Steve Marion, the guitarist known as Delicate Steve, recently announced a new album entitled ‘Delicate Steve Sings’.
Due out 16th August on ANTI-, its title might have implied a left turn for an artist known for his five albums of critically acclaimed instrumental music, plus his work with artists such as Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, Amen Dunes, Tame Impala and The Black Keys. However, as is so often the case with Delicate Steve, the idea has a few more layers than it might initially appear.
Inspired by the Willie Nelson covers album ‘Stardust’, Marion was inspired to make a record on which he takes aspects of iconic music from the past and reinterprets them in a way that carries his own distinctive mark. However, not content to simply record covers, he took a unique approach, blending a handful of faithful reworks with several new compositions on which he channels the voices of other artists.
‘Easy For You’ is the third single to be issued from the album. Not a cover of the 1977 Elvis Presley song with almost the same title, there is albeit a hint of the King in there. “My favourite part of this song is towards the end,” states Marion. “I appreciate a sparse sounding song, so tried to make one. It was recorded in Los Angeles, New York City, upstate New York and Long Beach, so a good balance.”
‘Easy For You’ was co-written by Marion with Elliot Bergman and recorded to tape at the studio of bassist Jonathan Rado. Other musicians featured are Kosta Galanopoulos (drums), Martin Bonventre (Rhodes), with Renata Zeiguer providing strings as well as a gorgeous vocal harmony towards its conclusion.
For the new album’s introductory single, ‘I’ll Be There’ VIDEO, Marion built a composition inspired by the voice of iconic US singer-songwriter Bill Withers (‘Ain’t No Sunshine’, ‘Lean On Me’, etc). It was followed by a cover of ‘Baby’ VISUALISERby Donnie & Joe Emerson, an underground hit when their 1979 debut album ‘Dreamin’ Wild’ was reissued by Light In The Attic in 2012.
DELICATE STEVE SINGS
TRACKLISTING
1 Cherry
2 Baby
3 I’ll Be There
4 Easy For You
5 Yesterday
6 Medieval Eyes
7 Wind Won’t Blow
8 Stay With Me
9 Walkin’
10 These Arms Of Mine