Stevie Coyle

"I listened to your CD: It's brilliant! I really mean that. I found it to be an incredibly visual experience ... I was enamored by its continuity - the way you occupied the spaces between songs was extraordinary: What a trip! I'll shout that from the rooftops!"

Barry Melton, late of Country Joe & The Fish - Stevie's Email

Chicago journalist David Royko nominated Stevie Coyle's Ten-In-One as one of his "10 Best CDs of 2009" list in The Village Voice's New York Pazz & Jop Critics' Poll. - Village Voice

The perceived (and generally accurate) wisdom about concept albums is that they are rubbish, yet Stevie Coyle's might be one of the few exceptions to the rule. "Might," because it's a strange piece of work, brimming with ideas but not completely focused (though that may be at least part of the point.

Ten-In-One is the name of the sideshow tent at a carnival, and across twelve songs Coyle examines various exhibits from an extensive cast of grotesques, including 'The Petrified Man,' a giant and a remarkably strange bird. Put together by a company of no fewer than eighteen players, the songs reference everything from The Beatles to jazz, Americana to folk, while between them are instrumental pieces, mere snippets, the sort of snatches you might hear while strolling down the midway. The whole effect is hugely evocative of twilight, the slight hint of danger; of not being in Kansas anymore.

Although the concept falters a little as the album nears its end, it's a largely successful work; brave, challenging, and one that repays repeated listening to catch all the nuances and sub-text.

- Jeremy Searle - Rock'N'Reel Magazine - UK

"After several albums with country-rockers The Waybacks, Coyle's solo debut is a wonderfully imagined concept album about American carny folk and circus showmen. The dozen picaresque songs, sometimes spoken and sometimes sung, mix folk, bluegrass, ragtime and roots-rock with evocative sound effects, and are driven by Coyle's own classy fingericking, backed by a virtuosic acoustic ensemble. It all works a treat, mining traditional indigenous music forms to illuminate a fascinating slice of vernacular American history in much the same way as Ry Cooder's Chavez Ravine and My Name Is Buddy." - Uncut Magazine - UK

We'd add that Steve Coyle's solo shows are outstanding.

Our recent House Concert with the incomparable Stevie Coyle ranks among the best shows we've had. Stevie's great song writing and amazing guitar playing were complimented by his humor, charm and exceptional rapport with the audience. He's a dynamite performer and a true professional who left everyone raving about the show. It was truly a wonderful evening and we can't wait to bring him back.

Russ & Julie
Russ & Julie's House Concerts
http://www.houseconcerts.us
www.myspace.com/russjuliehouseconcerts
http://www.youtube.com/russjuliehousecncrts - Folk Venue listserv

"When I speak to people who know The Waybacks, they always appreciate the humor, intelligence, and well-roundedness that Stevie brought to the band ... he gave it a light-hearted seriousness and a walking-on-air groundedness that had broad appeal without being watered dowm ..."
- Polly King, Village Concerts, Palmyra, VA - Polly King

Marin's Stevie Coyle, former guitarist, singer and co-founder of the Americana band the Waybacks, sets off on his own with this ambitious and impressive solo debut, a CD that's imaginative, intelligent, clever, highly skilled musically and fearlessly conceived in the spirit of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Instead of Mr. Kite, though, Coyle records a single day in the life of Mr. Oster, an unassuming and introspective Everyman who travels to a land Pink Floyd fans might recognize as "The Dark Side of the Moon."

Originally planned as a simple finger-picking guitar record, "Ten-In-One" grew into a circus of an album that takes listeners on a journey to a sideshow and back.

Produced by singer-songwriter Walter Strauss at the Treehouse in Larkspur, Coyle's hometown, the CD's 11 tracks showcase eight creative originals, one traditional tune and three covers, including "The Falcon" by Richard Farina and "Penny Wishes" by Marin's own Doug Adamz.

Coyle, who sings, plays guitar and lap steel, calls this collection of songs and instrumentals "runaway eclecticism," a description that says it all. The high caliber of the musicians who guest on this record - among them Mike Marshall, Philip Aaberg and Kit Walker - says something about the respect Coyle, a sought-after guitar teacher and regular contributor to Acoustic Guitar Magazine, has earned in the Bay Area music community.

"Ten-In-One" deserves repeated listening, and takes its place in my collection as one of the finest albums I've heard this year. - Paul Liberatore, Marin Independent Journal

"Ten-in-One" has the pioneer spirit of "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band" or the "12 Dreams of Dr. Sardonicus." There's a surprise around every corner. Like the works of the great musicians - back when they were in the artist business, not the music business - it doesn't fit in any genre; it stretches all over the place, like Silly Putty. There isn't just one joker in this deck: all the cards are twisted. Inquiring minds who like their music to take them new places will love it. - Bay Area Critic-At-Large