Birds of Winter by Steve and Kristi Nebel

, PO Box 5764, Tacoma, WA 98415, USA; PHONE: 253-573-1504; EMAIL: Mr_Madrone@msn.com; URL: http://www.geocities.com/steveandkristinebel/

Reviewed by Kevin Slick 6/2/99.

Steve and Kristi Nebel Bio

Americana duo, and peace activists, Steve and Kristi Nebel, recently returned from their third U.K. tour, are currently promoting their latest CD, "Nobody's Hero". This internationally touring duo has been performing together for fifteen years, recorded six albums as a duo, and three albums as founding members of "The Madrones" and "The Filucies". Singer/guitarist Steve Nebel is the primary songwriter in the duo, supported by vocals and bass guitar from Kristi Nebel.

Here are some comments from abroad and home about the work of Steve and Kristi Nebel, both live and recorded:

"This was a joint presentation of love, peace and freedom with nature, in their own music encapsulated in the title of their latest CD offering 'Bohemian Outback'. Steve`s thoughtful guitar and flowing, lyrical style, matched by crystal clear vocalising and gentle electric bass playing from Kristi prove a compelling musical vehicle for transporting the listener along with them on their journey from Tacoma, Washington State.

"Beautiful stuff ! But somehow it`s also something more. I was reminded of Paxton`s exuberance, and songs reflecting so vividly the country he comes from; the heartfelt concerns and perceptions of nature in 'The Crow', and a sense of how humanity "treats" itself, and it`s privileged leaseholding on this planet in 'Harbor Island' . There was Paxtonesque fun-poking in 'Superman`s Dillema', and Steve`s perceptive 'Lillian`s World' was for me his strongest writing. Kristi`s wonderful voice was most powerfully in evidence in 'On Fishermen', written along with Steve."

Bob Benbow, retired lorry driver, and co-organizer Acoustic Music Club, Leicester, UK

What a great night we had with you . . . The club meets on Tuesday and I'm sure that you'll still be the topic of conversation. . . . Please let us know when you will be back this way again and the sooner the better. From a fan for life,

Regards Ray [Donnelly] - Louth Folk Club organizer, Louth, Lincolnshire, UK.

About 'Bohemian Outback': "I think it's the best thing you've ever put out . . . [Go Out To]Alberta is so good I wanna do it myself. The writing is sharp as a Gillette Twinedge." - Thaddeus Spae

"No one exemplifies the socially aware musician better than Steve and Kristi Nebel. Steve and Kristi do a truly wonderful job of combining searing social concern about war and peace with a delightful spirit of love and happiness. Kristi . . . sings with a hauntingly beautiful voice which is at once ethereal and earthy." Geoff Bard, Victory Review

The Nebels are known for their "occupationally correct" songs dealing with life in Alaska and northwestern Canada. In the winter of 1985 they left all of their worldly possessions in their rented house in Seattle (they hired a friend to pack the house and put their stuff in storage) for a job playing music in Nome, Alaska, where they spent five months. Eventually they played from Nome to Ketchikan, and Dawson City to Prince George between 1985 and 1991, building a repertoire of songs about the people they met, in 1990 releasing those songs in an album, "Taking Off". Rusty Miller of "Victory Review" says of this album "Some of it makes me laugh. Some of it makes me cry. Some of it makes me real humble . . . but if they were to convene a concert . . . I'd scheme hard for a percentage of the gate." Denise Sofranko of "Dirty Linen" says "the Nebels know how to take an interesting subject, draw you into the tale, and make you care about the people and places they chronicle".

The original songs performed by Steve & Kristi Nebel have a folk or folk-rock sound with songs about people they've met that define the relationships they've shared. They have played Seattle pubs, concert venues and produced concerts for their community. As a duo recently, they recently played WSU Kennewick, Washington History Museum (Alaskan songs for their Klondike exhibit), Olympia Harbor Days, Poulsbo Arts By The Bay, The Pacific Science Center in Seattle and Lark at the Mountain Music Festival. In 2001, 2003, and 2004 they toured the United Kingdom from Southampton, England to Argyll, Scotland, and in 2002 they played 29 dates in 54 days in the U.K. They have volunteered in many capacities as members of United For Peace of Pierce County, including a benefit concert, and peace rallies. The Nebels currently live in their 107 year old house in Tacoma, WA. Contact Kristi Nebel at (253)573-1504, or steveandkristinebel@yahoo.com

http://www.geocities.com/steveandkristinebel

P.O. Box 5764, Tacoma, WA 98415-0764

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