Steve Forbert, born in 1954 in Meridian, Mississippi, could easily be classified as a one-hit wonder for his song Romeo's Tune, which reached number 9 on the Billboard chart in 1980. The single, dedicated to the memory of Florence Ballard, came from the album Jackrabbit Slim, issued in 1979 by Nemperor/CBS Records. Critics hailed him at the time as "The new Bob Dylan" because of a similar vocal timbre and thoughtful songwriting. The front cover of Jackrabbit Slim encourages such comparisons with its simplicity: a black and white photo of Steve Forbert playing a well-worn Martin acoustic guitar with a capo on it, his shirt tinted green. He looks like a folk singer. The record was recorded in Nashville.

Personnel on Jackrabbit Slim:

  • John Simon: producer
  • Steve Forbert: vocals, guitar, and harmonica
  • Bobby Ogdin: piano
  • Paul Errico: organ and accordion
  • Jon Goin: lead guitar
  • Alan Freedman: guitar
  • Roger Clark: drums
  • Gunnar Gellote: drums
  • Bob Wray: bass
  • Jack Williams: bass
  • Jerry Bridges: bass
  • Mike Leech: bass
  • Bill Jones: saxophone
  • Ron Keller: trumpet
  • Dennis Good: trombone
  • The Shoals Sisters:
  • Ava Aldridge: backing vocals
  • Cindy Richardson: backing vocals
  • Marie Tomlinson: backing vocals

Discography

  • Alive on Arrival Nemperor, 1978.
  • Little Stevie Orbit Nemperor, 1980.
  • Steve Forbert Nemperor, 1982.
  • Streets Of This Town, 1988.
  • The American In Me, 1992.
  • Best of Steve Forbert: What Kinda Guy?
  • Be Here Now: Solo Live 1994
  • King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Steve Forbert
  • Mission of the Crossroad Palms Giant/Warner Records, 1995.
  • Here's Your Pizza 1998
  • Be Here Again:  Solo Live 1998
  • Rocking Horse Head Giant/Warner 1999.
  • Evergreen Boy 2000
  • Acoustic Live:  The WFUV Concert 2000
  • Live at the Bottom Line 2000
  • Young Guitar Days 2001
  • Any Old Time (Songs of Jimmie Rodgers) 2002
  • More Young Guitar Days 2002
  • Solo Live in Bethlehem 2002
  • Rock While I Can Rock:  The Geffen Years

External links

Official web site: http://www.steveforbert.com/