Blues Revue Magazine, May 2000:
STEVE WHITE & THE BARSTOOL PIGEONS
dish out a bit of swing, killer funk and loads of deep fried soul. The musical question 'What's a Man To Do?'(Sugar Beat 2001) kicks off a set defined by the bandleader's keyboards and saxophone and Mike Fishell's versatile guitar. White's intense voice matches his R&B-drenched songs, with their hints of Louis Jordan, Tyrone Davis, Little Feat, Jackie Wilson, Dr. John, Creedence and more bubbling below the surface. The minor-key Latin groove "Take These Blues" stands out from a stellar set"

Blues News Magazine
(Phoenix Blues Society)
JUNE BUG BLUES FESTIVAL 2000
by Naomi M. Weisz

With the sun out, not a cloud in sight and a nice breeze, the June Bug Blues Festival began at noon on Saturday, June 10 in Payson, Arizona. A total of nine acts appeared in 10 hours of solid music. This year's festival was held at the new Payson Multi-Event Center, located directly across from the festival co-sponsor, the Mazatzal Casino. The June Bug festival was the first musical event held there. Joe Harless, the "daddy" of June Bug, got things going as the master of ceremonies.

Out of Oxnard, California came Steve White and the Barstool Pigeons. As Joe said in the program: "Funny name, fabulous band." I had to agree! Sharon and I both liked Steve's vocals. He has what I call a "blues voice." It grabs you and won't let go even if you got down on your knees and begged. As I listened I thought how great it would be to get Steve White and Nick Riviera of Big Nick and the Gila Monsters together for a duet. What a storm that would be! Mike Fishell, lead guitar, glided over the frets, producing intense sounds as Kelvin Ammons beat a contagious rhythm out of those drums. With Bernie Travers' bass thumping, this band was one fantastic ride.

MuzikMan's Sound Script, March 23, 2000:
by Keith Hannaleck
What's a man to do?, without the walk of the blues in his shoes life wouldn't be interesting. Steve White and the Barstool Pigeons play a flavorful brew of the blues. White is a multi-instrumentalist, (lead vocals, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica and flute) singer and songwriter that has a knack of playing tasty blues-rock that maintains a steady and soulful groove.

White's cause is supported by some stellar seasoned musicians. Mike Fishell (guitars, dobro, vocals, bass), Bernie Travers (bass, vocals), Kelvin Ammons (drums, percussion, vocals) give their all to make the Barstool Pigeons a well greased blues unit. This is roadhouse blues that obviously would thrive and come to a full boil in a live setting.

It all made me feel like I was sitting in a smoke filled venue with the smell of beer and women with too much perfume. It all seemingly folds right into the sounds that permeate this room viewed through the window of mysoul. Music that has such feeling and emotion is bound to promote various feelings and scenarios in your mind.

This CD is comprised of a good helpin' of blues music that leaves a lasting impression. An impressive debut from a band that I'm sure will be heard from again soon

Blues Bytes, July 2000:
by Bill Mitchell.
A Man To Do (Sugar Beat Records) from Ventura-based Steve White and the Barstool Pigeons. These cats play a swingin' style of blues, but also mix in a lot of other influences to their music. White is a decent singer. His voice doesn't have a lot of range, but he gets a lot of power and emotion out of his vocals. Let's just say that the final product is greater than the sum of its parts. The band provides capable accompaniment, especially the guitar work of Mike Fishell. But White's greatest strength is his songwriting, as each of the dozen cuts on What's A Man To Do are originals. I especially liked the soulful ballad "Just Like A Man," which could easily have come from the O.V. Wright songbook. White's best vocal work comes on the funky blues "Sad Girl," which also features good guitar from Fishell. The latter plays tasty dobro and White contributes some hot sax on "Dog Gone." Overall, a very satisfying album from a band that deserves more than just local recognition.

Radio PICA / La Hora del Blues
Barcelona - Spain
by Vicente P. Zumel

Steve White & The Barstool Pigeons "What's a Man To Do?". Sugar Beat.
Un autentico musico en el sentido mas amplio de la palabra. Steve White toca piano, organo, armonica, saxo, canta y, por supuesto, escribe sus propiascanciones y, ademas, admirablemente. En este disco variado pero al mismo tiempo, homogeneo y tremendamente bien concebido, brillan a gran altura los musicos que le respaldan que son bateria, bajo y guitarra. Swinga con ellos y pasalo bien. MUY BUENO.
A real musician in the widest sense of the word. Steve White plays piano, keyboards, harmonica , saxophone and, of course, he sings wonderfully. Altough the cd sound is quite varied, on the whole it is homogeneus and well conceived, A special mention must be done to the backing drummer, bass and guitar. Swing with them and enjoy their music. GREAT.
 

Concerto Magazin (Austria)
January 2002
By Dr. Franz Richter

Eine wirklich gute, traditionelle Bluesband aus Oxnard, Kalifornien, aus der Steve White besonders hervorsticht. Er ist nicht nur ein Multiinstrumentalist – Tasteninstrumente, Saxophon, Flöte, Harmonika und teilweise auch Gitarre- sondern auch noch ein ausgezeichneter Sänger und Songwriter. Auch Mike Fishell, der Gitarrist, Co-writer und Sänger ist eine herausragende Figur und die Rhythmusgruppe überzeugt ebenfalls. Man merkt der Band ihre Professionalität an, die sie sich in vielen Live-Auftritten mit verschiedensten Blues-Größen erarbeitet hat, obwohl die CD in dieser Besetzung ein Debüt darstellt. Blues with a feeling, insbesondere zu hören auf "What’s A Man To Do?" oder auch auf "Take These Blues". Von dieser Band sollten wir mehr hören.

We should be hearing more from this band.