2003–2006: All Things Real All Things Real was recorded between September 2003 and April 2005, at Longformacus Parish Church, and a rented cottage in
Longformacus,
Scottish Borders. The recording was "fixed" and
mastered by
Calum Malcolm. The album consists of both original compositions and cover versions of
Bob Dylan's "
Shelter from the Storm" and Will Oldham's "
I See a Darkness".
All Things Real was critically well received. Sunday Times journalist Mark Edwards on Shelter from the Storm: "You'd have to be a fool to cover one of Dylan's best-loved songs. Either that, or a singer with the presence — and presence of mind — to slow it right down, exposing the beauty of every syllable." Ian Mathers from
Stylus Magazine: "Never has Dylan's 'creature void of form' sounded so wracked, so stricken". The album includes the song "Mary Margaret O'Hara", a tribute to the Canadian singer/actress
Mary Margaret O'Hara. An initial album recording, featuring
choral singers and members of the
Royal Scottish National Orchestra was abandoned, due to the wrong feel and a less personal sound.
2012: The Tower of Silence It was announced via Steve's official website over the summer of 2012 that a new album will be available from September as a special LP bundle direct from the artist. An official release was to follow in November through the Grand Harmonium label. Adey worked on
The Tower of Silence for several years, mostly mixing and editing early band recordings that were "laid down" in a church. No computers were used and Adey wanted to mix to tape in
"an old school" style.
"The songs were all written at the piano, but from that point, the direction and possible trajectory could be anything." Each song was approached differently, although the overall sound of the album is seamless and has a continuous mood. A full string section was employed during the initial recording. The sound is more "live" with more emphasis on a stronger "band feel." Album two was recorded, for the most part in a church, using the natural acoustic and room noise. The album received critical acclaim across the board, including positive reviews from
The Sunday Times,
Q Magazine and
Uncut Magazine, who also included the track "Laughing" on a best of 2012 covermount CD. ==Influences==