Berlin -febr 25 2016 STERN
Sie in Westernstiefeln und mit Lederjacke über dem Blümchenkleid. Er mit Cowboystiefeln, groß gemustertem Karohemd und dunklem Jackett. Roots-Rock mit Country-Einschlag würde man tippen, wenn man das Cover des Albums «Unfolding» (earMusic/Edel) von Balsamo Deighton ansieht
Und liegt damit auch nicht ganz verkehrt: 70er-Ikonen wie Gram Parsons, Jackson Browne oder Emmylou Harris zählen Steve Balsamo und Rosalie Deighton zu ihren Einflüssen. Für die etwas rockigeren Momente sorgen Vorbilder wie Tom Petty.
«Erwachsener Songs über das menschliche Befinden», so beschreibt das Duo sein in London entstandenes Debütalbum «Unfolding», das mit Hilfe der Fundraising-Plattform «PledgeMusic» das Licht der Welt erblickte. Die beiden Musiker kennen sich schon viele Jahre und haben auch in Deightons Band The Storys einige Zeit zusammengespielt. Nach deren Auflösung blieben die beiden «übrig».
Und sie passen gut zusammen - vor allem beim Gesang: «Ich liebe Rosalies ätherische Stimme und obwohl wir unterschiedliche Sänger sind, passiert da immer etwas Magisches», sagte Steve Balsamo laut Mitteilung der Plattenfirma.
Am Schönsten passt das alles in dem Song «Long Way Round» zusammen. Eine langsame, von Melancholie getragene atmoshärische Ballade über die Krux mit der Liebe. Rosalie Deighton schrieb den Song, nachdem ihr damaliger Partner sie betrogen hatte. Ein Hauch von Düsternis durchzieht das Lied, mit dem sich Balsamo Deighton wohl am weitesten von ihren Westcoast-Ikonen entfernen.
Und in ihren schönsten Momenten positioniert sich das Duo zwischen Fleetwood Mac und Crosby, Stills & Nash.
.http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Monday, February 29, 2016
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Sunday, February 21, 2016
Balsamo Deighton - Blue - 'Live From The Coast'
Lovely video of our song Blue from our Album Launch at Coast Italia, Swansea. Febr. 2016
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Friday, February 19, 2016
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Unfolding of a musical journey Balsamo Deighton debut recording
Unfolding of a musical journey Balsamo Deighton debut recording
February 8, 2016 by Bluesdoodles
Thirteen may be unlucky for some. Not so for the Unfolding of a musical journey, Balsamo Deighton’s debut recording. The album Unfolding is pure Americana from the duo Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton. Steve and Rosalie are both respected singer song writers and joining forces the power of two is quadrupled. As they explain this is a collection of ‘grown up songs on the human condition’. They met over ten years ago and then the music journey took them on different routes. Several times around the world in various musical guises, their paths crossed again when Rosalie – who grew up in the successful folk band The Deighton Family and is considered one of Britain’s finest female vocalists – supported Steve’s highly regarded country rock band from Swansea, The Storys. Unfolding is the outcome of a collaboration that has created an album that is fragrant with emotion and flows with the turbulence of life tempered with those golden days we all want to capture.
Opening with piano chords that gain your attention and then Drive On builds from simplicity into flowing lyrics and a melody line that drives you through a scenic route. Track one gained my attention could this be sustained yes the drum snares and the vocals soar now this is Americana with thoughtful lyrics and textures in the tempo. Yes, this is music that will always, if not careful, drift into the background BUT Balsamo Deighton have enough grit to keep you listening and the feet will tap. Lyrics have a hint of rawness and do not stop the whole production from becoming too syrupy sweet. By half way through the duo are in full flow and the album has a shape that is distinctive. Light In The Dark for me needs perhaps musically to have had a stronger darker side to add another shape in the repertoire of a duo with stylish voices and the power of lyrics. Then I got that hardening of the beat with Run Back To Your Life, vocal harmonisation and a tune that adds tonal depth and darkness as they sing about parting there is a never-ending circle of yearning throughout this track; with its feel of country drenched Americana. The beat picks up and 50 Foot Jesus hits the airwaves this is a quirky number that certainly once again catches your attention. As the 50 Foot Jesus on a billboard caught theirs! The title track is poignant, acapella has incredible power when done well as in the opening of the closing track. Unfolding written with immense feeling as penned in memory of a fan who was killed in Afghanistan and the simplicity of the track ensures it is all about the words.
