T.M. Stevens - Black Night Deep Purple Tribute, According to New York (1997)

Eu já conheço o som do negrão de longa data e acompanhando seu trabalho ídem.
O que sempre me chamou a atenção é que ele era visualmente falando, de uma escola "a lá" Steve Vai e outros que se vestiam extravagantemente e isso me chamou a atenção prq muitos escondem sua pouca capacidade atrás de muitas imagens e luzes, pinturas e cores; o que não foi e não é o caso de T.M.Stevens, talvez um dos maiores e melhores baixistas que já ouvi neste planeta.

O cara além de cantar muito, ter um pusta de um swingue e marca própria em estilo e no que quer fazer, ele é muito, mas muito bom mesmo no que faz e olha que existe uma lista imensa de magos nas cordas grossas, e fica até difícil dizer quem é melhor e porque?Bom em 97 eu encontrei a resposta: - Ele pega a obra do Deep Purple, uma das maiores e mais lendárias bandas do rock mundial, e a adapta ao seu estilo, falante, negro, balançante, alegre; as vezes reggae, as vz rock puro e muitas ou quase todas acompanhado do que tem de melhor e o resultado é um álbum que enquanto dedilho aqui rola na alcatéia a mil "space truckin" e o que mais se destaca é?
Tudo, tudo, tudo é muito bom, batera, guita, vocais, e claro seu inseparável baixo e sua pusta vocalização rouca e poderosa, ou vc acha mesmo que caras como estes da lista abaixo entrariam num projeto deste de bobeira?

Difícil falar desse cara, ou tentar falar mais dele, mas se vc ama o Purple, pode ser que julgue que a obra foi reinventada, mas se vc se deixar levar pela sonoridade e souber que o Purple aplaudiu o trabalho considerando um ou talvez o melhor tributo já feito; talvez mude de idéia e pense: - Se não fosse como foi, deveria ser assim, rs
Além do que, ele também é produtor, arranjador e participou de sucessos variados de bandas variadas e algumas seguem listadas abaixo; em breve vou postando seus outros trabalhos por aqui, mas este aqui é alucinante por isso o escolhi.

Ah! Preste atenção ou já vá direto pra Stormbringer e veja o que é aquilo, o que é que ele fez com uma das melhores pra mim e que simplesmente ficou, mágicamente divina.
Espero curtam tanto tanto qto eu; olha ele aí na Korea e diz que eu tô brincando,rs!!!!!!

TM Steven's skill and proficiency globally as a bassist and vocalist is legendary. A luminous figure amongst today's bassists, he has unbelievable energy, stunning stage presence and knows how to win a crowd over within minutes. His ferocious, yet melodic, style of bass is as unique as his larger than life persona. Never losing sight of his own special blend of signature roots music Heavy Metal Funk with his band Shocka Zooloo, TM's versatility and heavyweight skills as producer, songwriter, singer and instrumentalist are obvious on his now six solo albums with a seventh due in summer of 2006. (See Discography, Concert, Video and TV-Show list.)

He successfully presents himself on these as both songwriter and producer and still enjoys working with other artists when his schedule allows. With at least two European Shocka Zooloo tours each year he also toured in 2004 with Jean Paul Bourelly and drummer John Blackwell (Prince). In Autumn 2005 he completed his Asian tour with Neil Zaza going directly into a lengthy European tour with Shocka Zooloo, finished 2005 with the collaboration of TM, Carl Palmer (ELP) and Andrea Brado in Italy and Russia and even squeezed in another European ELP tour in February of 2006.

TM's rich, hefty, trademark vocals came about through James Brown's insistence that he not only play bass but sing on "Living In America" and Mr Brown's album "Gravity". This was TM's in-road to many years of sessions and productions with some of the world's finest artists.

