Personnel: Mark "Stew" Stewart (vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, keyboards, tambourine); Heidi Rodewald (acoustic guitar, oboe, harmonica, piano, synthesizer, drums, background vocals); Probyn Gregory (acoustic 12-string guitar, horn, background vocals); Chris Rael (sitar); Gregor Kitzsis (violin, viola); Carrie Batch (violin); Matthew Goeke (cello); Lisa Jenio (flute).
Principally recorded at Dubway Studios, New York, New York.
The Negro Problem's singer/songwriter Mark Stewart is a remarkable talent, capable of unguarded tenderness and searing wit in nearly the same line, able to set logical and entertaining philosophical and social arguments to pop stylings. Stewart's solo debut takes as its starting point not The Negro Problem's usual Bacharach-derived sunshine pop, but the acoustic solo numbers appended to 1997's POST-MINSTREL SYNDROME.
Stewart's rich voice and quietly compelling acoustic guitar are at the heart of this album's 11 tracks, though co-conspirator Heidi Rodewald and a handful of others add subtle, unobtrusive touches, like the sarcastic children's chorus in "Rehab," and the horn and violin coloring "The Stepford Lives." While the songs are as melodically substantial as Stewart's Broadway-inspired creations, the absence of The Negro Problem's fantastically lush arrangements allows the listener to concentrate fully on the marvelous songwriting.
The Negro Problem's singer/songwriter Mark Stewart is a remarkable talent, capable of unguarded tenderness and searing wit in nearly the same line, able to set logical and entertaining philosophical and social arguements to pop stylings. Stewart's solo debut takes as its starting point not The Negro Problem's usual Bacharach-derived sunshine pop, but the acoustic solo numbers appended to 1997's POST-MINSTREL SYNDROME.
Stewart's rich voice and quietly compelling acoustic guitar are at the heart of this album's 11 tracks, though co-conspirator Heidi Rodewald and a handful of others add subtle, unobtrusive touches, like the sarcastic children's chorus in "Rehab", and the horn and violin colouring "The Stepford Lives". While the songs are as melodically substantial as Stewart's Broadway-inspired creations, the absence of The Negro Problem's fantastically lush arrangements allows the listener to concentrate fully on the marvellous songwriting.