There is a bonus (iTunes only) track thirteen For The Night with Rosalie opening in a trance like number as if waking from a dream. A gentle number closing Unfolding.
Balasamo Deighton are a duo in harmony with each other, this is Americana folk that tells a tale that they unfold using melody as the roadway and vocals as the driving medium..
Bluesdoodles gives this CD SEVEN
doodle paws out of TEN ….
Balasmo Deighton – Unfolding Released 5th February 2016 – earMusic a project of Edel (Distributed in the UK by Absolute via Universal).
2. Blue
3. Ride It
4. Sky Blue And Back
5. Long Way Round
6. Light In The Dark
7. The Dream Song
8. Run Back To Your Life
9. The Ghost of Me And You
10. 50 foot Jesus
11. These Four Walls
12. Unfolding
13. For The Night ( iTunes only)
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
February 8, 2016 by Bluesdoodles
Thirteen may be unlucky for some. Not so for the Unfolding of a musical journey, Balsamo Deighton’s debut recording. The album Unfolding is pure Americana from the duo Steve Balsamo and Rosalie Deighton. Steve and Rosalie are both respected singer song writers and joining forces the power of two is quadrupled. As they explain this is a collection of ‘grown up songs on the human condition’. They met over ten years ago and then the music journey took them on different routes. Several times around the world in various musical guises, their paths crossed again when Rosalie – who grew up in the successful folk band The Deighton Family and is considered one of Britain’s finest female vocalists – supported Steve’s highly regarded country rock band from Swansea, The Storys. Unfolding is the outcome of a collaboration that has created an album that is fragrant with emotion and flows with the turbulence of life tempered with those golden days we all want to capture.
Opening with piano chords that gain your attention and then Drive On builds from simplicity into flowing lyrics and a melody line that drives you through a scenic route. Track one gained my attention could this be sustained yes the drum snares and the vocals soar now this is Americana with thoughtful lyrics and textures in the tempo. Yes, this is music that will always, if not careful, drift into the background BUT Balsamo Deighton have enough grit to keep you listening and the feet will tap. Lyrics have a hint of rawness and do not stop the whole production from becoming too syrupy sweet. By half way through the duo are in full flow and the album has a shape that is distinctive. Light In The Dark for me needs perhaps musically to have had a stronger darker side to add another shape in the repertoire of a duo with stylish voices and the power of lyrics. Then I got that hardening of the beat with Run Back To Your Life, vocal harmonisation and a tune that adds tonal depth and darkness as they sing about parting there is a never-ending circle of yearning throughout this track; with its feel of country drenched Americana. The beat picks up and 50 Foot Jesus hits the airwaves this is a quirky number that certainly once again catches your attention. As the 50 Foot Jesus on a billboard caught theirs! The title track is poignant, acapella has incredible power when done well as in the opening of the closing track. Unfolding written with immense feeling as penned in memory of a fan who was killed in Afghanistan and the simplicity of the track ensures it is all about the words.
There is a bonus (iTunes only) track thirteen For The Night with Rosalie opening in a trance like number as if waking from a dream. A gentle number closing Unfolding.
Balasamo Deighton are a duo in harmony with each other, this is Americana folk that tells a tale that they unfold using melody as the roadway and vocals as the driving medium..
Bluesdoodles gives this CD SEVEN
doodle paws out of TEN ….Balasmo Deighton – Unfolding Released 5th February 2016 – earMusic a project of Edel (Distributed in the UK by Absolute via Universal).
Track Listing
1. Drive On2. Blue
3. Ride It
4. Sky Blue And Back
5. Long Way Round
6. Light In The Dark
7. The Dream Song
8. Run Back To Your Life
9. The Ghost of Me And You
10. 50 foot Jesus
11. These Four Walls
12. Unfolding
13. For The Night ( iTunes only)
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Balsam Deighton Under The Apple Tree Sessions at C2C
Sun March 13, 2016 - 12:40 PM
London, United Kingdom, 2016
Under The Apple Tree Sessions at C2C O2 Arena
with:Balsamo Deighton
Under The Apple Tree Sessions (Bob Harris stage) in Building Six O2 Arena
Balsamo Deighton in UK country Charts!
Well THANK YOU for helping us get into the UK Country Charts!!! We are so happy!!!!!
(Steve)
It's amazing...
