Ango-American Roots Music Current Album – “Too Much is Never Enough” – Timezone Records 2023
London-born Steve Baker has long been acknowledged as one of the great harmonica players, with an international reputation as an experienced and accomplished sideman. He is well known to many fans as the long-time accompanist of blues legend Abi Wallenstein and for his four CDs with the late guitar virtuoso Chris Jones, which are still regarded as groundbreaking. Since 2018, he has also been touring as the frontman of his band The LiveWires, releasing three highly acclaimed albums on Timezone Records that skilfully combine his astute lyrics with exciting original compositions. Baker’s music is stylistically diverse, with songs ranging from groovy Americana, blues and country to funk and rock.
A rich sound alternates with an airy openness, and the band’s memorable sound is characterised by astonishing dynamics. The songs radiate attitude and strike a deeply personal note that reflects our turbulent times. And throughout Baker’s inimitable harp playing never fails to impress.
Steve has worked with a wide range of artists throughout his professional career. In addition to Abi Wallenstein and Chris Jones, he has worked as a studio musician on hundreds of recordings, including Stoppok, Achim Reichel, Hazmat Modine, Big Daddy Wilson, Hannes Wader, Klaus Doldinger, Marla Glenn, Dionne Warwick and even the opportunistic pop star Dieter Bohlen. He has also played on various soundtracks for TV and film, including NDR-Tatort, Soul Kitchen by Fatih Akin, the title track of the award winning Rote Erde by Klaus Emmerich and the Bollywood blockbuster Sanju by star director Rajkumar Hirani.