul Westmoreland’s Western Swing classic “Detour”, from Spade Cooley, Elton Britt and so many others. Other standards include Johnny Mercer’s “I’m an Old Cowhand”, Willie Nelson’s “Crazy” and two from the Ray Price library, Ralph Mooney’s “Crazy Arms” and Harlan Howard’s “Heartaches by the Number”. Also included is a wonderful tune with huge hit potential, “Swingin’ in Tucson”, the standard “Just Because” and Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me in”. There are also from Bob Wills, “Right or Wrong” and “Stay All Night” and from Hank Thompson, “Six Pack to Go”. The two remaining items are a wonderful version of Waltz Across Texas from the Ernest Tubb band and Steve Nebel’s original country tune “Would You Hold My Hand”?
    This CD can be obtained for $15, postage included, by calling 253-573-1504. It can also be obtained on line from http://www.cdbaby.com, Amazon.com or most popular digital download sites.
    Mike Gross, KSEY-FM, Seymour, TX
    May 30, 2014

  • Reply SteveKristi February 6, 2021 at 2:27 pm

    Review for Detour:

    Detour review by Remo Ricaldone:
    planetcountry.itTwitterFacebookRSS Articles in Italian Culture, places and traditions Articles In Inglese
    Somewhat surprising that “Detour”, solo record for Kristi Nebel, an important figure of the folk scene of the Pacific Northwest and currently living with her husband in Tacoma, Washington State.Paired with Steve Nebel fact he has recorded works by the characteristic imprint folk and touching sometimes the more traditional country music but this album proposes it with great skill by the swing of Texas brand and a country & western definitely noticeable. Produced by pianist and accordionist Toby Hanson who is also part of his band, flanked by her husband who is also the author of the three moments of the original collection and supported by a well-matched set of musicians including the brilliant Dave Harmonson on pedal steel guitar, Paul Anastasio on violin and Mike Nelson on guitar, Kristi Nebel shows its excellent vocal talents in a repertoire full of famous moments and little gems of country and western music. The song that gives title to the disc, a significant honky tonk where the fiddle really makes the numbers to “Swingin ‘In Tucson” in which the whole band’ swinga ‘great, from country-rock inflections of “Bats In The Belfry “the beautiful” Right Or Wrong “we can let ourselves be carried on the wings of sounds that still have large following throughout the American West. Among the most famous songs find beautiful transpositions of “I’m An Old Cowhand”, a classic ‘Wetsern number’ of Johnny Mercer, “Crazy Arms” signed by Ralph Mooney and Charles Seals, “Crazy” by Willie Nelson who really needs a few presentations for whoever knows even a little ‘of country music, “Do not Fence Me In” by Cole Porter, “Heartaches By The Number” Harlan Howard, “Six Packs To Go” by Hank Thompson, “Waltz Across Texas “by Ernest Tubb and” Stay All Night “by Bob Wills, as you can see an excellent roundup of names that are part of the history of American music. A disc really very nice that deserves a little ‘attention and that’ customs clearance ‘Kristi Nebel as good performer country. (Remo Ricaldone) Kristi

  • Reply SteveKristi February 6, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    The Cowgirl’s Dream project was born in 2014 on the occasion of the recording of a disc by Kristi Nebel, a singer from the Pacific Northwest deeply linked to country & western sounds, in which her husband Steve Nebel, appreciated guitarist and author, Toby Hanson a passionate pianist and accordionist participated western swing and Mike Friel, drummer often involved in the jazz scene in Tacoma, Washington. The quartet in question offers skillfully and competently a mix of country music and western swing with western colors, combining covers and originals celebrating tradition with respect and sagacity. Certainly nothing particularly new is added, everything is within the confines of a pleasant ‘already heard’ but it is in the sincerity of the proposal, in the brilliant reinterpretation of timeless classics and in the compositional vein of Steve Nebel if we can consider this album successful. Fans will not need presentations for songs like “Jambalaya” and “You Win Again”, classics from the repertoire of Hank Williams, Sr. or for “Take Me Back To Tulsa” by Bob Wills, “Truck Drivin ‘Man” by Terry Fell (redone over the years by dozens of country artists), “Oklahoma Hills” by Woody Guthrie and “Deep Water” by Fred Rose, all reinterpreted with extreme rigor, paying homage to deeply loved authors. Rather we could dwell on the classic country song “The Stranger”, on the rock “Everybody Gotta Hurt”, on the country waltz “Beer, Beautiful Beer”, on the heartfelt “Go Out To Alberta” with the accordion of Toby Hanson, the great protagonist and on “My Home In Washington” to emphasize the skills of author of Steve Nebel who alternates in the vocal parts to Kristi Nebel. An honest and artisanal disc, definitely free of additives and artificial flavors. (Remo Ricaldone)