Steve Forbert - The Place And The Time (2009)

This is folk/country/roots veteran Steve Forbert's 13th studio release and it sounds minimally different than most of the previous ones since his 1978 debut. The singer/songwriter's boyish looks and sensitive, scratchy voice are eternally youthful and his tunes retain the same mix of dry humor, storytelling honesty, and inviting pop melodies. This time he's backed by his road band, yet, while the musicians are talented, they never shift out of cruise control. The press kit highlights legendary guitarist Reggie Young's (Dusty Springfield, Elvis Presley) participation, but he also stays predominantly in the background. Even when the material calls for a more rock & roll-oriented attack, as on the satiric "The Beast of Ballyhoo (Rock Show)," the musical support is unduly reserved. The group works most effectively on the folk-rock stylings of "Building Me a Fire" and the low-key funk-gospel reading of the American traditional "The Coo Coo Bird," one of this disc's most enticing moments. Forbert sounds inspired and the band plays well but there is a spark missing from these pleasant, professionally produced (by Forbert and multi-instrumentalist Robby Turner) songs. Between some agreeable but far from invigorating material and instrumental accompaniment that falls too closely on the sterile side of clean, the sessions need a booster shot of the rawness and energy that characterize Forbert's finest work. He nearly overcomes these shortcomings with his spirited persona, especially on the lovely opening ballad "Blackbird Tune." But it's on songs like the following "Sing It Again, My Friend" that by-the-numbers playing and lifeless production turn a good song into a forgettable one. The female singers who make occasional appearances also aren't sufficient to liven up the cardboard backing tracks. Forbert's bubbly personality is almost strong enough to compensate, but fans who have seen his feisty concerts may not be able to ignore the bland backup that all but sinks this well-intentioned but disappointing set.