Come On In This House

A departure from previous efforts, Come On In This House is primarily a collection of seldom heard traditional and cover songs from some of the giants of the blues genre. The record showcases what Rolling Stone Magazine hails as Steve’s "masterful, no nonsense guitar playing". With this, his fourth solo release, Freund takes us on a musical journey ranging from the smoldering original Worried About That Gal to the New Orleans vibe of the traditional Easy Rider. Turtle Blues, rarely covered by a male artist, is an homage to the great Janis Joplin while Call My Job, and the title track, Come On In This House, pay tribute to the many great Chicago bluesmen Steve has been honored to work with over the years. Steve tears up versions of Freddie King’s Play It Cool and Some Other Day Some Other Time, while he displays his versatility on the tongue-in-cheek, Cleanhead Blues, the Delmore Brothers classic, Blues Stay Away From Me and the crowd pleasing Roosevelt Sykes song, Dangerous Man. Closing out the effort is Evil Ways, a guitar/piano duet on which Steve demonstrates his incomparable guitar work and deeply soulful singing. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Steve traveled to Chicago, the source of the electric blues, in 1976, where he spent nearly two decades working with the true legends of the genre, Sunnyland Slim, Big Walter Horton, Luther Allison, Otis Rush and a veritable slew of blues royalty. His considerable talents have been tapped by numerous Grammy nominated artists including Boz Scaggs, Bonny Raitt, Koko Taylor, Maria Muldaur, and James Cotton. Known as the quintessential "musicians' musician" until departing Chicago for a solo career in the mid 90's, Come On In This House showcases the talents of a man who has dedicated his life to the Blues, honoring the masters that came before him by playing and singing the way they did... directly from the heart. “Steve Freund is one of the most consistently creative guitarists playing blues today. His crisp, cleanly executed solos are marvels of invention, filled with surprise yet firmly within traditions established by such giants as Hubert Sumlin and Albert, B.B., and Freddie King. He also has evolved into a commanding, quite soulful vocalist.” Lee Hildebrand/Living Blues "Steve Freund shines every time he steps forward, playing with sizzling drive, taste, and real creativity." Pete Welding/ Downbeat