MAY JUNE 2017

CD REVIEW:
TATTOOS AND TATTERED HEARTS
BY STEVE VACLAVIK AND THE WOEFUL ONES
Reviewed by Colin Ward
Steve Vaclavik has been part of the Tampa Bay
music scene since 1994. He was part of the March
2017 Bay Buzz’s Buzzfest festival and brought
his CD to share. Tattoos and Tattered Hearts is
not hot off the press but it is Steve’s most recent
recording. The CD is credited to Steve Vaclavik
and The Woeful Ones but unfortunately the band
is no longer active, due in part to the passing of
Chris Harmon who played lead guitar and other
stringed instruments. Steve is presently a solo
performer.
In some ways, the name Woeful Ones is
misleading because most of the songs sound
anything but woeful. Think upbeat and
energetic. Genre? These days, bands are
pigeonholed into micro-genres that many of us
have never even heard of. In Steve’s case,
Americana fits the bill - stir up a mixture of
bluegrass, singer/songwriter, rock and country
and you will get the idea. But primarily Steve is
a teller of tales. The stories are fascinating and
could well have come from personal experiences.
Many of them are woeful which is no doubt where
the band name originated. A little Bob Dylan
influence creeps into the vocals, along with a bit
of Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. The album
is built around acoustic instruments with Chris
Harmon’s tasty electric guitar to add spice when
needed.
harmonica, and it’s easy to imagine the band and
backup singers grouped around a microphone
performing it live in one take. To quote the
story, “Henry found out the hard way, you can
do your best and still lose your way”. Henry
unfortunately came to an abrupt ending despite
his lucky shamrock tattoo.
Keeping the woeful theme alive is song two about
a relationship breakup, there’s nothing to show
for it but a “Broken Heart and a Cat”. After 25
years in a relationship, it’s a tough way to go and
Steve brings the “car wreck of our lives” to life.
Tom’s songs are influenced by the blues and a
western theme pops up in a couple of them. “If
That Ain’t the Blues” is a traditional 12 bar with
some skillful harmonica and electric guitar by
Tom and the band.
The other songs on Tattoos and Tattered Hearts
are both woeful and enjoyable and each one
stands on its own with enough variety to keep us
listening all the way through to the end. Bass and
background vocals by Mike Worrall and solid
drums and percussion by the ubiquitous Bill
LaGrandier complete the band. Tattoos and
Tattered Hearts was recorded very well at Pro
Star studios in St. Petersburg and is
recommended for anyone who likes story songs
with an Americana flavor.
Steve is not the only songwriter or lead singer on
the CD. Tom Stephens, who remains active in
Tampa Bay, is the creator of four of the ten
songs. Tom’s songs blend well with Steve’s and
Tom has apparently had his share of woeful
experiences too. Tom also plays some mean
harmonica which is a nice addition to the stringed
instruments that are predominate.
The lead-off song, Shamrock Tattoo, deservedly
won the Song of the Year Award at the Deland
Original Music Festival in 2016. It has a strong
bluegrass influence despite the percussion and
16 BUZZ Magazine May-June 2017
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