Album Review: Such A Funny Feeling / The Spirit That Has Set Me Free by Steve Wood & Woodwork
Alright, let’s talk about this little gem from 1979. Such A Funny Feeling / The Spirit That Has Set Me Free by Steve Wood & Woodwork is one of those albums that sneaks up on you. It’s folk, with a dash of world and country vibes—simple but soulful. Released on the QCA/New Day label in the US, it’s not some big-budget production, but honestly? That’s what makes it special.
The title track, Such A Funny Feeling, hits different. Right off the bat, you’re greeted with this warm guitar riff that feels like sitting by a campfire on a crisp autumn night. Steve’s voice has this raw honesty to it—you can tell he means every word. The lyrics are kinda quirky yet relatable, talking about life’s little ironies and moments where you just stop and go, “Huh, yeah, that is funny.” I remember humming this tune for days after hearing it because it sticks with you without trying too hard. There’s no flashy chorus or overdone melody; it’s just… real.
Then there’s The Spirit That Has Set Me Free. Man, this one’s a slow burner. It starts soft, almost whispery, then builds into this uplifting anthem about liberation—not in some preachy way, though. It’s more like someone sharing their personal journey toward peace. By the time the harmonica kicks in (and oh, does it ever), you feel like you’ve been carried along on this gentle wave of hope. Every now and then, I catch myself singing the line “set me free” when I need a little pick-me-up. It’s got that kind of staying power.
What strikes me most about this album is how unpolished it feels—not sloppy, mind you, but human. You can hear the imperfections, the cracks in the vocals, the occasional stumble in timing, and somehow it all adds up to something beautiful. Like, hey, nobody’s perfect, and neither is this record—but maybe that’s the point.
I’ll leave you with this: listening to Such A Funny Feeling / The Spirit That Has Set Me Free feels like finding an old photograph tucked inside a book. It’s nostalgic, grounding, and reminds you that even back in ’79, people were out here making music straight from the heart. Honestly, who needs autotune when you’ve got tracks like these? Not me.
