NEWMAN

‘Under Southern Skies’ is the ninth album released by Newman, a band formed in 1997 by multi-talented UK musician Steve Newman. The album features a high quality production and excellent musicianship throughout. Steve Newman proves to be quite a talent and is the driving force behind the band that shares his name. He possesses an awesome voice that reminds me of Bob Catley, Gary Hughes and David Coverdale at times and he impresses immensely with his beautifully simplistic guitar playing with the different textures fitting perfectly on each track. He also contributes with the keyboards, which are effectively used, mainly just to fill out the sound. The album kicks off with the superbly crafted Magnum-esque ‘Killing Me’, the hypnotic repetitious riff being particularly attention grabbing. The compelling title track is built on a steady tempo, choppy guitars and an atmospheric keyboard lick. ‘Strength To Carry On’, which starts off stripped down to just acoustic guitar and vocals, is a stunning power ballad. ‘Ghost In The Night’, ‘Without Warning’ and album closer ‘Montserrat’ are all smouldering epic ballads with the catchy chorus on the former making it the standout track. ‘Under Southern Skies’, with its consistently strong melodies, first class arrangements, great atmosphere and epic feel comes highly recommended to all fans of AOR/soft rock.

LABEL:

FORMAT:

AOR Heaven

Album

UNDER SOUTHERN SKIES

Review by Dave Crewe

RUNNING TIME:

55:25

RELEASE DATE:

26th Sept 2011

TRACK LISTING

1) Killing Me
2) If He Loves You
3) Under Southern Skies
4) Strength To Carry On
5) Ghost In The Night
6) Without Warning
7) She's Gone
8) Fire With Fire
9) Save No Prisoners
10) Wish You Were Here
11) Montserrat

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

UK

"...consistently strong melodies, first class arrangements, great atmosphere and epic feel..."