• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lieff Ink

TELL YOUR STORY

  • About
  • Services
    • Writing • Editing
    • PR
    • Writing Tutor
  • Words
  • Press
  • Blog
  • Clients
    • Client List
    • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Book
    • Accolades
    • Reviews

Steven Tyler Goes “Out On A Limb”

May 22, 2018

Aerosmith has been one of my favorite bands since I can remember. I have loved their unapologetic combination of rock and roll and blues since the first time I heard them and I think it’s incredible that, after five decades, they are still going. I’ve seen them live twice, I play their music on the radio all the time, own several Aerosmith t-shirts, and have read Steven Tyler’s book Does the Noise in My Head Bother You and Joe Perry’s book Rocks. So of course, when I heard that a new documentary about iconic performer Steven Tyler’s leap into country music (as a solo artist) was debuting this month, I had to watch.

Steven Tyler: Out On A Limb chronicles his “crossover” into country music through interviews with artists like Slash and members of The Cadillac Three, archival footage with Aerosmith, and recent concert footage of Tyler performing at Nashville’s legendary Ryman Auditorium with his extremely talented backup band, The Loving Mary Band. I put the word crossover in quotation marks because so much of Aerosmith’s music is rooted in blues and country – a point that is mentioned multiple times throughout the 90-minute film. In fact, one interviewee says, “half the people he’s working with in Nashville grew up listening to Aerosmith.”

As country music has evolved over the years, the lines between rock and roll, blues, and country continue to blur which I think is why the genre has gained popularity with more mainstream artists. Chris Stapleton is the perfect example of someone who has taken his outlaw country to the masses through his brilliant songwriting, relatable persona and lyrics, and collaboration with Justin Timberlake.

But back to Tyler. A few years ago, he left his hometown of Boston and moved to Nashville and then in 2016 he released a record, We’re All Somebody From Somewhere, that encompasses two firsts for him: country and solo. The members of The Loving Mary Band flawlessly accentuate his voice and help bridge the narrow gap between Aerosmith and country music. His band is so beguiling that the documentary takes place around their Ryman performance with Tyler which features a wide array of instruments including several guitars, a violin, a horn section, harmonicas, and both a piano and a keyboard.

At 70 years old, Tyler, who has always been a charismatic storyteller, is rail thin, sings into his streamer-adorned microphone with all of his frontman fervor, and rips through his set with a voice that somehow is still on point. He also wears enough necklaces, eyeliner, rings, and hair accessories to make Captain Jack Sparrow blush.

While it’s not surprising that everyone in the documentary has positive things to say about Tyler, what’s interesting is how they all mention his passion for music. The singer could have hung up his steamers a long time ago – as Aerosmith is the best-selling American rock band of all time – but here he is making new music that is soulful, authentic, and out of his comfort zone. All these Nashville artists are enamored with him which is cool to see and hear – especially since most of them are significantly younger.

And although I didn’t learn a lot of new information from the documentary (because I’m such a huge fan and have read a ton about the band over the years), I loved seeing Tyler elevate his musical prowess in a new environment. He is clearly having a love affair with Nashville and his excitement about his country endeavor is palpable. I’m also glad that the Ryman performance featured a mix of new material and Aerosmith songs. One of the highlights was Tyler hitting every note of “Dream On” while playing a white piano with his female vocalists backing him up in a haunting tone.

I think Slash summed it up perfectly: “Steven is driven by the passion of music; he’s a great example of someone who loves music and strives to do great things.”

Laura

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Blog Archive

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010

Footer

Laura Lieff was named Colorado Mountain College’s 2017-2018 Part Time Staff Member of the Year for her work as a writing tutor and teaching assistant.
Laura Lieff was named Colorado Mountain College’s 2017-2018 Part Time Staff Member of the Year for her work as a writing tutor and teaching assistant.

Work With Me

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
lieff-ink-logo_updated-2
  • About
  • Services
  • Words
  • Blog
  • Client List
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · PO Box 1228 Edwards CO 81632 · info@lauralieff.com