Stephen Schneider
Great Balls of Fire Island
© 2003 Stephen Schneider (659057991221)
CD IN STOCK. ORDER NOW. Will ship immediately.
The sun-baked Jimmy Buffet of Fire Island with his latest CD of 13 catchy, funny, lavishly produced, original-ish songs sure to make you feel like you're having a fabuous time at the beach this summer... even if you're not.
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Stephen "Schnitzy" Schneider started playing guitar and writing songs immediately after watching "A Hard Day's Night" seven times in a row. Soon thereafter, Stephen found himself with long hair, a fringed, buckskin jacket and a gig playing lead guitar with such infamous Livingston, NJ garage bands as: The Spiral and the notorious Strawberry Alarm Clock cover-band, Stonehenge. Although these bands did boast several appearances at the local Y and gigs at more than one budget Bar Mitzvah, Stephen's failure to score with long-time crush, Kathy Sheehan, led him to soberly reevaluate his appeal as a rock-god.
In college, however, a steady stream of hallucinogenic drugs and warm beer spurred Stephen to once again pick up his trusty "axe" and resume annoying innocent people with his "music." Playing with the legendary Ithaca bar band, Bub Fuff & Jigs, Stephen rediscovered the joy of songwriting. This joy was short-lived, however, thanks to his subsequent failure to score with long-time crush, Adrianne Cappelle.
Following a stint in a Florida penal colony for impersonating an actual musician, Stephen went on to write many more tediously derivative songs. Indeed, it is still somewhat of a mystery to Stephen why he was ever awarded a prize at the prestigious American Songwriters Festival. (Allegations of judge bribery were unsubstantiated and remain so to this day.)
Then, despite the fact that it seems to have had no noticeable influence on any other musical artist one can think of, Fire Island (the little barrier island just south of Long Island, NY... and The Hamptons' poor relation) inexplicably became the inspiration that drove Stephen to create his most ambitious - some might even say: "irksome" - collection of song treasures: "Great Balls of Fire Island." Comprised of 13 original-ish compositions written and performed by the artist himself, Great Balls is Stephen's heart-felt attempt to musically articulate the many moods and seasons of this beautiful and much-beloved vacation paradise. And, although this pivotal work will certainly motivate many people to share thoughts about the isle with their friends, "Great Balls of Fire Island" is also bound to motivate certain other people to share thoughts about litigation with their attorneys.
Many musical styles and genres can be experienced on "Great Balls of Fire Island", so you are bound to hate something, no matter what your taste. The "Magical Mystery Tour" of its time, this fabulous CD captures Fire Island life in such memorable classics as: "We're Not All Gay", "The Hamptons Suck", "The Fire Island Blues", "Check Your Schmekle", "Convenient Summer Love" and many more.
Today, fans of Mr. Schneider will be delighted to hear that a strange nerve disorder has recently rendered him incapable of strumming the guitar without itching. How this unattractive affliction will affect Stephen's musical career is anybody's guess. What is certain, sadly, is how it will affect his chances of scoring with long-time crush, Reese Witherspoon.
reviews
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great fun
author: WCTThis is a fun cd, especially if you are familiar with the Hamptons and Fire Island here on Long Island. Clever lyrics and a real professional job. Hope they do more!
best CD ever
author: Murphya definite paw tapper
We're loving it at Davis Park!
author: The Davis Park-ersWe've been playing this cd in the Davis Park marina for the past few weeks and everybody is just loving it! Fire Island is a world unto itself, imposssible to explain--impossible not to love! You've captured it all in your music, it's great!
It's fun, it's tuneful and we love "schmeckl"!
author: Dale LallyA whole lotta fun, this CD will knock your houseguests out. After a few Coronas, it's like, do I know this guy? Very funny, clever stuff; my high school students suggested it to me. So I guess now I'm "outted". You don't have to be gay to dig Steve.
Oddly enjoyable
author: Sandy GarfunkelI didn't expect much from a CD titled "Great Balls of Fire Island." I thought, "I'll buy it, listen once and toss it to the back of the pile." But then I played it during a loooooong car ride.... several times. It's a hoot. Smart, fun, different. I'm awaiting an off-Broadway show: GREAT BALLS OF FIRE ISLAND, THE MUSICAL. Think about it, Stephen!
a real talent that Steven is
author: Scott GoodmanOur five year old can't stop listening to this wonderful collection of songs. When is the animated cartoon version coming out? Now that's an idea.
STEPHEN SCHNEIDER HAS CERTAINLY COME OUT WITH HIS OWN VERSION THAT MAKES ME WANT
author: SUSAN BLICKMANA PLEASURABLE, UPBEAT SYNOPSIS OF WHAT FIRE ISLAND IS REALLY ABOUT. MAKES YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE SCENE. MUSIC AND LYRICS I ENJOYED WITH MY TEENAGERS AS WELL AS MYSELF.
I've never heard a CD quite like it. The cover pic it awesome.
author: Ron OssoI've known Steve for years... collaborated with him on lot's of boring crap... but GBoFI is a master (ish) piece.
Was thinking of going back to the Hamptons. This helped me decide.
author: Canadian Jewish WeaklyI was able to listen to the Album on a high speed cable download. I immediately made arrangements to switch to dial-up.
FUNNY, FUNNY, FUNNY!
author: Jezra KayeThis CD has balls, brains and a ton of heart. Schneider is a great observer of the social scene, and his good-humored take on fun in the sun, New York-style, is wildly entertaining. The music is great (he's got an all-star cast of NY studio types backing him up) and the lyrics are drop-dead hilarious. Give this one an A+ for "audacious audio."
Bliss for the summermix...
author: SpinderellaThe Pleasuremode: sensual and aural. The Listen: crusting sand from an eye-weary slumber and bodysurfing the nautical nuzzle of Atlantique's bosoms. The Down Low: GBoFI is a tender valentine that will have all in-the-know isla-en-fuego listeners hot, happy, and humming all summer long. Great Balls: Spinderella gives it five pies up high.
favorite CD of the new millenium
author: Meryl MoskowitzMost CDs have only one or two songs that are memorable (except for anything by ella fitzgerald), but this one has 13 gems. That Stephen Schneider is a real find. I can't wait until he puts out the next one.