...we write a bunch of songs from the heart, record them, then send them out into the world like sonic messages in bottles.
...
We hope that they land, somewhere, and hope that they connect with people the way they have connected with us.
The feedback and reviews we've had so far really makes us think that we have connected in some way.
As songwriters, this is very, very satisfying.
But being on a list with Buddy Miller, sheeeeesh!
Thank you from both of us x
(Steve)
It's amazing...
...we write a bunch of songs from the heart, record them, then send them out into the world like sonic messages in bottles.
...
We hope that they land, somewhere, and hope that they connect with people the way they have connected with us.
The feedback and reviews we've had so far really makes us think that we have connected in some way.
As songwriters, this is very, very satisfying.
But being on a list with Buddy Miller, sheeeeesh!
Thank you from both of us x
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Sunday, February 7, 2016
Balsamo Deighton : from tonight's intimate album launch in Swansea of the new Balsamo Deighton album
After 6 years in the making it's arrived! From tonight's intimate album launch in Swansea of the new Balsamo Deighton album. A mix of story telling & music with a great group of people. Photo by & copyright of Graham Harries (gphotography). (thanks Graham for sharing )
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Steve Balsamo launches new album in Swansea: "I'm always writing songs, it's like an addiction"
The Storys might have called it a day, but former frontman Steve Balsamo just can't stop songwriting. He talks to MARK REES ahead of the launch of the new Balsamo Deighton album in Swansea tonight.
Much-missed Swansea rock band The Storys had a very simple, and highly effective, philosophy to their music: it was all about the song.
A philosophy which former frontman Steve Balsamo has adhered to with his current project, Americana duo Balsamo Deighton.
"We always used to say that 'the song is the king'," he explains ahead of the launch of his new album Unfolding, which will be unveiled at High Street's Coast Italia this evening.
In fact, he describes the whole art of songwriting as something of a mystical process, a compulsive drive which he seemingly has little control over.
"It's magical," says Steve, who has penned songs for the likes of Meat Loaf, Anthony Callea, Jonatan Cerrada and Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
"I'm always writing songs, it's like an addiction. What's amazing is that you start with nothing, and then a magic, or alchemy happens.
"You go into a room, and when you come out six hours later you've willed something into existence.
"When those songs go out the door, you have no idea where they're going to land, and what I've noticed is that the more personal you make things, the more they connect with people."
Steve recalls one in particular which has had a profound effect on him, both as a person and as a songwriter.
"When we play the song Unfolding, I tell the story of it beforehand," he says of the title track from his latest full-length offering.
"It's one of my favourite songs that I've ever been involved with.
"A lot of the songs on the album have got a big sound, very poppy and rocky. But this one is very stripped down with a Springsteen vibe.
"The Storys played a gig in Aldershot once, and our manager got a call afterwards from a man whose son was killed in Afghanistan.
"He wanted the song God Take Care of the One I Love, written by Dai Smith, to be played at his son's funeral. It became a part of his story.
"It was a very humbling moment — the song is based on that story."
"It was quite trippy," Steve says with a laugh of their part in 2008 crime film Bank Job.
"He heard it on the radio, and before you know it we're in a film with Jason Statham. He was very nice, and very short – but I wouldn't tell him that to his face!" he jokes.
But now it's time to look to the future, and with The Storys going their separate ways in 2010, Steve thinks that his time away from the spotlight has helped his new music with fellow former member Rosalie Deighton.
"It's been a long time coming, but it's all beginning again now," he says.
"Rosie joined The Storys after Dai left, and the band was such a big part of our lives that I needed to take some time out.
"When we started writing again, it was almost like therapy. It was cathartic, and we had some good songs."
And with no pressure from being in a band, the songwriting process was much more organic.
"There were no expectations on us," he tells me.
"The songs came very gently, they're songs about life. A lot has happened over the years, like the birth of my son Frankie.
"We had about 30 songs, and the album is actually album mark three – it's our favourite configuration of those songs."
And fans of The Storys will be glad to know that, musically, Steve and Rosalie haven't strayed too far from the sound that they know and love.
"It's quite poppy," he says.
"We love the American West Coast sounds, and we've got a country influence, very much in the singer songwriter vein."
He credits the likes of Jackson Brown and The Eagles to Ryan Adams and Emmylou Harris as influences, with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand album being a particular inspiration.
As Steve says: "We just like good songs."
