• Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Topic: Stefan Schil

Well as mentioned elsewhere I received a few nice promos for review and having given them a good listen, I have come to the conclusion that Stefan Schill’s debut ‘Don’t Say A Word’ is not only the pick of the three, but indeed one of the best debut albums I’’ve heard in a long time.

I put it on firmly expecting blues rock. Instead I was presented with funky guitar lines, catchy rock tunes, strong choruses and vocal harmonies with hints of R&B, country and a few great blues songs thrown in for good measure. Each time I play it again I am astonished that such a cohesive and strong recording has been made by a Dutchman of such tender years. The album is outstanding. It blends the melodic sensibilties of John Mayer with the funk and commerical strength of Prince and the power of say Kings of Leon. The appeal of songs such as the opener Any Direction, Take On My Beliefs and It’s Gonna Be Alright is hard to achieve, Schil has surpassed by expectations with ease. That’s not to say that there is no blues songs, Game Called Love is a superb uptempo blues number, while Gone By Tomorrow has an older country feel and Last Goodbye is stripped back reflective song with dobro and harp. There’s great guitar work as shown on his youtube links, he also has a superb soulful voice, yet it’s not even about them, it’s the songs themselves that standout. This is an album that stands up to repeated listenings, and suggests a very promising future. It is released on the Provogue label in April.

It was not long ago I was raving about a German, this Dutchman while very different in style is equally assured. He’s supporting Philip Sayce on his UK and German tours in May. Make sure you see him then.

http://www.stefanschill.com


Andre, Suzanne, George have you seen this guy yet? I want a live review on my desk tomorrow!  big_smile

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk

2 Reply by Curby (edited by Curby 2010-03-09 05:22:36)

  • Curby
  • Curby
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  • Registered: 2008-12-19
  • Posts: 2,606

Re: Stefan Schil

What a talent!  Great discovery Duncan.  I predict there'll be alot of buzz next month with the release of Stefan's album.  He's right up there with the cream of young guitarists.  His tour with Phil Sayce is a must see event.

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Stefan Schil

Thanks for heads up Duncan.

I have noted his dates with Philip Sayce. Think I'll be doing the Bremen show in May (17th). As I have decided only to see acts I have never seen before this year (in an effort to reduce on last years overspend), they both qualify!

Unfortunately, depending how you look at it, there are so many exciting new acts on the market and on tour this year I think the budget will be blown again!

MikeH

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Stefan Schil

You're welcome Mike. That's an interesting approach to only see new acts and I fully agree with you that there are so many great young artists to see. While I am seeing a few I've seen before in the next few weeks, there are certainly some good ones coming up that I'm looking forward to seeing for the first time, and Stefan Schil is certainly one of them. I trust Henrik Freischlader will be another you will see, if you have not done so already. There's some great talent in mainland Europe making some very assured releases, which certainly match (or better) many of those eminating from the UK and USA. It can sometimes be hard to know where to start.

Incidently Provogue will release this month a compliation of some of the best work on their roster, and it includes some great songs:

1. Changes - Sayce, Philip 
2. When The Fire Hits The Sea - Bonamassa, Joe 
3. Love Song Of J Alfred Blues Rock, The - Trout, Walter 
4. We Got Some Rockin' To Do - Popa Chubby 
5. 'Ere's A Drink - Laddie, Mitch 
6. I Can Tell - McKeon, Scott 
7. Take On My Beliefs - Schill, Stefan 
8. Knighted By The Blues - Derringer, Rick 
9. Darkness, The - Landau, Michael & Robben Ford 
10. Railroad Boy - Gov't Mule 
11. Everything About You - Montgomery, Monte (1) 
12. Let It Shine - Norum, John 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Blues-Mee … =1-2-fkmr1

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: Stefan Schil

Hi Duncan,

Well I agree on all you said.
In Paris after the Joe show Ed van Zijl, the Provoguedirector, told me about Stefan Schil and if I knew him. I'm Dutch and know the bluesscene overhere good but I never heard of Stefan.He said he was very young and very very good. Ed  told me that  he just signed for Provogue.
So now I must have that CD!

There is a lot going on in Europe concerning new talent. So Americans get them to your country soon as possible!

Andre Wittebroek

  • From: Ruhrpott, Germany
  • Registered: 2010-02-06
  • Posts: 1,326

Re: Stefan Schil

andre wittebroek wrote:

Hi Duncan,

Well I agree on all you said.
In Paris after the Joe show Ed van Zijl, the Provoguedirector, told me about Stefan Schil and if I knew him. I'm Dutch and know the bluesscene overhere good but I never heard of Stefan.He said he was very young and very very good. Ed  told me that  he just signed for Provogue.
So now I must have that CD!

There is a lot going on in Europe concerning new talent. So Americans get them to your country soon as possible!

Andre Wittebroek

Yes, another youngster, out of the blue.
Stefan Schill will play at Cafe Wilhelmina in Eindhoven, 18 April.
Good opportunity to buy the CD.

