Steve Strongman
No Time Like Now
Reviewed by: Lauren Rosier
Canadian blues rock guitarist, Steve Strongman, returns with his latest record, No Time Like Now (Sonic Unyon Records), and plethora of legendary musicians performing alongside him on the record.
Strongman worked with producer Rob Szabo (A Natural Fact and Let Me Prove It To You) again on No Time Like Now and the two created a solid, guitar-driven record. Much of the focus of the record was on the guitar tones. Most of the electric guitar is a ‘59 reissue Gibson Les Paul and or any of his Gibson ES 335s.
No Time Like Now opens with the upbeat title track centered on a sick guitar riff. The theme of the song is about seizing the moment and not denying the potential for an incredible relationship: “let’s get down/to the lovin’/don’t deny the heat/don’t pretend/this ain’t nothing/I can feel the way/you’re looking at me/I’m not a fool baby.”
He talks about following your dreams and survival in the music business on “Bring The Hammer Down.” The track opens with guitar that just pulls you in and takes a hold of your ears from beginning to end.
While some people are obsessed with the fact of being rich monetarily, Strongman sings about being rich from non-materialistic things like a significant other, friends, family, and love on the track “Money In The Bank.”
A special cover of the song, “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet,” features legendary guitarist and longtime friend, Randy Bachman. His take on the song gives a respectful nod to the original while also adding his own flavor to it.
On “I’m A Man,” Strongman sticks with the sick guitar tones and pays respect to one of his favorite blues tunes, “Mannish Boy” by the legendary Muddy Waters.
No Time Like Now is a solid collection of blues rock songs from an artist that truly has a great understanding of the different elements of making a great blues record. The guitar-driven record proves successful focusing on the different guitar tones and how they influence the shape of each song.
Rating: Bad-Ass
