India Press Releases - 2004

22 January 2004

Noted U.S. Singer-Songwriter Steve Young To Perform On Jan 27

Calcutta, January 22 -- Even if you've never heard Steve Young, you know his songs. That's how a poster describes the internationally acclaimed American singer-songwriter Steve Young, referring to his myriad unforgettable compositions like "Lonesome, Orn'ry and Mean." Young, "darkly southern, deeply American, and one of the finest American Roots vocalists ever," is coming to Calcutta on January 27 for a recital at the American Center. Invitees to the program surely will hear a musician who combines elements of "gospel, soul, country, and rock while his guitar that is played is nothing short of phenomenal."

Steve Young, considered by many as the creator of a new genre of American music, grew up in Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. By the time he completed high school, he was playing and writing songs that had influences of folk, blues, and country, to which he had listened while traveling through the south. He later settled in California and started working with musicians like Gram Parsons, Van Dyke Parks and Stephen Stills. He embarked on a solo career there becoming an integral part of the movement that defined the California country-rock sound.

Today, with 13 albums and countless live performances, Steve Young has become a "world citizen," playing at festivals, theaters, arts centers, and clubs on five continents. It's no wonder that Young has been called the ambassador for American music and a student of other cultures.

The famous vocalist's major records include Renegade Picker, No Place to Fall, and Primal Young. In 2001 Oxford American honored him by including his two tracks, Long Way to Hollywood and Seven Bridges Road in its fifth annual music compilation CD. The American country singer Dolly Parton, who recorded "Seven Bridges Road" for her Grammy-nominated "Little Sparrow" CD in 2001, said, "All the songs that Steve writes are great songs." Others who have used Young's lyrics are Joan Baez, Hank Williams Jr., Rita Coolidge, Tom Russell, Eddy Arnold, and Waylon Jennings, the singer of "Lonesome..."

During his stay in Calcutta, Steve Young will also meet with local folk singers and give a lecture demonstration on American folk music at the Calcutta School of Music on January 28. He then leaves for Jamshedpur for a live performance, co-sponsored by the Tata Steel, at the SNTI auditorium on January 29.