Those Sweet Reviews

Here we have the astonishingly talented and highly skilled guitarist and indie legend Steve Klatt of The Steve Klatt Project taking on a seemingly unexpected cover (and also a song and artist of whom brings back a whole lotta nostalgic memories and legendary musical moments in time) of Elton John’s strong and defiant musical statement “I’m Still Standing”. This is ramped up to warp speed-the mark of a great cover of another artist’s music is to give the song your own unique signature while retaining the song’s character which inspired the cover in the first place-with blistering drums (the first thing you hear is the opening blast from the drums announcing this version of “I’m Still Standing” with an apt (considering what’s to come) explosive fill), astounding fretwork from the guitars, solid and epic bass guitar and a defiant vocal which-when all combined here gives this cover a mighty kick into the musical stratosphere. Steve Klatt’s version of “I’m Still Standing” is the sonic full forced equivalent of a rocket taking off at astonishing velocity (like a rocket man perhaps? Couldn’t resist…) and going way out yonder. The guitar work here gives off lighting like sparks and flashes-again all instrumental parts; lead and rhythm sections reinforcing and giving the lyrical themes of this song a huge boost-this both honours the original version while taking the themes held throughout the original musically into supersonic territory. A great example of when you have the knowledge of the song you’re interpreting-like The Steve Klatt Project obviously has here-ultimately ought to inform where to take it sound design wise. This is one brilliant cover and interpretation of a classic. As said at the beginning here-this is the mark of a great cover song-The Steve Klatt Project fully delivers with this version having its own unique stamp while retaining all the elements of the original song. Awesome work here.

We open this piece with a blast of stunning musical virtuosity firing on all cylinders (and from each part of this outstanding collaboration-always something which will reflect in one song the encouragement and supporting one another’s gifts (all the hallmarks inherent in our community)-a microcosm of our indie community as it is and can be)) Most of these monolithic talents from our indie community need no introduction here- but the virtuosic guitar work from Steve Klatt, the supreme and astonishing vocal range of Joe Booe and the solid drumming from the legendary Alane J (who has an outstanding vocal range and brilliant multi instrumental skills in her own right to add to that brilliant drumming) announces this trio itself as “Runaround” opens up with a barrage of brilliance. This recent offering to pop up on the indie community’s radar definitely brings us the expected (and sometimes unexpected-which is even better) roller coaster ride through musical peaks and valleys from these three and somehow fits all this progressive indie rock music into 3 minutes (both good numbers there, but also 😮 on how many wow moments are packed into ONLY 3 minutes-that’s a feat in itself for the genre…) Indeed we have here yet another reminder of how deep the talent pool goes in our huge indie community-there are artists from all around our community who make us all proud. This is a great representation from just three indie legends out of a multitude of indie legends. “Runaround” is a stunning piece of musical excellence bringing us genuine awe and inspiration while also showing those in our indie scene the potential we’re each capable of attaining.