Steve Louw & Big Sky
Released on 9th September 2002 by Sony Music, catalogue number CDEPC 8223.
Produced by Kevin Shirley.
Described by Steve Louw as a “Black & Blue rock album”, this record carries a character of it’s own, moving through layers of laid back blues rock through to more upbeat contemporary and folky storytellers.
Tracks
- Flying
- Carry Me To You
- Chainsaw Blues
- Your Love
- Shadows
- The Road Ahead
- The Story of Vicky And Dan
- You Are In Heaven
- Come Back Baby
- MP3
- Black Sun
All songs written by Steve Louw.
Musicians
- Steve Louw: vocals, acoustic guitar
- Anton Fig: drums, percussion
- Keith Lentin: bass, harmonica, acoustic guitar on track 9
- Blondie Chaplin: guitars, vocals
- Pat Thrall: guitars
- Adam Holzman: keyboards
Reviews
MP3 by STEVE LOUW & BIG SKY
Seems we have a new theme song at SAmp3.com! It is called ‘MP3’, and it is by Steve Louw. ‘MP3’ is one of the songs on ‘Beyond The Blue’, the just-released fourth studio album by Steve Louw and Big Sky.
‘MP3’ offers Steve Louw’s view on this new way of promoting music online. ‘Beyond The Blue’ has 11 songs including ‘Flying’, ‘Chainsaw Blues’, ‘The Road Ahead’ and ‘The Story Of Vicky And Dan’, and features drummer Anton Fig (ex-Hammak, ex-Spider, currently with Paul Schafer’s house band on the David Letterman Show in the USA), Keith Lentin (ex-Alpha Set, ex-Hammak, ex-Spider, bass), Blondie Chaplin (ex-Flames, ex-Beach Boys, ex-Rolling Stones, guitar, backing vocals), Pat Thrall (ex-Asia, ex-Meatloaf, ex-Hughes/Thrall, guitar), Adam Holzman (ex-Miles Davis, ex-Chaka Khan, piano and keyboards), and Steve Louw on acoustic guitar and vocals. ‘Beyond The Blue’ was produced and mixed by Kevin Shirley at Hit Factory in New York City.
Here’s an extract from the lyrics of the song ‘MP3’:
“The MP3 means a lot to me,
I’m back on my feet,
I’m not down on my knees;
The MP3 means a lot to me,
You get your tunes,
I get my royalties.”
SAmp3.com is about promoting and marketing SA music online to encourage sales of CDs in South Africa and internationally. Many SA labels and artists already understand this, and SAmp3.com is getting flooded with songs from new, unsigned, and unheard artists, as well as old campaigners like Steve Louw, Koos Kombuis, Roger Lucey, Piet Botha, Sons Of Trout and Anton Goosen.
— Stephen Segerman & Brian Currin, 14 September 2002
“An impressive effort from Louw, one of this country’s best and most confident song writers, … marries the sounds of early U2, Tom Petty and Rodger Waters with the strains of Louw’s acoustic guitar … This fine album is proudly South Africa.”
MAIL & GUARDIAN
Review of Big Sky’s latest release Beyond the Blue
Beyond the Blue sal Steve Louw & Big Sky se aanhangers ook gelukig maak.
Theunis Engelbrecht
RAPPORT
Louw is onmiskenbaar en onteenseglik in oorspronklike, begaafde en produktiewe rockliedjieskrywer wat deur die jare al outentieke radiotreffers soos “One cut with a knife” en “Strange room” ingeryg het.
Gabriel Bothma
DIE BURGER
Big Sky – still a favourite of mine. Steve and co went Slow Dancing with my listeners.
Leigh Barrett
KRVM radio station in Oregon USA
Big Sky … an exceptional live act with an arsenal of renowned musicians sharing the stage.
Christina Kennedy
THE CITIZEN Spotlight
Needing little introduction, Big Sky is a local music legend, and they are still pulling out all the top-notch stops.
TOP FORTY
Steve Louw is a world-class talent … a true national treasure.
CAPE REVIEW
Big Sky’s songs capture the unique imagery and retell it in a rock ‘n roll, jeans, cowboy boots way.
THE CAPE TIMES
Beyond The Blue
Steve Louw & Big Sky are well known names in the area of South African contemporary rock. Steve debuted in 1984 with All Night Radio’s “The Heart’s The Best Part”, an album overseen by E- Streeter and Springsteen sidekick, Steven van Zandt.
In April 2002 Steve arrived in New York City to complete recording on his 7th album.
As usual an impressive ensemble of musicians we’re gathered to meet with producer Kevin Shirley (Louws old sidekick) and before anyone even realised it , Steve Louw & Big Sky had begun work on their next album “Beyond The Blue”.
