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Scott Stein has something to offer

Coffee Shop gives personality to this piano man

By Jill Corbett

We all know that Ohio State has The Best Damn Band in the Land, however that is by no means the end of the university’s musical talent.  With the 2004 release of his first CD entitled Temporary Romance, Senior music major, Scott Stein has proved that he’s clearly got something to offer to the music world. And his newest album, Live at the 5th Ave. Coffee Shop, gives a live, more personal feel to this piano man’s already brilliant sound.

Described as, “Landing somewhere between the urban storytelling folk of Harry Chapin, Elton John's poppy rock, and occasionally hinting at Bruce Hornsby's slick bayou funkiness,” Stein also exhibits a Billy Joel meets Paul McCartney with Train sound as well. He’s clearly got a unique jazzy sound with a little bit of everything and a lot more mixed in between.

Stein’s latest CD is truly a blend of all of his musical talents. It’s a live display of Stein’s enchanting singing voice and poetic songwriting ability, as well as his clever guitar playing and energetic piano pieces. Many of the tracks have a love-song type of style, as the CD seems to be dedicated to a lost love that one still yearns to be near.

One of most energetic songs on the CD, Indian Summer Song, showcases Stein’s talent as a pianist. With enthusiastic spurts of energetic keying mixed with sparkling rolls down the piano’s higher keys; one cannot help but move to the beat of the fervent tune. Likewise, you can’t help but tap your toes to Stein’s jazzy Some Kinda Something and its comical “pianistic fart” of an ending.

Clichés and Coffee has a softer more intimate appeal, with poetic lyrics strung throughout the song.  It’s clearly a song that one hears and starts to contemplate past actions and their consequences, both good and bad. Cigarette in The Rain also has a sadder sound, of moving on and letting the past go, rather than dwelling on a failed relationship. Stein’s passionate strumming of his six-string, is really quite moving, as it sincerely portrays his heartrending emotions to listeners’ ears.

And while Stein may be singing about New York coffee shops and Stars Over Memphis, he also remembers his current musical home here in Columbus, with references of the city and Ohio State tossed hither and thither throughout his songs.

While only 22-years old, Stein has already accomplished much in the musical world. He began playing piano when he was still a toddler and was hooked on jazz in particular before he was a teenager. He won various awards for his composing skills throughout his school days and has also earned numerous scholarships for his superb musical ability. During his time here at Ohio State, he has been the music director for OSU’s acclaimed a cappella Jewish singing group MeshugaNotes, which has performed all over Ohio, as well as in New York City.

Stein’s newest album, Live at the 5th Ave. Coffee Shop was recorded at Victorian’s Midnight Café in Victorian Village, back in early August 2005.

Originally Published: November 30, 2005

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