But along with his musical influences, there is another equally important factor which has had a profound effect on shaping Steve's musical talents – his hometown.
"I've been all over the world, and Swansea is one of the greatest, most creative and vibrant places I've ever been.
"It's an edgy, bohemian city, and I always used to say with The Storys that I'm from a little town that's got all these great poets, actors and artists.
"Actors like Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen from Port Talbot, or musicians like Badfinger, Bonnie Tyler and Mal Pope.
"And then there's Dylan Thomas, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Harry Secombe – he was one of The Goons, for God's sake!" he laughs.
"And that's just the big names. I think there's something in the water."
In fact, Steve's only complaint with the area is that we don't shout about it quite enough for his liking.
"The Welsh don't like to brag. They unveiled a plaque to Pete Hamm a few years ago, and had a concert in the Grand afterwards," he says of the celebration, at which Balsamo Deighton performed on a line-up which included the likes of Mal Pope and former Badfinger band members.
"Pete Hamm was one of the best songwriters to walk the earth, and if that was in Liverpool or somewhere there'd be a museum to Badfinger."
On a more positive note, he is excited by the recently unveiled plans to develop the area — in particular, the news that Swansea could soon have its own indoor arena.
"That's a massive statement, and a massive chance for up-and-coming artists to support some big artists. We had some funding from the Arts Council when we started this journey, but it's so difficult, and anything that can help is a good thing."
Balsamo Deighton's debut album Unfolding is on sale now, and will be launched at Swansea's High Street Coast Italia on Saturday, February
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Much-missed Swansea rock band The Storys had a very simple, and highly effective, philosophy to their music: it was all about the song.
A philosophy which former frontman Steve Balsamo has adhered to with his current project, Americana duo Balsamo Deighton.
"We always used to say that 'the song is the king'," he explains ahead of the launch of his new album Unfolding, which will be unveiled at High Street's Coast Italia this evening.
In fact, he describes the whole art of songwriting as something of a mystical process, a compulsive drive which he seemingly has little control over.
"It's magical," says Steve, who has penned songs for the likes of Meat Loaf, Anthony Callea, Jonatan Cerrada and Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash.
"I'm always writing songs, it's like an addiction. What's amazing is that you start with nothing, and then a magic, or alchemy happens.
"You go into a room, and when you come out six hours later you've willed something into existence.
"When those songs go out the door, you have no idea where they're going to land, and what I've noticed is that the more personal you make things, the more they connect with people."
Steve recalls one in particular which has had a profound effect on him, both as a person and as a songwriter.
"When we play the song Unfolding, I tell the story of it beforehand," he says of the title track from his latest full-length offering.
"It's one of my favourite songs that I've ever been involved with.
"A lot of the songs on the album have got a big sound, very poppy and rocky. But this one is very stripped down with a Springsteen vibe.
"The Storys played a gig in Aldershot once, and our manager got a call afterwards from a man whose son was killed in Afghanistan.
"He wanted the song God Take Care of the One I Love, written by Dai Smith, to be played at his son's funeral. It became a part of his story.
"It was a very humbling moment — the song is based on that story."
"He heard it on the radio, and before you know it we're in a film with Jason Statham."Steve recollects another tune which, after being released into the world, was played on radio and caught the ear of a movie director – which led to the group landing a role in a film with Hollywood hardman Jason Statham.
"It was quite trippy," Steve says with a laugh of their part in 2008 crime film Bank Job.
"He heard it on the radio, and before you know it we're in a film with Jason Statham. He was very nice, and very short – but I wouldn't tell him that to his face!" he jokes.
But now it's time to look to the future, and with The Storys going their separate ways in 2010, Steve thinks that his time away from the spotlight has helped his new music with fellow former member Rosalie Deighton.
"It's been a long time coming, but it's all beginning again now," he says.
"Rosie joined The Storys after Dai left, and the band was such a big part of our lives that I needed to take some time out.
"When we started writing again, it was almost like therapy. It was cathartic, and we had some good songs."
And with no pressure from being in a band, the songwriting process was much more organic.
"There were no expectations on us," he tells me.
"The songs came very gently, they're songs about life. A lot has happened over the years, like the birth of my son Frankie.
"We had about 30 songs, and the album is actually album mark three – it's our favourite configuration of those songs."
And fans of The Storys will be glad to know that, musically, Steve and Rosalie haven't strayed too far from the sound that they know and love.
