Steve Forbert is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and harmonica player hailing from Meridian, Mississippi. Early on in his career he was heralded as the "new" Bob Dylan because of his similar vocal timbre and insightful lyrics. He is best known-known for his song "Romeo's Tune" which made a beeline to the top of the charts - hitting #11 on the Billboard's Hot 100 in 1980. Since then, Steve has added to his catalog with live and studio records and maintains a faithful following through steady touring.

Steve Forbert performs at the New Legacy Concert Series in 2010.

In 2010, folk-rocker Forbert is still playing music and he has recently released Down In Flames - a long-lost album dating back to 1983. Originally un-released and now finally seeing the light of day Steve's release is now available in multiple formats including Deluxe Edition (with T-shirt, bonus live DVD from a 1982 club show, and signed and personalized to you from Steve) and Standard Edition. The 3-CD set also has bonus tracks and out-takes from the mid-eighties.

Steve performed at the New Legacy Concert Series at the Ringwood Library in New Jersey on January 31, 2010. Forbert, clad in dark colors, took his spot among the stacks of books to spin his stories through songs. Steve was solo armed with an acoustic guitar and a harmonica. His approach to the over twenty song set that he played was straight-forward with some chat and commentary throughout. On many numbers, Forbert foot-tapped to keep time adding a third rhythmic element to his music.

"It's a three disk set so beware," Steve mentioned after opening with a track from Down In Flames. Forbert mentioned that the room was "quiet as a mouse" but the crowd picked up later in the show. One fan replied, "It's a library, what do expect?"

The music continued with "Goin' Down To Laurel" which blended subtle instrumentation with singular storytelling. Forbert would sing "Tell me what I said" and the sold out crowd sang back the hook. He would employ this technique a few times during the concert to encourage audience participation. "The Beast of Ballyhoo (Rock Show)" kicked things up a notch and flowed on feisty fret work and foot taps.

"Hang On Again Till The Sun Shines" was a tapestry of tones with tales of cold days, dreams and New York City woven into the fabric of the tune. "All I Need To Do" was a crowd pleaser with folks softly spelling C-H-E-L-S-E-A the name of the girl who the song was about.

Forbert also tackled some serious issues of the day. "The Oil Song" was catchy yet caustic with its commentary on oil spills. Steve used the guitar, harmonica and foot stomps to punctuate his stinging points. "Stolen Identity" poked fun at the painful problem of identity theft with Steve strumming and singing about all the good times his second self was having on his stolen credit card.

Steve is also especially eco-conscious as his regular appearances at Clearwater festivals can attest. His classic "Good Planets Are Hard to Find" featured spunky string work combined with lyrical laments for the earth. During the concert folks were clapping, singing and snapping along with a few fans bantered back and forth with the good-natured Forbert.

Forbert is an American musical icon and producer who has worked with many of the best musicians in the business including Garry Tallent of the E Street Band and Benmont Tench of The Heartbreakers. Steve is also well-known for giving voice and life to the music of his fellow Meridian native Jimmie Rodgers - a country singer who was well-known in the early 20th century. Clipping a capo onto his guitar, Steve covered Rodger's plucky love song about "My Blue Eyed Jane".

The performer mentioned that this particular region has been very good to him over the years. So much so that he penned a funny number about the upper half of the Garden State. "Strange Names (North New Jersey's Got 'Em)" was a rolling friendly rant that name-checked many of the odd monikers used by towns citing Ho Ho Kus and Cheesequake as two that take the cake.

"What Kinda Guy" was hopping and humorous with its reflections of life. Other fan favorites included "My Seaside Brown Eyed Girl" with its visual lyrics. Before closing the set, Steve made a point of thanking Andrea Cahoon who is the director at the library responsible for it's music programs. "Romeo' Tune" was poetic with it's pretty picking and harmonizing harmonica.

Also performed during the two-hour engagement in northern Jersey was a startling cover of "Send In The Clowns", the stirring "Beautiful Diana" and the introspective song called "The American In Me".

The last number of the afternoon was a new song that's now available as an MP3 studio demo download from Steve's website. "Don't Look Down, Pollyanna!" featured Steve grazing the strings of his guitar with his thumbs as he sang about people and places impacted by the on-going national foreclosure crisis. The track is part of a seven song EP available at SteveForbert.com.

After the concert, Forbert was available for a meet and greet and to sell and sign CDs and tee shirts for his fans - thus, wrapping up another successful gig in Ringwood while adding to his legacy in the region.

Related Links: For more information on STEVE FORBERT and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -- SteveForbert.com | Ringwood Public Library | Search "New Legacy Concert Series" | Search "Steve Forbert"

Originally Published: 02/01/2010 on Kweevak.com