Rootsy country-soul-folk-blues-rock that's sometimes funny, sometimes touching, sometimes rocking, always heartfelt, real, and true.

12 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Americana, ROCK: Roots Rock



Details:
Joe Geeâs âGee Joeâ

by Dana Jones, reviewer for www.misslana.com - âTexicana Music Centralâ

Long awaited by friends and fans alike, Joe Geeâs new CD âGee Joeâ has finally arrived. I had known Joe for a while before I ever really heard him sing. This transplanted Texas musician walked up to the open mic at Pickinâ in the Pines in May of 2005, and boldly signed up on the blank space known as âfirstâ. Fellow Fredheads (nickname of Fred Eaglesmith fans) had already told me he was good. It was here his songs blew me away for the first of many times to come. As he stepped onstage, he won the crowd over right away with his charming personality. Before I knew it, he had belted out three fantastic songs and left me wanting more! He entertained us at camp several times during the weekend, I suppose it was then I probably started nagging him about âwhen is the CD coming outâ?? He was just too good not to have one. I canât take full credit with my nagging, or maybe he did do it to shut me up, but another year and several wonderful shows later, itâs here.
And what a sheer delight it is! Iâm blown away again, just like the first time. I can honestly say, both musically and lyrically, there is something for everyone on this CD. Itâs rare that an artist chooses to share when he can do just about any type of music you like, and do it well. Gee does it all very well. This one is in my top 5 for 2006!
From his original tunes, to carefully selected covers, Joeâs unique singing voice comforts and excites the listener at the same time. Much like Joeâs personality, you never know what will happen next, and youâre never disappointed. He also decided to pull in some highly respected folks to join him in the studio. Legend Red Volkert, Noel McKay of The McKay Brothers and Dan Walsh, dobro, guitar, baritone guitar wizard and former member of Fred Eaglesmith's band are just a sampling of those who believed in Joe enough to play on this disc. Joe himself is a very talented musician, and he has an ear for what really works. My only regret is that we didnât find him and his talents much sooner!!
Iâve got some favorites on the CD. On the fun side, Iâve loved âButter My Biscuitâ since the first time I heard Joe sing it back at âThe Pinesâ. And I can honestly say, the first time I heard Joe sing âThree Daysâ, I cried, but with laughter. Eaglesmith fans will catch and enjoy the many allusions to Fredâs tunes and career. He did a fantastic version of this song on the disc, for any Fred collector, this is a must have.
And speaking of Eaglesmith, one of my favorite songs on the more serious side is Joeâs cover of âMary Anneâ. Joe makes it his own, and frankly, itâs my very favorite version of the song. His cover of Audrey Auld Mezeraâs âOne Eyeâ finds him taking yet another of my favorites, doing his own interpretation, and getting two thumbs up from someone who is picky about covers!
Joeâs originals âI Got Nothinâ to Sayâ and âStarbrightâ are truly standouts, but perhaps my favorite track on the disc is his co-write with Paul Thorn âThere Ainât Nothing Wrongâ. Iâve loved this song since the first time I heard it, and Iâd love to see it get some radio play. Itâs a song that plays in my head quite often, and I really like it.
The production quality on the CD is very good. Occasionally the music seems to overpower Joeâs voice a little. And for me, although the music is fantastic throughout the CD, Joeâs soft, almost hoarse but clear voice is what I truly love to hear most of all. I must confess, my favorite way to hear this guy still is with his acoustic guitar (and maybe a friend on dobro occasionally). And if I canât have that on a daily basis, I have a great CD to hold me over until my next LIVE Joe Gee fix.
Touching, funny, beautiful, tongue-in-cheek, risks, diversity, class, and best of all, QUALITY, I highly recommend this CD for everyone. Joeâs CD is available at www.joegee.com and www.cdbaby.com .