"It's quite poppy," he says.
"We love the American West Coast sounds, and we've got a country influence, very much in the singer songwriter vein."
He credits the likes of Jackson Brown and The Eagles to Ryan Adams and Emmylou Harris as influences, with Robert Plant and Alison Krauss' Raising Sand album being a particular inspiration.
As Steve says: "We just like good songs."
But along with his musical influences, there is another equally important factor which has had a profound effect on shaping Steve's musical talents – his hometown.
"I've been all over the world, and Swansea is one of the greatest, most creative and vibrant places I've ever been.""Being from here is a massive influence on my creativity," he says, pointing out some of the major cultural figures to emerge from the city and the surrounding areas.
"I've been all over the world, and Swansea is one of the greatest, most creative and vibrant places I've ever been.
"It's an edgy, bohemian city, and I always used to say with The Storys that I'm from a little town that's got all these great poets, actors and artists.
"Actors like Richard Burton, Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen from Port Talbot, or musicians like Badfinger, Bonnie Tyler and Mal Pope.
"And then there's Dylan Thomas, a former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Harry Secombe – he was one of The Goons, for God's sake!" he laughs.
"And that's just the big names. I think there's something in the water."
In fact, Steve's only complaint with the area is that we don't shout about it quite enough for his liking.
"The Welsh don't like to brag. They unveiled a plaque to Pete Hamm a few years ago, and had a concert in the Grand afterwards," he says of the celebration, at which Balsamo Deighton performed on a line-up which included the likes of Mal Pope and former Badfinger band members.
"Pete Hamm was one of the best songwriters to walk the earth, and if that was in Liverpool or somewhere there'd be a museum to Badfinger."
On a more positive note, he is excited by the recently unveiled plans to develop the area — in particular, the news that Swansea could soon have its own indoor arena.
"That's a massive statement, and a massive chance for up-and-coming artists to support some big artists. We had some funding from the Arts Council when we started this journey, but it's so difficult, and anything that can help is a good thing."
Balsamo Deighton's debut album Unfolding is on sale now, and will be launched at Swansea's High Street Coast Italia on Saturday, February
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Balsamo-Deighton dutch review of album unfolding
Written in music
Balsamo Deighton – Unfolding
| Band: | Balsamo Deighton |
| Album_title: | Unfolding |
| Genre: | country, folkpop |
| Release_date: | 02/05/2016 |
| Label: | Ear Music |
| Rating: | Drie sterren (3) |
| Soundsid: | 3455854 |
Op de eerste studioschijf van het duo overheerst een romantisch gevoel zonder evenwel in melige toestanden te vervallen in songs die vanuit persoonlijke ervaringen ontstonden. Drive On is geïnspireerd door een nachtelijke autorit van Los Angeles naar Las Vegas.In midtempo werk als Ride It klinken ook muzikale Amerikaanse invloeden sterk door, de harmonica en gitaarbegeleiding versterken dat gevoel, luister maar eens naar Sky Blue and Black dat een weidse klankenpalet onthult. Helaas wordt daarbij niet zelden voor een iets te gepolijste aanpak, die we wel vaker bij de instrumentatie van het hedendaagse country georiënteerd werk opduikt gekozen. Het op zich niet onaardige 50 Foot Jesus vormt daar geen uitzondering op.
Wel opmerkelijk zijn de stemmen van Balsamo en Deighton die elkaar perfect aanvoelen en aanvullen. In de wat luchtiger georkestreerde songs als Run Back To Your Life en akoestisch werk als These Four Walls en de prachtige afsluitende titelsong Unfolding komt de stemmenpracht stukken beter uit de verf maar helaas schuilen die lichtjes magische momenten enkel in de staart van dit debuut.
Tracklisting Unfolding:
- Drive On
- Blue
- Ride It
- Sky Blue And Black
- Long Way Round
- Light In The Dark
- The Dream Song
- Run Back To Your Life
- The Ghost Of Me And You
- 50 Foot Jesus
- These Four Walls
- Unfolding
Monday, February 1, 2016
Balsamo Deighton - BBC Radio Northampton with John Griff - 11 Nov 2015
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Balsamo Deighton - BBC Radio Bristol with Claire Cavanagh - 2 Nov 2015
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
Steve Balsamo - BBC Radio Wales with Alan Thompson - 4 Oct 2015
http://balsamo-deighton.blogspot.nl/
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