Stevie Paige

Stevie Paige is an immensely talented Melbourne based artist whose music is largely imbued with a natural soul-blues flavour resembling the classic Hi and Stax Records sounds that came out of Memphis in the 60’s. Formally trained on the classical guitar, Paige has complete mastery over her Les Paul Gibson and plays all guitars heard here, as well as some piano. She also wrote the silky string arrangements and vigorous horn lines that punctuate many of her eleven self-penned songs. A Quintet of first –call musicians with an impressive background in pop, jazz and R&B provide a platform for Paige’s sultry vocals. While most of her material has a solid rhythm and blues foundation, a few of Paige’s compositions border on pop and country styles. She comfortably brushes against the big time performing a closing acoustic duet with US harmonica great Charlie Musselwhite on the old Kern-Hammerstein show tune ‘Ol’ Man River’. - Al Hensley Rhythms Magazine

Wow! I popped the CD from this Australian singer and guitar player in and was immediately taken aback by the great sound. I love being surprised by artists that I’ve never heard of; sometimes it makes me think that maybe I should have already heard of them, but in Stevie’s case she’s from half way around the world.

Paige has a superb and powerful voice. When that voice gets paired up with really strong instrumental work it will get her and this album noticed quickly! Her guitar is clean and not over done and her band is outstanding. Mick Connor on keys, Anthony Norris on trumpet, Paul Williamson on the sax, Rob Little on bass and Mark Kennedy on drums and percussion give this album a big sound. But what strikes the listener first and foremost are Paige’s vocals. She’s a singer who seems ready to grasp any style of music and deliver the goods. While this CD is predominantly blues and soul, one can tell that she could belt out a song in almost any genre with success. I really was impressed with her.

Paige wrote all but the final track on the CD; she is also a pretty darn good songwriter. Here songs are fresh and bright, and range from slow, bluesy ballads and soulful songs to jumping and rocking numbers. There is not a bad song in the set. The last song is a modernized take on “Ol’ Man River” and also features Charlie Musselwhite on harp. A stark and bare song with only Paige on vocals with an acoustic guitar and Musselwhite filling in on harp, Paige closes out her album in a grand down home and gutsy style.

A graduate of Australia’s premier music school (the Victorian College of the Arts), Paige is classically trained but embraces the blues and soul. She is a young, new force to be musically reckoned with. I recommend you check her out!!!! - Reviewer Steve Jones secretary of the Crossroads Blues Society in Rockford. IL.

Singer/songwriter/musician, Stevie Paige, releases an outstanding album, “Welcome To The Big Time,” that is loaded with impressive soulful Blues. Stevie is a soloist with a backing band and on this album are the following accomplished musicians: Drums – Mark Kennedy (Duran-Duran, Rene Geyer, Leo Sayer), Bass – Rob Little (Tommy Emmanuel, The Seekers), Hammond Organ & Piano – Mick “The Reverend” O’Connor (Australian Crawl, The Black Sorrows), Trumpet – Anthony “ToK” Norris (Ricky Martin, Tina Turner, The Black Sorrows), Sax – Paul Williamson (Dire Straights, Vince Jones, Men at Work), Blues Harp – Charlie Musselwhite (Blues Legend.)

Kicking off the CD, “That’s Soul,” excites the listener with its bouncy beat, soulful vocals, and bright horn riffs. Paige doesn’t hold back with her voice on “Far From Here,” as she is not only rootsy with bluesy attitude but you can feel her strong heartfelt emotions on this melodic tune. Another song, “If It’s Not Your Own,” has a catchy beat that gets your feet tapping to the fun and lively beat while Paige belts out another great melodic melody. If you’re into the Blues and like the sound of powerful vocals with a fantastic backing band, then “Welcome To The Big Time,” is just what you need to hear.

-Diane and the RadioIndy.com Reviewer Team
Check out Stevie Paige’s music on RadioIndy.com with link to purchase and links to popular sites - RadioIndy Reviewer: Diane

To quote Australian Guitar Magazine “ Melbourne based singer, songwriter and guitarist Stevie Paige is considered to be the best female rock guitarist in Australia.” Now that’s the sort of press a reviewer likes to see. Stevie hails originally from Hanging Rock, and from there via the Victorian College of the Arts and on to blues stages around the country. Not your classic blues trajectory, but the result is a singer, guitarist, song-writer loaded with soul and blues feeling. The band work hard and Stevie puts a solid stamp on the “out front” role. There is more than a hint of Bonnie Raitt or maybe Deborah Coleman in the guitar and vocal delivery. Her vocals soar and then she throws in a bit of growl for effect, an unbeatable combination.

Stevie’s version of Ol Man River featuring Charlie Musselwhite on harp is a stand out. All of the songs
(except Ol Man River of course) are Stevie compositions and this is a particular strength of the CD. Far
from Here in the style of Try a Little Tenderness is my favourite. This is a blues and roots CD with an impressive spread of styles, quality musicianship and a soulful silky vocal….yum. Stevie has put together a pretty impressive bunch of musicians to help her out on this, her fourth CD

Stevie has a comprehensive website and you can listen to a selection of these tracks there. - Geoff Forbes M.B.A.S.

CD review
Stevie Paige
Welcome To The Big Time
(12 tracks, 50 minutes)

Stevie Paige has been the subject of several of my raves over the years, and here comes another one! This is her 4th album, the previous one being III released in 2006, so it’s been a while between drinks.
Stevie is one of those performers we have in the blues scene who should be a well known player on the larger stage, and who, with a little different focus could appeal to a much wider audience. There’s a bit of jazz in what she does, heaps of soul, and the stuff being put out by all the big name pop divas would be a walk in the park for her.

Helping Stevie out on this album are Charlie Musselwhite (harp), Mick ‘The Reverend’ O’Connor (Hammond, piano, Wurlitzer), Anthony ‘ToK’ Norris (trumpet), Paul Williamson (Tenor & baritone sax), Rob Little (bass & double bass), and Mark Kennedy (drums & percussion). How’s that for a backing band?

Stevie of course contributes vocals, backing vocals and guitars, as well as writing all the songs (except Old Man River) and doing all the arrangements including the strings and horns.

The sound is big and full. In fact you’d swear she had a full orchestra behind her most of the time. And of course all the players are among the best around so musically the album is beautiful.

Stevie’s voice is amazing, effortlessly soaring from deep and husky to high and pure and back again. And her guitar playing is great.

Ol’ Man River is a great showcase for Stevie’s vocals, with just Stevie on acoustic guitar, a little percussion, and some sweet harp from Charlie Musselwhite.

You could call this album ‘blues’, or maybe ‘big band jazz’, or ‘middle of the road’, or ‘easy listening’. Me? I just call it ‘good’! Check out www.SteviePaige.com for more info.
From the Sydney Blues Society’s “Blue Times” August 2010. By Gary deWall - Sydney Blues Society