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 "As
a vocalist and songwriter, Steve Riley didn't have to
look very far to come up with a name for his band. Based
out of Sacramento, the quintet known as Riley use
acoustic and electric guitars, synth, bass and drums to
fashion a retro sound that falls somewhere between
acoustic folk and 70's rock. Riley's nine song album,
...Miles From Nowhere, both borrows and builds on the
sound and style of these genres and one of Riley's
primary influences, Cat Stevens.
Riley covers two Cat Steven's songs here, an except from
the title track and "Where Do the Children Play?" Both
stick mostly to the original arrangements with thick
acoustic guitars and low lying vocals. While the tracks
do not re-invent the original recordings, the energy and
sophistication of the performances shine through crystal
clear.
But not every song here pushes the same vibe. On cuts
like "Starr Light," guitarist Wyman Harrell cranks up
the rock edge as the band holds it steady. The diversion
expands as the vision of the band goes from simple folk
and synth to driving 70's blues rock.
 While
cuts like "Summer Rain" and "The Storm Will Be Silent"
merge synthesizer layers with guitars, sharp beats and
slick tight basslines, two songs here stand out as big
winners. The opening track, "Let's Make It Clear" dreams
of a better world as melodies of hope drift across
chilled piano and guitar music. "So breathe the air/
touch your fantasy/ Create if you dare..."
Then "Lady of Gold" shatters all preconceptions of the
band's limitations by featuring a wicked Spanish style
guitar solo over a switch-up rhythm. Certainly a crowd
pleaser at live shows, this one pushes into bold new
territory.
Riley's ...Miles From Nowhere draws its primary sound
from the past while crafting its songs with passion and
extraordinary musical commitment. This disc may not be a
hit with the MTV youth, but anyone who loves the
sensitivity of folk and the bite of 70's rock will
understand the rootsy edge and delicate swirls that
transmit from this music."
-InsideMusicReview.com
"Miles
from Nowhere opens with "Let's Make it Clear," a track
that immediately grabs the attention. The tune is
captivating and the lyrics include "there's a novel here
tonight, a songbook here tonight." From this we prepare
ourselves for a session of story songs.
The second track, "Born on a Holiday," is a very good
piece with some excellent guitar work. "Starr Light" is
a more ambitious production with some driving guitar
energy. There is a "House of the Rising Sun" feel about
the style used here.
"Where Do the Children Play" is a Cat Stevens
composition and this betrays the influences on Riley.
For the uninitiated, Stevens was a very popular writer
and performer on the UK contemporary folk scene a few
decades ago. This ecological lament is every bit as
necessary -- perhaps more so -- today. "We've come a
long way, changing day to day, but where do the children
play?" "Summer Rain" is another excellent love song,
again tinged with the sadness of parting.
Many of the tracks on this CD are personal. "Lady of
Gold" was written for the writer's wife. It is
beautifully composed and obviously heartfelt. The lyrics
include lines like "She'll always be brave, chase
monsters away, you'll never see her pain," extolling the
virtues of the real wives and mothers everywhere. Riley
also writes of his experiences in the Vietnam War.
Again, this is a very personal track but with universal
resonance. As someone once said, the most universal
stories are those written about small, local happenings.
The CD ends with an excerpt from another Stevens song,
"Miles from Nowhere."
This is a good album. The tracks have meaning and depth.
You will need to do a little work to seek it out,
however, as the band is still looking for outlets. You
can contact sriley@ghsd.k12.ca.us for more information."
- Rambles
written by
Nicky Rossiter
published 1 November 2003
"FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Steve Riley Band Continues Their Success With The
Riley-Wyman Factor EP
Sacramento, CA-March ? 2006--Sometimes misfortune has a
silver lining. Everything happens for a reason and the
idea of coincidence seems unrealistic at times with the
way things fall into place. The Steve Riley Band was
formed in 2003 under the most unfortunate of
circumstances. Steve had just lost his father and while
at the funeral, he met up with his cousin, Wyman
Harrell, whom he had not seen for years. One thing leads
to another and while discussing the possibility of a
recording session, it eventually became a reality.
Miles From Nowhere was released shortly thereafter and
it enjoyed acclaim from all corners of the globe. As a
follow up to that successful release, and the
eventuality of another full-length album, the EP The
Riley-Wyman Factor is now ready for release.
Riley’s Lou Reed goes country-blues vocals feature
roughly hewn passages full of color and intensity. The
album’s lyrical prose matches up well with Riley’s
steadfast vocal approach and style. Wyman Harrell plays
an inspired lead guitar throughout the recording,
peeling of stinging riffs in soul stirrers like “Magic
Man.”
Rock, country, and blues enthusiast alike will find The
Riley-Wyman Factor one of the more compelling and
original releases of 2006. If you sit from the
perspective of a listener or a musician, the variety of
genres covered leaves you wanting for more. If this EP
is any indication of what the future holds then music
fans have something special to look forward to from the
Steve Riley band for years to come."
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