Steve and Kristi Nebel
Tacoma, Washington, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1977 | INDIE
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Steve and Kristi Nebel
“Raven Speaks”
Singers, songwriters, musicians, and peace activists Steve and Kristi Nebel (pronounced “knee-bull”) certainly make beautiful music together. The casual listener might generalize their work as folk, or easy listening, but their music is so much more than that. The couple’s creative artistry shines so brightly on this unique album, and past releases that perhaps “American music for all people” better suits the breadth of their repertoire as their socially conscious songs embrace all of humanity with compassion and warmth.
“Raven Speaks” offers so much variety you will be listening to it for a good long time. It includes 18 tracks altogether, making it a great value in which to invest your music money.
Steve Nebel wrote all but one song on the album, the Irish traditional anti-war and anti-recruiting song, “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye”, perhaps more widely known as “When Johnny Comes Marching Home”. “Beer, Beautiful Beer” he co-wrote with Toby Hanson, who plays accordion on this song, and “Down At The Neighborhood”, a happy little song that swings with Latin flavor and poignant lyrics that paint a picture of street life on the block. “Down at the neighborhood/you got your corner deli/sellin’ booze to the winos/ who drink it in the alleyway/. . . you got your little children/You got your African Americans/They got Latinos too/They’ve got Vietnamese kids/You got your native Americans/Down at the neighborhood/They got white kids too!”
Kristi Nebel is a fantastic singer, with a strong voice that is both clear and clean. Steve Nebel has a rich and genteel voice that brings to mind such great minstrels as Burl Ives, and Roger Whittaker. Best of all, the listener can understand every word of the poetic lyrics that they sing, when combined with the music, give the album its’ heft.
The couple takes turns on lead vocals, which offers nice variety. The provide backup vocals for each other as well. Sometimes they sing in harmony, as in the song “All”. Cellist John Simpson plays beautifully on this track, his instrument blending nicely with Kristi Nebel’s bass.
Numerous other musicians contributed to “Raven Speaks”, as well - Mike Friel, and Denali Williams drums; Joe Debenedictis, piano; David Rea, lead guitar; Orville Johnson, dobro, electric guitar; Country Dave Harmonson, pedal steel guitar; Mike Saunders, bodhran; and Mark Graham, Gerry Sperry, and J.W. Sparrow, harmonica.
David Michael plays harp on “The Crow.” Steve Nebel sings of the “Wily raven,” so often misunderstood: “Some say the crow is cruel and dirty/some observe that he is free/. . . sometimes the crow reminds me of me.”
Duane Niatum offers spoken word for the seventh track, his poem titled “Raven,” about the demise of traditional Native American ways of life as progress takes over in the advance of steel and concrete . . . the fire cooled to cold.” Her reads his works “Raven Dance,” and “The Dice Changer” later on the CD.
Based in Tacoma, the Nebels travel the world performing. Reviewed by Matt Nagle – The Tacoma Weekly – November 30th, 2008.
- The Tacoma Weekly
Discography
CDs
Taking Off
Out of the Tangled Years (as "Nebel")
Birds of Winter
Big Red Smile
Photos
Bio
Steve and Kristi Nebel (pron. knee bull) learned their art during twenty years on the road performing their own songs in folk clubs, and at festivals. They just returned from a successful return tour of England and Scotland, wherein Steve’s songs have earned a loyal following. Each is an accomplished instrumentalist having played many styles of music over their years of experience. Kristi plays bass guitar, and Steve plays guitar.
Kristi recorded a solo western swing and Americana in CD in 2011. In 2014 one of the songs CD was nominated song of the year by the Academy of Western Artists, and she made it to the top five for female performer of the year. Her band, “Cowgirl’s Dream” is recording its’ first CD.
They are known for the Steve’s socially conscious, and for their working portrayals of fishermen and common people in their songs. “Raven Speaks” is a collaboration with Native American poet Duane Niatum. It is a commentary on global climate change using “Raven” of Native American mythology as a main character in some of the songs, and certainly in Niatum’s poetry.
About the songs in this project came the following quote:
"I think some of the songs are really quite extraordinary . . . -- Bob Sherman, "Woody's Children" WFUV, New York. The album was picked to be among the top ten of the year by Sherman for his award-winning show.
Their most recent production, “Tandem”, is the most sparse of their recordings and features only the bass guitar, and guitar along with their two voices. “Tandem”, unlike their other recordings, was recorded in their studio "live". It is a genuine "do-it-yourself" recording.
‘ “Angels of the Road’ has held me captive since I first heard it. . . the intensity of this song sung live puts it over the top. “It’s only faith, something that you know. When the world has given up on you there’s a place where you can go…” Kristi’s beautiful voice is powerful on this haunting poem.” J.W. McClure, Victory Review
They have recorded 10 CDs, and are well known in the UK where they have worked 9 tours in the UK playing UK festivals and folk clubs. They played Fylde Folk Festival twice, Baafest twice, the Moor and Coast Festival in Whitby, Captain Cook Festival in Middlesborough and more. They also work local Washington state music festivals, for instance they have played Applesqueeze Festival in Steilacoom for 5 years now. They sometimes work with a third musician as the Americana trio, Cosmo’s Dream with which they have toured to the midwest, and in the UK. They currently reside in Tacoma, WA.
“there's something in each of you that has the ability to connect beyond the words and music. You are a gift...that I am so grateful to receive.” -- Linda Frank
Contact Kristi Nebel at (253)573-1504, or kristi.steve.nebel@gmail.com. You can write to them at: P.O. Box 5764, Tacoma, WA 98415-0764.
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