CHUCK PYLE: Step By Step

Chuck Pyle

Step By Step

© 1990 Chuck Pyle (709557102228)

CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.

(About MP3 downloads at CD Baby)

Sparse acoustic guitar and vocal showcasing a "push-the-envelope guitar stylist."

tracks

1 Horses On The Highway
2 Lay This Old Guitar Down
3 I Always Go Walking
4 Here Comes The Water
5 Light Of My Love
6 Keep It Simple
7 Step By Step
8 Jaded Lover
9 Family Land
10 Why, Honey, Why?
11 Train Wreck
12 Keep 'Er Steady, Cowgirl
13 Saturday Night Somewhere
14 Other Side Of The Hill

notes

TO SOME, singer/songwriter Chuck Pyle is a walking contradiction. One reviewer labeled him "the Zen Cowboy" for his delightful but seemingly at-odds mix of upbeat New Age humor and straight-from-the-saddle poetry. Deciding to, as he says, "ride the horse in the direction it's going," Chuck has taken the nickname to heart, shaving his head and blending Zen truisms with horse sense.

His music mixes western themes, folk, rock, cowboy poetry and new age humor into his own unique "Southwestern Acoustic" sound. The songs are at once complex and enchantingly funny. He compresses a story to its very essence, quoting bumper stickers, proverbs, world leaders and old cowboys then mixing in his own philosophical blend of Cowboy Zen.

An accomplished songwriter, Chuck's songs have been recorded by a number of popular artists, including Jerry Jeff Walker, John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Suzy Bogguss, Tish Hinojosa and Chris LeDoux. The song "Colorado" became the theme song for the PBS series, Spirit of Colorado, which is beamed world-wide by satellite. In 1980, Chuck wrote "The Other Side of the Hill" which has been recorded by over 20 different artists including Chris LeDoux who renamed the song "Cadillac Cowboy" and took it to the top of the country charts in 1991.

But along with being a lauded songwriter, Chuck Pyle is a well-known performer in his own right. He has developed his own powerful and unique finger picking style which he calls "Rocky Mountain Slam Picking," which simultaneously emulates rhythm guitar strums and lead guitar lines making him sound like an entire band. He has taught guitar seminars at such prestigious events as the Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and the Swannanoa Gathering.

Pyle, a native of Newton, Iowa, has lived on Colorado's front-range for over 30 years and has spent most of that time traveling the country playing theaters, festivals, colleges and coffeehouses. He has five albums to his credit, and is currently in the studio working on his sixth.

reviews

Please log in to review this album.

  • Step by Step
    author: Tim Jamison

    This is my favorite Chuck Pyle album. I bought it because Chuck said it was mostly just his guitar for the music. I was worried about the dat, thinking the songs might be out of step, but they're great. Bought it Sep 2008.

  • replacement copy
    author: bonnie ruth

    this cd was a replacement. i played my first copy for a friend and they liked it so much, i gave it to them. so of course i had to get another for ME!

  • Great CD - I Have Loved Chuck"s Music for Years - Awesome
    author: Ron Clark

    Always good stuff! - Was a fan in Boulder when I lived there in the late 80's and early 90's. Was acquainted with Chuck fron Unity. Happy Trails!

  • lovely collection of Pyle's smooth style
    author: Pamela Light

    It's great to hear earlier songs from Pyle, whose easy style is evident no matter what decade of his career one focuses on. This cd is very gentle and seasoned with selections that honor his sense of 'play'. Also includes great poignancy in Here Comes the Water.

  • Simple production makes this an acoustic music lover's treasure.
    author: Joe Higgins

    This is acoustic/folk music at its finest. Pyle's fine writing blends seamlessly with his solid and well thought through guitar accompaniments. Add a little bass, a little violin here and there, and a few small touches and you have a great CD. His arrangements avoid the "sleepiness" of many folkies, while still staying true to the syle and avoiding the temptations of moving into the pop side of folk music.

email

Please log in to email this artist.