A few weeks later ‘Beyond The Blue’ was created and ready to return home….
Described by Steve as a “Black & Blue rock album”, this record carries a character of it’s own, moving through layers of laid back blues rock through to more upbeat contemporary and folky storytellers.
‘Beyond The Blue”s introductory track “Flying” begins the album from a point of depth and reflection, the lyrics (although clearly of deep personal meaning to the writer) carry relevance for all of us. This flavour is continued into “Carry Me To You” a serene track, lyrically offering a hopeful return to one’s lost love.
“Chainsaw Blue’s” moves the album into Blues Rock with the warm presence of a character filled lead guitar accompanying the quirky lead vocal. “Your Love” a sentimental ballad brings us back to a straight blues sound, the smoothness of this track is hypnotic and allows the listener an insight into the heart of Steve Louw.
Next up is “Shadows” a track initially draped in ambience, that grows into a determined yet tragic love story. “The Road Ahead” the album’s first radio single is next up, a more typical Steve Louw track, this song echoes the determination of the artist, symbolising strength through Rock n Roll (“She’s still young we’re getting old …”).
“The Story of Vicky and Dan” brings the album’s storytelling aspect to a head with the charming story of a young couple getting together in the romantic, poverty stricken world of the artist and musician – does it have a happy ending ?? – you’ll have to listen for yourself. Steve confesses that this track was actually inspired by the story of Charlize Theron and her rise to stardom from Jo’burgs East Rand to Hollywood.
“You Are In Heaven” a beautiful lullaby about a loved one lost, the emotions conveyed in this track are illustrated in a way all of us will well appreciate when we face a similarly bitter day.
“Come Back Baby” echoes the final section of the record, with a Steve Louw typical blues guitar and vocal hook, Blondie Chaplin features prominently on backing vocals, adding to the melodrama of a man’s love and loss.
Next is “MP3”, an upbeat folky sounding construction of a modern themed story about a broke musician associating himself with the newer wider world of the modern record industry. The song actually gives some rather good advice for young muso’s starting out .. – what is that advice ?? buy the record …!!
And finally into “Black Sun” almost a blues standard, and an appropriate ending to an album tainted with emotion and carried by the song writing skill of one of the strongest musical heads in South African rock.
“Beyond The Blue” has been constructed to be a quality product for quality people, produced by Kevin Shirley in New York City and featuring amongst the best in former South African blues rock musicianship and technology. Buy it, listen to it, be inspired by it …..
Reprinted from: SA Sounds
Lyrics
Flying
Disappear into your eyes
I can swim, I can fly
Drink the water from your well
Dive deep under your spell
Down down, down down
Where the water flows from the mountain
I’ll take you
Where the eagle flies through the clouds
I’ll wait for you
Flying, flying, flying back to you
Crying, crying, crying over you
Lying down by your side
I can float, I can fly
Drink the water from your bowl
Dive deep to your soul
Down down, down down
Down down, down down
Where the water flows from the mountain
I’ll take you
Where the eagle flies through the clouds
I’ll wait for you
Flying, flying, flying back to you
Lying, lying, lying next to you
Crying, crying, crying over you
Carry Me To You
You lived so I could live
You gave me your love
A million times
These thoughts are in my mind
Leaves me walking down this street
Let these tears come and set me free
Let the sky fall down on me
Well, I’m longing for you today
300 hours since you went away
Think I’ll dive down into the sea
Find someone to carry me
Away to you
Away to you
You loved so I could love
You gave yourself ten thousand times
You said I’m just a fool
But there’s no fool like you
Left me longing for you so much
Longing for your every touch
Just to hear your voice once more
Well, I’m longing for you today
300 hours since you went away
Think I’ll dive down into the sea
Find someone to carry me
Away to you
Away to you
Repeat
Well, I’m longing oh for you
There’s no one who loved the way that you do
The world’s gone quiet without you around
Loving us all never put nobody down
Carry me to you
Chainsaw Blues
You got my chainsaw running
I’m in your hands
You start me up, I’ll cut your land
Clear your woods and I’ll cut your planks
Feel my saw, it’ll cut your hand
Oh, mamma, oh mamma, oh
It feels so good
I got my chainsaw running
I’m cutting wood
I got my chainsaw running
It’s running hot
Cutting down with all I’ve got
I’ll split your logs and you can cut my planks
I’ll meet you down by the riverbank
Oh, mamma, oh mamma, oh
It feels so good
We’ll keep our chainsaws running
Till we’ve cleared this wood
I got my chainsaw running
I’m in your hands
You start me up, I’ll cut your land
Clear your woods, babe, I’ll cut your planks
Feel my saw, it’ll cut your hand
Oh mamma, oh mamma, oh
It feels so good
I got my chainsaw running
I’m just cutting wood
Cut some wood, babe
Your Love
If I could only hold you
Feel your heartbeat
I could get up, and stand up
Stand up on my feet
They say I must be strong
Be strong, and not weak
But all my dreams are empty
And my tongue just can’t speak
Dark clouds on the horizon
And the sun just can’t shine
So I just hold your love
So close to my mind
I can feel your love
Breaking down this door
I can feel your love
Feel your arms once more
Will I ever see
Your smiling face again
Will I ever hear
Your voice say my name
If I could only feel
Your loving arms again
I can see you waiting for me
Outside in the rain
Dark clouds on the horizon
And the sun just can’t shine
So I just hold your love
So close to my mind
I can feel your love
Breaking down this door
I can feel your love
Feel your arms once more
Take me in your love
Wrap me up once more
Hold me in your love
Unlock this door
Shadows
This town’s full of desperate men
All trying to make their score
I think I’m heading out of here
I can’t take it anymore
When I look towards the horizon
All I see is clouds
There were times
When I could see my way clear
I can’t see it now
Now the blood’s run cold
That flows through my veins
I’d like to cut and hold you
Just to feel the pain
Never thought I’d feel this way
About you now
Never thought I’d look for you
Where the sun goes down
Will I see you in the morning?