  • From: Norddeutschland
  • Registered: 2008-12-03
  • Posts: 1,458

Re: Stefan Schil

Greenose wrote:

You're welcome Mike. That's an interesting approach to only see new acts and I fully agree with you that there are so many great young artists to see. While I am seeing a few I've seen before in the next few weeks, there are certainly some good ones coming up that I'm looking forward to seeing for the first time, and Stefan Schil is certainly one of them. I trust Henrik Freischlader will be another you will see, if you have not done so already. There's some great talent in mainland Europe making some very assured releases, which certainly match (or better) many of those eminating from the UK and USA. It can sometimes be hard to know where to start.

Incidently Provogue will release this month a compliation of some of the best work on their roster, and it includes some great songs:

1. Changes - Sayce, Philip 
2. When The Fire Hits The Sea - Bonamassa, Joe 
3. Love Song Of J Alfred Blues Rock, The - Trout, Walter 
4. We Got Some Rockin' To Do - Popa Chubby 
5. 'Ere's A Drink - Laddie, Mitch 
6. I Can Tell - McKeon, Scott 
7. Take On My Beliefs - Schill, Stefan 
8. Knighted By The Blues - Derringer, Rick 
9. Darkness, The - Landau, Michael & Robben Ford 
10. Railroad Boy - Gov't Mule 
11. Everything About You - Montgomery, Monte (1) 
12. Let It Shine - Norum, John 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Blues-Mee … =1-2-fkmr1

Your right Duncan, it is a bit radical to take this approach. I actually opted not to see Wishbone Ash for the first time in 8 years! Andy Powell will never forgive me. I daresay I shall wilt at some point. In fact I am stretching a point with Danny Bryant at the end of April, but am justifying on the basis that I have never seen him in Germany. Yeah, it is a bit tenuous I know. Aw to hell with it, you only live once.........

Thanks for that provogue release tip as well. that looks a good buy

No Hits, No Hype.......................Classic Rock Jan 2012
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Stefan Schil

Blues Sissi wrote:
andre wittebroek wrote:

Hi Duncan,

Well I agree on all you said.
In Paris after the Joe show Ed van Zijl, the Provoguedirector, told me about Stefan Schil and if I knew him. I'm Dutch and know the bluesscene overhere good but I never heard of Stefan.He said he was very young and very very good. Ed  told me that  he just signed for Provogue.
So now I must have that CD!

There is a lot going on in Europe concerning new talent. So Americans get them to your country soon as possible!

Andre Wittebroek

Yes, another youngster, out of the blue.
Stefan Schill will play at Cafe Wilhelmina in Eindhoven, 18 April.
Good opportunity to buy the CD.

Yes it would be, please report back if you do go! smile


hansamike wrote:

Your right Duncan, it is a bit radical to take this approach. I actually opted not to see Wishbone Ash for the first time in 8 years! Andy Powell will never forgive me.

He'd forgive you even less if you went to see Turner's Wishbone Ash instead!  big_smile  I digress. Anyway folks give Stefan a listen! smile

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk
  • From: Netherlands.
  • Registered: 2006-04-27
  • Posts: 2,186

Re: Stefan Schil

Duncan,
I can't go to see Stefan in Wilhelmina because I'll see Hans Theessink overhere at De Buurvrouw in Winterswijk. Have tickets already. Stefan will play more shows  so I'll try to see him soon as possible.

Andre Wittebroek

  • From: Cliftonville Kent England
  • Registered: 2006-07-30
  • Posts: 2,150

Re: Stefan Schil

Liking Stafan's sound some real meaningful blues stuff on listen, yeah Andre is right, Ed Van Zijl bigged up Stefan that night and is real clever in spotting different talent for sure .. one to watch

..................... Michael

Joe Bonamassa .......  His Greatest 3 Videos ... IMMHO   After Much Deliberation
3rd ...... Mountain Time / Rockpalast       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h01xa6NMsJo
2nd ...... Sloe Gin       /  Vienna            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRASS8O8ZnE           
1st ....... Blues Deluxe / The Borderline    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnl3E_KLxYg
  • Registered: 2008-02-14
  • Posts: 2,578

Re: Stefan Schil

Thanks for the comments guys. It does not surprise me that Stefan is so highly rated by Ed Van Zijl.
The album has great commerical appeal, probably more so than any other artist on Provogue - I could actually imagine hearing some of these songs on mainstream radio.
hame you can't make him this time Andre, I'm sure you will get another chance before too long. I'm sure there is something you could do with Blues magazine for him. I've had agrement from Blues Matters to base a feature around him once I've seen him in May. One to watch - make that one to see! smile

"The recently formed Edinburgh Blues Club has identified an appetite for the personal communication between musicians and audience that the blues long ago perfected." The Herald Newspaper (Scotland)
http://www.edinburgh-blues.uk