The music of London-born harpist, singer, and composer Steve Baker is as accomplished as it is stylistically diverse. He has long enjoyed an international reputation as an innovative pioneer on the diatonic harmonica. As a songwriter, he covers a broad stylistic spectrum, from Americana and country to blues, rock, and even reggae. Whether it's snappy funk or dreamy ballads, Baker's pop sensibility always comes across clearly. His songs have catchy choruses, are deeply personal without resorting to clichés, and somehow also seem very English.
His first two solo releases – “Perfect Getaway” (2018) and “The Great Divide” (2020) – were recorded with an electric band and were, at times, correspondingly rocky. For his third solo album, Steve returns to his folk roots. With "Too Much Is Never Enough," he presents a collection of predominantly acoustic pieces, most of which were created during the pandemic.
The new songs were recorded by Uli Kringler in MCE Studio 3 with Jeff Walker (double bass & vocals) and Robert Carl Blank (guitar & vocals), Heinz Lichius (drums), and Yogi Jockusch (percussion). Uli contributed additional guitar parts, and Stefan Stoppok plays the zither on two songs, while Steve's daughter Gina sings harmony on one track.
The sound is stripped down to its essentials, a gripping and rhythmically sophisticated combination of sparse instrumentation and three-part vocal harmonies. Characterized by great dynamics, the sound alternates between airy openness and rich density. Steve uses his unmistakable harp style to create elegantly crafted solo passages that always serve the song. The result is an exciting, powerful, and appealing overall sound that perfectly supports his haunting lyricism.
And that brings us to the lyrics: Baker's new songs radiate attitude. He makes no secret of his convictions, with a collection of both political and deeply personal songs that unsparingly reflect and comment on our turbulent times. There's a certain similarity to the work of colleagues like Billy Bragg. With the exception of Bob Dylan's "I Dreamed I Saw Saint Augustine," all the songs are his own original compositions. With "Too Much Is Never Enough," Steve Baker comes closer to realizing his personal musical vision and presents his most uncompromising work to date.
01 Poison Chalice
02 Bad Blood
03 I Dreamed I Saw St. Augustine
04 Charles Delonde's Ghost
05 Take Me For A Fool
06 Distant Shore
07 Too Broken To Mend
08 Fool's Paradise
09 Terminal Road
10 Gina's Lullaby