Will you wait for me somewhere?
Or will I wake to find shadows
Only to taste tears
The only time I could meet you
Will be when I reach that place
Where you’ve been hiding out
With that smile on your face
Been so long since I’ve seen you
Will I see you again?
I wish that I could just hold you
It would ease my pain
Will I see you in the morning?
Will you wait for me somewhere?
Or will I wake, to find shadows
Only to taste tears
The streets of this town are empty
Tears falling like rain
Petals falling one by one
Crying out in pain
Your face is tattoo’d in my mind
I won’t see you again
I look for you where we once walked
I’m calling out your name
Will I see you in the morning?
Will you wait for me somewhere?
Or will I wake, to find shadows
Only to taste tears
Repeat
The Road Ahead
I’ll stand by you
I’ll take your hand
I’ll walk with you tonight
To the water across the sand
Days of dust nights of light
Planets streaking across the skies
Ancient spirits came at night
Laid their hands upon my eyes
Where will we go where will we go
When we walk into the light
Rock and roll rock and roll
Showed me how to soothe my soul
Ancient spirits held my head
Showed me where to make my bed
Showed me where to find my soul
Showed me how to rock and roll
Where will we go where will we go
To our dreams into the light
Rock and roll rock and roll
She’s still young we’re getting old
Looking for the road ahead
We found ourselves instead
We’ll find water for our souls
Traded in silver and gold
Where will we go where will we go
When we walk into the light
Rock and roll rock and roll
Showed me how to soothe my soul
Where will we go where will we go
To our dreams into the light
Rock and roll rock and roll
She’s still young we’re getting old
Where will we go where will we go
To our dreams into the light
Rock and roll rock and roll
She’s still young we’re getting old
The Story of Vicky And Dan
I’ll tell you a story ‘bout Vicky and Dan
Vicky sold burgers from the back of her van
Served the office workers with a smile on her face
But she dreamt of Hollywood and getting out of this place
Dan rode his bike through the traffic all day
With a bag on his shoulders, and a grin on his face
He played drums in a rock band at night
The girls all loved him, the guys said he’s alright
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She was a lover, he was a man
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
He was her boy, he was her man
He played for no money, but with his sticks in his hand
He felt like a fighter, he felt like a man
Vicky served drinks behind the bar all night
When she saw Dan playing, she felt alright
They shared an apartment at the top of some stairs
With a hole in the roof, a bed, and some chairs
Dan quit his job and played drums all day long
Then his band got a contract and some money for his songs
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She loved him so, he was her man
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
He loves her just as much as he can
He went on the road and Vicky she stayed home
She dreamt of a life that she’d never known
He called her at night, to tell her the news
Then the calls stopped coming
She didn’t know what to do
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She just couldn’t understand
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She loved him so, and he just ran
She went to the bank to draw out all her money
But the teller said no, “I’m so sorry Honey”
Her eyes were blazing, her voice cut like a knife
She said, “You give me my money, I’ll give you your life”
The bank was quiet, you could hear a pin drop
Then the Hollywood agent said, “you’re going to the top”
He signed her up, right then and there
With a tear in his eyes, as the people all cheered
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She was a star; he had the boys in the band
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
He broke her heart, but he was still her man
Dan saw Vicky, from the back row
Of the movies in Bozeman where he was playing a show
He knew he’d thrown away the love of his life
He knew that Vicky should have been his wife
Walked out of the movies into the night
He never saw the snowplough coming from his right
Left him lying stiff, at twenty below
On the plains on Montana, Dan had played his last show
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
She loved him so, he was her man
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
He broke her heart, but he was still her man
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
Why couldn’t he just understand
Vicky and Dan, Vicky and Dan
When you find love, take it with both hands
You Are In Heaven
Going to take you, back with me
Back here where you belong
Take you in my loving arms, with me in this song
Where you’ll be now, forever
No one will take you away
Safe at home now, forever young
You’re back home to stay
But you are in Heaven
You’re home to stay
You were born for Heaven
Oh, but you’ve gone
So far away
In the wind, and, in the rain, and
You’re up there in the sun
With all of your loves, you are together now
You all are one
My heart is broken into pieces so small
I look for you
Every sign I see, every bird that flies
I see you
But you are in heaven
You’re home to stay
You were born for Heaven
Oh, but you‘ve gone
So far away
Every day that breaks, every night that falls
I think of you
You walked with me, you talked to me
Now what can I do
You walked along, you sang my songs
Each step of the way
Now you you’ve gone, now that I’m alone
Don’t know what to say
‘Cept you are in Heaven
You’re home to stay
You were born for Heaven
Oh, but you’ve gone
So far away
You are in Heaven
You’re home to stay
You were born for Heaven
Oh, but you’ve gone
So far away.
