Steve Unruh - 71319 Live at Monforti Manor (2020)

Steve UNRUH has been producing some of the deepest, most organic true-to-life music around for nearly a decade. This one-man band draws influences from '70s progressive bands like YES and JETHRO TULL as well as the folk and bluegrass scenes. Blending an earthy, acoustic three-piece band sound with soaring violins, cheerful mandolin, flute, the occasional keyboard and electric guitar, and a voice falling somewhere between Jon ANDERSON and Ian ANDERSON, Steve UNRUH is sure to appeal to fans of any genre of rock, folk, bluegrass, and progressive music less abrasive than DREAM THEATER or SAVATAGE.

Steve UNRUH released "Believe?" in 1997, opening the door to a whole new genre. "Believe?" is Steve's most organic album to date, almost carrying the feel and dynamics of a classical album (don't worry, this is NOT a sleeper album!). "Believe?" is divided into two sections, the first resembling journal entries from a relationship on the rocks and the second the eventual resolution of the problems and a lifting of spirits. Highly recommended.

In 1998 came "The Beginning of a New Day," in which all the elements introduced on "Believe?" were honed and demonstrated in top form. The multi-layered vocal harmonies, the earthy rock feel, the well-timed massive orchestrations... all the cards were laid on the table here, and "The Beginning of a New Day" absolutely shines. For anyone looking for a place to start sampling STEVE's music, this is it. The entire spectrum is represented here, and beautifully so.

In 2001 came "Two Little Awakenings," essentially an album of mini-epics (and one not-so-mini epic) showcasing STEVE's intricate guitarwork and orchestration. The instrumental and thematic interplay on this album supercedes most mainline progressive concept albums, and the depth and beauty (oh, those violins!) will keep any listener entranced. For those looking to get at the heart of what STEVE UNRUH is about, who enjoy epic-length works with a lot going on under the surface, this is your dream come true.

2002 brought "Invisible Symphony," an instrumental album blending Classical, jazz, folk, world music, and rock in a sound both signature to Steve and not quite like anything else he'd recorded thus far. Fusion fans, take heed: this album rocks. There are both musical and emotional journeys to be had on this album. Very highly recommended.

2004 brought a departure from normal, the album "Out of the Ashes" that stands apart from the rest of Steve's material as the most focused and direct. On "Out of the Ashes" Steve takes a long, hard look at the war on terror/Iraq and finds more than a little lacking in the mainline explanations for what's going on. Despite the theme Steve manages to pull of some of his most beautiful and catchiest melodies to date, and the songs transcend the situation to leave lasting lessons. For those who like their prog deep, catchy, and heavy (not METALLICA heavy, but "2112" or "The Gates of Delirium" heavy), this album will appeal to you.

In 2005 Steve took the best elements of "The Beginning of a New Day," the high points of "Two Little Awakenings," threw in a sprinkle of "Moonflower"-era SANTANA, and released the soul-searching journey "Song to the Sky." While all of Steve's work is aural bliss, not since "The Beginning of a New Day" has so much ground been covered so flawlessly on a single disc. With "Song to the Sky" Steve shows that he's just a guy like us all, that he's going through the same things we all go through, and expresses the emotions so beautifully through music that one can't help but listen to what he has to say. This album is highly recommended for anyone interested in Steve's music.