Long awaited by friends and fans alike, Joe
Gee’s new CD, Gee Joe, 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 Pickin’ in the Pines in May of
2005, and boldly signed up on the blank space known as “first”.
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 on stage, 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, and I suppose it was then I
probably started nagging him about “when is the CD coming out”? He
was just too good not to have one.
I can’t take full credit with my nagging, or maybe he did it to shut me
up, but another year and several wonderful shows later, it’s here.
And what a sheer delight it is! I’m blown away again, just like
the first time. I can honestly say, both musically and lyrically,
there is something for everyone on this CD. It’s 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, Joe’s unique
singing voice comforts and excites the listener at the same time.
Much like Joe’s personality, you never know what will happen next, and
you’re never disappointed. He also decided to pull in some highly
respected folks to join him in the studio. Legend Red Volkaert,
Noel McKay of The McKay Brothers and Dan Walsh, dobro, guitar, baritone
guitar wizard and a 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 didn’t find him and his
talents much sooner.
I’ve got some favorites on the CD. On the fun side, I’ve loved
“Butter My Biscuit” since the first time I heard Joe sing it back at
“The Pines”. And I can honestly say, the first time I heard
Joe sing “Three Days”, I cried, but with laughter. Eaglesmith fans
will catch and enjoy the many allusions to Fred’s 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 Joe’s cover of “Mary Anne”. Joe makes it his own, and
frankly, it’s my very favorite version of the song. His cover of
Audrey Auld Mezera’s, “One Eye”, finds him taking yet another of my
favorites, doing his own interpretation, and getting two thumbs up from
someone who is picky about covers.
Joe’s originals, “I Got Nothin’ to Say” and “Starbright", are truly
standouts, but perhaps my favorite track on the disc is his co-write
with Paul Thorn “There Ain’t Nothing Wrong”. I’ve loved this song since
the first time I heard it, and I’d love to see it get some radio play.
It’s 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 Joe’s voice a little. And for me,
although the music is fantastic throughout the CD, Joe’s 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 can’t 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, risky, diverse, classy, and
best of all, QUALITY... I highly recommend this CD for everyone.
Joe’s CD is available at www.joegee.com
and www.cdbaby.com .
Lone Star Mama
Written by Dana Jones, July, 2006
