Curtis Stigers – Songs From My Kitchen Vol 1 – Album Review

Review By Darren McIntyre

Curtis Stigers is a jazz singer / songwriter / guitarist / saxaphone player originally from Boise, Idaho who was born and raised in Hollywood, California. Curtis began his career as a teenager playing in rock & blues bands and moved onto receive an education in Clarinet & Saxophone.

Curtis has worked with the likes of Elton John, Eric Clapton, Prince, Bonnie Raitt, Rod Stewart, The Allman Brothers & Joe Cocker, Curtis has given us 12 studio albums and drops his new album Songs From My Kitchen Vol 1 due for release in March, to coincide with this release Curtis is going on tour to promote his back catalogue and the new record so please sit back as I walk us through this fantastic new album.

Until You Were Gone – We kick off with a real soulful blues guitar pick before Curtis leans in with his soaring bluesy vocals that work so well with the acoustic strumming. A cool lap steel tone lingers throughout the track as we settle into this incredible opening number, the sweet bass kicks are controlling the groove as we let ourselves flow free in this cool composition. A strong mellow saxaphone drifts in and we are transported to another place as the tingling tones just wrap themselves around us as we feel the mesmerising vocals take this track to another place.

I Have Everything – A cool country feel oozes from the intro as we get a colossal upright bass that just settles us into this toe tapping track that just puts you at ease instantly. The sweet, mellow guitar licks are just flowing effortlessly through this awesome arrangement as we welcome Curtis back to the fold with this incredible number. The vocals are silky smooth and have depth. direction and really grab a hold of you as they just transport us to another place, the musicality is just a real hoe down of blues, country and jazz as the killer piano notes give this track something extra as the fantastic vocals really give this track everything.

Burn It Down – The crisp acoustic chords are grabbing our attention from the off as this slow, melodic number opens with cool piano tones that let the track soar and give us a real mellow feel. The killer bassline is hitting us with a real cool tone that allows the track to really express itself as we feel the blues inspired vocals tell their own story, the track is a real cool arrangement as we just settle back in our chair with a whisky and feel the intensity oozing from this thought provoking number. The tambourine tones let the song linger as Curtis lets his incredible vocals wrap themselves all around this real dar, brooding number as we are sucked into the story as it unfolds.

Don’t Look At Me That Way – Acoustic strumming chords ooze from the intro as Curtis comes in with dark, soulful vocals that just let us feel the depth of this charismatic musician. The bassline is just insane as it controls the direction of this cool number, the snare drum brushes let the rhythm section take us to somewhere new as this real cool composition drives onwards and opens up with sweet lap steel chords as Curtic delivers another saxophone masterclass with his precise playing that just grabs a hold of you and just allows us to feel the depth of this toe tapping number as we just get lost in the soulful vocals. The new album is just awesome as it really reflects the mood of Curtis as he delivers an album of from the heart tracks that mean something to him.

Old Fashioned – Hammond style keys linger through the intro as acoustic chords bring the track to life as Curtis comes in with dark, melodic vocals that just stop us in our tracks. The Lap steel licks are flowing effortlessly into this number as we get awesome backing vocals that just lift the whole arrangement, the musicality is just incredible as we feel every word of this incredible musician as he comes at us with this real cool album of thought provoking tracks that really come from the heart. The rhythm section is controlling the groove as it allows Curtis to really focus on the music and his first love saxophone as he throws down an incredble tone that lets this track really grab us, the whole track is a real mellow toned composition that just gives us the best of Curtis Stigers.

Good To Know You – The track kicks off with a real deep upright bass tone that just settles us into this real thought provoking track as the sweet acoustic picks come through and let this track shine. Hammond style keys are littered throughout the track and just let this incredible track leave it’s mark as we welcome back this fantastic musician, the soulful vocals are just incredible as they really balance out this toe tapping country, blues track as it builds and builds right in front of us. Curtis has lost none of his charismatic charm and seem to get better just like a fine wine as the texture of the track is smooth, delicious and just delivers on every level, this is a real thought provoking number that lets us float away with him as he drives onwards with ease as this toe tapping jazz infused number leaves it’s mark. This track really lets us know that Curtis is back and that he has lost none of his soulful tones as we are instantly put at ease with this fantastic new track.

Goodbye – Acoustic strumming chord let this track breathe as Curtis lets his soulful vocals lead us into another incredible arrangement that just instantly lets us flow to somewhere new. The piano tones are just incredible as the wrap themselves around the bassline as it delivers,dark, meaty tones that just take this track to another place let me tell you, the vocals are just incredible as they have lost none of their shine as Curtis showcases his versatility in the way he leads the track. The rhythm section is just working efflortlessly in the background and it really lets the composition flow.

It Doesn’t Have To Be Now – Killer dark bassline drops in and just lets the track breathe as Curtis brings his melodic, soulful vocals to this real country blues affair. The acoustic strumming chords are coming through and letting the track tell it’s own story as we just lose ourselves in the colossal tone that is just giving us a real tingly feeling as we lose ourselves in this phenomenal piece, the backing vocals really lift the song as Curtic leans in with a nice, mellow sax solo that works so well with the acoustic strumming tones that let us lose ourselves in this incredible new offering. The album is giving us everything we come to expect from this fantastic musician as he has lost none of his swagger, musicality and tone that is here in abundance.

Golden Thread – The vocal intensity shines through as Curtis lets himself tell us what he is all about as the cool acoustic strumming chords really let him soar in this real dark, mellow number that just shines. The whole track is just brimming with life as the killer bassline drops in and really delivers sweet, cool grooves that are just letting this track breathe. The vocals are strong, smooth and full of intensity as we just lose ourselves in the tone, texture of this awesome musician as he hits us with, thought provoking, heartfelt songs that let us know what this guy is all about, the tracks are short, sharp and deliver in spades as they tell their own story.

The Song – Acoustic strumming chords echo from the outset as we let Curtis tell his own story in this dark, brooding well thought out affair as is leads us down the road and won’t let us off. The mellow bassline is just grabbing us and letting us feel the depth of this real cool album as it rolls on and just keeps surprising us as Hammond style keys really let the track flow, the heavy chords are telling us that Curtis is giving this album his all as he really digs deep and delivers awesome words that are brought to life which is just awesome. The piano tones are letting the track roam free and just gives us a real sense of belonging as we race towards the finishing number.

Lighten Up (It’s Christmas) – We finish off with a wee Christmas number as Curtis brings us a softer side to him as he rolls through a little ditty that brings a smile to your face for sure. The rhythm section kicks in with anice snare drum beat as the cymbal snaps let the track breathe as Curtis lets his soulful vocals lead the track onwards, a dark, meaty bassline wraps itself around this number as we tap our toes to this fantasic number that brings in smooth, sweet, crisp guitar licks that are followed by another killer saxophone solo that is just incredible. The track is just a ice way to finish off a real nice, melodic album that just makes you smile.

Curtis Stigers –

Curtis Stigers – Vocals / Acoustic Guitar / Saxophone

Track Listing –

Until You Were Gone

I Have Everything

Burn It Down

Don’t Look At Me That Way

Old Fashioned

Good To Know You

Goodbye

It Doesn’t Have To Be Now

Golden Thread