Steve Betz | Without Love

Published: September 29, 2009

Helena singer/guitarist Steve Betz likes to call his music “feel-good Americana with Christian threads.” He’s put a bunch of it out with a cadre of Queen City musicians on his new CD, Without Love, recorded by Dan Nichols at Soul Tree Recording Studio in Helena.

Players include producer and drummer Dan Nichols, Mike Killeen, guitars, Terry O’Hare, bass, guitars and background vocals, and Michael Kakuk, harmonica and saxophone.

Other performers are Jim Schulz, acoustic guitar on “Without Love,” Johnny Moore, keyboards, Carrie Stewart, violin, and Laurie Budlong-Morse and Jennifer Ruggles, background vocals.

Betz wrote or co-wrote all the tunes. He likes pretty, extended instrumental intros, and sings in a strong baritone voice. His compositions have a country-western flavor, and he sings about half of them to loved ones and half to the glory of a higher power.

Betz says he “grew up under a ‘glass half-full’ way of looking at life,” and it’s obvious. He writes with the optimism of a teenager about love, and the feeling of freedom it gives him.

The first number, “The Journey,” is a gallopy two-step that opens with Kakuk’s cool, moody harmonica licks. “Susie (I Still Think about You)” has a catchy guitar opening and snappin’ drums; and great high female harmony accompanies the title track, “Without Love.”

“Plant It Deep” is an admonishment to use one’s God-given talents, and a Mexified feel infuses the soul-searcher, “Waiting to See the Light.” Betz plays synthesizer here to re-create marimba sound.

“Live in Me,” a song as prayer, is a nice slow dance tune, and more Kakuk talent abounds on the sax-styled wailer, “There Will Be a Light,” about the birth of Christ. The finale features Riley Quigley reading 1 Corinthians 13:1-2, which segues into a reprise of the title cut to close the record out.

Fans of Betz will appreciate his mix of sacred and earthy. And it’s dance music, too.

Catch Betz at two CD release parties this month: 8-10 p.m. Oct. 10 at the Leaf and Bean in Bozeman, and 7-9 p.m. Oct. 22 at First Christian Church in Helena.

Visit him at www.stevebetz.com for more details.

– Mariss McTucker