Come Back Baby
My mother’s up in the universe
And rock and roll ain’t about to die
My mind’s made up, it happened kind of quickly
In the blink of an eye
And you carried me, and it was such a heavy load
And you walked along with me
Every step of the road
Come back, baby, won’t you come back home
Well, I need you I’m all alone
Come back, baby, just come back home
I need you, pick up the phone
The policeman knocked on my door
He said, “please sir, don’t cry”
I sat down, with my head in my hands
Couldn’t even ask why
I could drive your car so you could ride my bike
Days and nights of wondering about
Sunshine, rain, grey skies
Come back, baby, won’t you come back home
‘Cause I need you, I’m all alone
Come back, baby, come back home
I need you, pick up the phone
It’s a rocky road stretching on forever
Dust is getting into my eyes
I’m winding down, to the shining river
Take off my clothes and fly
And you carried me, and it was such a heavy load
And you walked along with me
Every step of the road
I could drive your car so you could ride my bike
Days and nights of wondering about
Sunshine, rain, grey skies
Come back, baby, won’t you come back home
‘Cause I need you, I’m all alone
Come back, baby, come back home
I need you, pick up the phone
MP3
I’m sitting on the porch singing to you
You make the lunch, ask me what I’m going to do
Can’t you get a job, quit hanging around
My agent said the big one’s coming down
The MP3 means a lot to me
I’m back on my feet, I’m not down on my knees
The MP3 means a lot to me
You get your tunes
I get my royalties
The light in the living room’s hanging by a wire
The clothes on the floor getting higher and higher
Can’t you see you’re driving me crazy
Can’t you see you’re just born lazy
The MP3 means a lot to me
I’m back on my feet, I’m not down on my knees
The MP3 means a lot to me
You get your tunes
I get my royalties
I’ve been waiting for the big one, now it’s come along
I’ve found a way to sell my songs
Check out my funky style online
Take me home with you anytime
I’m going online to sell my songs
The MP3 means a lot to me
I don’t need the record company along
The MP3 means a lot to me
Get what you need, get what you please
The MP3 means a lot to me
You get your tunes
I get my royalties
The MP3 means a lot to me
I’m back on my feet, I’m not down on my knees
The MP3 means a lot to me
I’m back on my feet, I’m not down on my knees
The MP3 means a lot to me
Black Sun
Ever since the DJ man
Came on the radio to say
Bad moon’s going to shine on me
Shine on down another day
I feel like some pieces have been lost
Feels like my wires, they’ve been crossed
You walked in, tears, in your eyes
I looked at you and I began to cry
It’s a black sun going to shine today
It’s a bad moon brought these tears to stay
Feels like some pieces have been lost
Feels like my wires, they’ve been crossed
Going to walk right out this door
I’m not going to see you no more
I’m not going to ask why
‘Cause someday we all going to die
Things been found and things been lost
I can’t keep count; I can’t count the cost
I’ve felt love, I’ve felt loss
I felt like I’ve been double-crossed
So many days, so many nights
I’ve lain awake and I’ve searched the skies
For just one trace of you
For something I could relate to
Forty days since you’ve been gone
It’s a bad moon a black sun
It’s a bad moon a black sun
It’s a bad moon a black sun
It’s a bad moon a black sun
Steve Louw 
3 thoughts on “Beyond The Blue”