Dealin'

Joe's vocals are essentially unremarkable and do not fully handle the range of musical styles (ie. boogie, blues, ballads)covered on this recording. However, this should not deter potential listeners from purchasing and indeed enjoying this album. Where Joe excels, is in the delivery of soulful ballads contained on the album, a prime example being the tune "Life Without Parole" which is one of the album highlights and contains tasty keyboard playing by Bruce Katz and "That So Called Friend Of Mine" where the musicians contribute some slinky playing. In fact Joe pens only 6 originals of the 13 tunes on the album and of the originals they provide the 4 highlights tunes on the album (the other 2 being the Mississippi blues of "Holding A Losing Hand" and "If I Get Lucky"). Special mention goes to Jerry Portnoy's terrific harp playing which is scattered throughout the album and provides great listening treats. Joe keeps good company on this album and lets face it, the involvement of the remarkable Duke Robillard is a GUARANTEE of something special. There is much to be admired in this recording and in anticipation for future releases by Joe. I wonder however, if a greater cohension would be gained in a release of all original tunes by Joe that centre around his soulful vocal style.