Joee Corso
– Sacrifice (Corso Bros
Music)
Over the years, Los Angeles based Joee Corso has
fronted a series of acclaimed bands, including Abbey Booth, Grand Daddy Purple,
who toured extensively in Europe, and the titular Joee Corso Band. In 2008 he
moved to Topanga Canyon to concentrate his time and talents on a solo career,
gigging regularly, composing for film and television, and releasing his “Live
At Genghis Cohen” EP in 2011.
“Sacrifice” is his latest EP, a four track release
recorded with producer / bassist Nick South, with Rob Perkins on drums. Though
the artwork on the cover suggests a bare-bones, stripped back approach, the
opposite is true. Corso and his compatriots have shaped a warm, enveloping
sound, the perfect setting for his rich voice and songs. It’s a sound that can
be loosely defined as folk-rock, but it’s a sophisticated, urbane version, with
a sadness at its centre that is redolent of bygone misfortune and missed
chances.
His voice and the shadowy emotional pull he applies
to his lyricism brings to mind artists like Eddie Vedder, the Buckleys (Tim and
Jeff) and the brilliant David Ackles, though there are glimmers of light to
counter the shade. Corso opens the collection with “Seven
Doors”, a call for salvation, and South’s fluid basslines dance
provocatively around the rhythm. The title track is almost a country shuffle,
but with a gothic folk heart, and the gentler “Bus to
Tampa” ends the record with a degree of hope and perhaps a little
redemption.
Phil S.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.