His extravagance, combined with tenderness and complimented by a whole lot of 'Funkiness', is enriched through years of recording with award-winning stars like Steve Vai, Cindy Lauper, Little Steven, Tina Turner and Billy Joel. A former member of The Pretenders, TM recorded on the platinum album "Get Close" and also produced and arranged, amongst others, the album "Tribute to Deep Purple According to New York" on which artists like Yngwie Malamsteen, members of Living Color and Bernie Worrell (P-Funk) all participated. It was TM who contributed the compelling groove with his unmistakable style on Joe Cocker's mainstream classic "Unchain my Heart." Together with Narada Michael Walden he penned the billboard hit "I Should Have Loved Ya."His early jazz years brought him to play with the man hinmself, Miles Davis, and fans speak almost religously of TM's performance at Montreaux Jazz Festival so many years ago with One Truth, Mahavishu and John Mc Laughin.

With the songs on TM's CD's leaning more on the heavy metal funk side, combining Afro percussive blends and Reggae roots with funk and strong melodies peppered with his impressive ballads, we note:

"The important thing is that all of the songs came from my heart, guts and roots."

From the early days of Delta Blues with artists such as Blind Lemon and Lead Belly, to the very beginnings of modern day Rock'n'Roll , which was carved and invented by the likes of Chuck Berry and Little Richard, these forerunners are indeed part of his roots:

"As an artist, to draw from what these pioneers had started and then be able to add my own ideas to make a sound that's unique to me, is not only a privilege but also an honor... I find that contrary to the marketing strategies of separating the various music into different categories, new music is created by combining the elements of many styles. We are all the sum total of our ancestors (roots) through our past to the present. Hence by playing, without 'over thinking' what I naturally feel, the sound will be more original and real."1997
Deep Purple Tribute, According to New York
DeRock DERCD-092

1.Black Night
2.Strange kind of woman
3.Fireball
4.Smoke on the water
5.Child in time
6.Woman from Tokyo
7.Space truckin'
8.Stormbringer
9.Speed king
10.Burn
11.Deep Purple NY
Produced and arranged by T.M. Stevens for T-Bird Productions

Musicians
•T.M. Stevens - bass, vocals
•Joe Lynn Turner - vocals
•Al Pitrelli - guitars
•Vinnie Moore - guitars
•Will Calhoun - drums
•Richie Kotzen - vocals, guitars
•Corey Glover - vocals
•Stevie Salas - guitars
•Bernie Worrell - keyboards
•Cindy Blackman - Drums
•Tony Harnell - vocals
•Simon Gregory - guitars
•Lars Y. Loudamp - guitars
•Van Romaine - drumsBassist T.M. Stevens leads guests like Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Corey Glover and Will Calhoun (ex-Living Colour), Richie Kotzen (ex-Poison), Al Pitrelli and Vinnie Moore through renditions of Deep Purple favorites including "Stormbringer," "Black Night," "Burn," "Smoke on the Water" and a reggae version of "Child in Time." ~ Jason Ankeny

Will Calhoun,Al Pitrelli, Stevie Salis,Vinnie Moore

Performers includes: Will Calhoun, Al Pitrelli, Stevie Salas, Vinnie Moore.

Personnel: T.M. Stevens (vocals, rap vocals, drums); Joe Lynn Turner, Richie Kotzen (vocals, guitar); Corey Glover, Tony Harnell (vocals); Simon Gregory, Lars Y. Loudamp, Al Pitrelli, Stevie Salas, Vinnie Moore (guitar); Bernie Worrell (keyboards); Cindy Blackman, Van Romaine, Will Calhoun (drums).

Audio Mixers: Patrick Muephy; Mike Shipley.

Recording information: Baby Monster Studios, NY; Big House Recording, NY.

Photographer: Sam F. Sugimoto.

Unknown Contributor Roles: T.M. Stevens; Will Calhoun.

Arranger: T.M. Stevens.
Obs: O mais engraçado pelo menos pra mim, foi que encontrei duas capas do mesmo trabalho e no site oficial dele a que vale é a segunda, a azul, aliás é considerada a oficial e tenho poucas informações sobre esta parte apesar de ter consultado alguns amigos que lidam nessa área, tb ficaram de me dar maiores detalhes mas até agora nada,rs
Me foi pedido a discografia dele, e vou postando mas gosto de ir fazendo do meu jeito, então espero que não pensem que é má vontade ou coisa parecida.

Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!