Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Joe Pitts - Just a Matter of Time (2007)

BIOGRAPHY
Joe Pitts is a powerful, soulful & multi-talented guitarist pulling influences from yesterday into today. Joe has been compared to guitarists like Warren Haynes, Larry McCray, Walter Trout and Joe Bonamassa. Although his influences range from Duane Allman and Jeff Beck to Roy Buchanan, Joe is becoming known worldwide for his slide guitar work with the band Liquid Groove Mojo. Joe is also heavily inside the groove with really funky rhythmic improvisations.
Studying at Berklee College of Music, set Joe up for the possibilities that are endless on a stringed instrument. Being a faithful follower of Col Bruce Hampton, ARU and the bands of HORDE, Joe's improvisational voice came into his own.
From funk to jazz to blues to rock, and everything inbetween, Joe is a musician's musician. Touted as one of Arkansas' best bands, this international touring artist has played hundreds of shows, touring Europe and the Midwest/Midsouth and Southeastern US constantly. Joe has been nominated for his vocal abilities, being chosen as one of the best vocalist's of the year, 2006 Indie Artist Radio awards. Joe has also appeared at the Crossroads Musical Exhibition, and the International Blues Conference.
The band, features Odessa Texas native and veteran musician Jimmy Lynn on Bass Guitar, and Nashville sessions drummer David Bishop rounds out the touring band power trio. The music is a workout in influences. From Rock, Blues and Jazz roots, the music of the JPB shines through. These guys really stretch out live. It truely is a musical extravaganza nightly, and something you don't want to miss, with every show different.

REVIEW
BellaDonna's Roadhouse: Press
Just a Matter of Time is an electrifying adventure. This CD is a musical voyage; traveling from soulful, sultry blues to powerful funk- rock jams. The songs tell tales of life; inviting listeners to dance, laugh, cry, share love and to be loved while celebrating the multiplicity and complexity of our existence.
Favorites on Just a Matter of Time include the powerful Shoulda Seen It Coming. This compelling, complex musical saga, is about a jilted lover accepting the crystal-clear warning signs, of a relationship about to come to an end. The music tells the heartbreak story beginning with an easy Reggae beat that evolves to a strong driving rock jam-entwined with blues. The smooth delivery of this complex musical arrangement illustrates how relationships begin carefree and effortless; become complicated and exasperating when ending.
Pitts makes Roy Buchanan’s Nickel and a Nail his own. Without a doubt, Joe Pitts is a extraordinary guitarist, however, Nickel and a Nail proves Joe Pitts is a mesmerizing singer.
The unforgettable, hauntingly beautiful song, Lonesome Boy From Yesterday is an undeniable tribute to friendship and loss. Pitts lament is clear in his lyrics, the sorrow in his voice unmistakable; while his guitar cries fervently. It's hard to listen to this song and not relate it to someone in life we pray and weep for.
Masterfully engineered and mixed by Rhonda Pitts and Jeff Brocaw, Just a Matter of Time is a creative and technological victory. Every note, every sound is real, and genuine; free of computers, looping or dubbing. The way every song sounds on the CD is just how they will sound live! The process of recording and mixing a record analog, is a method not frequently used in today's music. The outcome is a CD that sounds authentic, clear-cut and real.
The Joe Pitts album was recorded with the help guest musicians and friends; John Davies on Bass Guitar and Jahleel Eli on drums. Additional guest, and Pitts's good friends include; Michael Burks: Guitar on Rolling with the Blues (Appears courtesy of Alligator Records), Wayne Sharp: Hammond B-3 Organ on Nickel And A Nail and Rolling With The Blues and Stephen Winter- Keys on Ice Cream Cakes.
Destiny brought Joe Pitts, Jimmy Lynn, and David Bishop together for an impromptu jam session at the Parrot Beach Café in North Little Rock, Arkansas. The chemistry was so intense; the trio did not leave the stage until they all agreed to become a band. From that spontaneous jam, The Joe Pitts Band was born. The newly formed power trio enthusiastically embraced the music on Just a Matter of Time, making each song their own. Now, The Joe Pitts Band is currently touring and spreading their joy, enthusiasm and authentic talent to the masses.
Just a Matter of Time is available to order at www.cdbaby.com , or from Joe Pitts MySpace page at www.joepitts.com.
Let the music move you, and enjoy the voyage. You will not be disappointed!
Donna Deady - BellaDonna's Journal
TRACKS
1 Blue Light Rain (Pitts) 6:15
2 Nickle and a Nail (Buchanan) 4:36
3 Lonesome Boy from Yesterday (Pitts) 4:38
4 Just a Matter of Time (Pitts) 4:22
5 Ice Cream Cakes (Beck) 6:34
6 Zambified (Pitts) 4:58
7 Soulda Seen It Coming (Pitts) 6:31
8 Rolling with the Blues (Mayall) 7:42
9 Sealed Inside Good Intentions (Pitts) 4:27
10 Sublime Angel (Pitts) 5:02
11 Funked Up (Pitts) 13:25

Liquid Groove Mojo - Cradle to the Grave (2005)

REVIEW
Liquid Groove Mojo
Cradle To The Grave
© 2005 Kijam (837101027489)

LGM's latest album, "Cradle to the Grave" has been released worldwide. The title track single from the album is now receiving airplay on the Walmart Worldwide Radio Network, Indie Artist Radio and and is available at all digital download sites. It has been released to XM and Sirius Satellite Radio Networks. German, French and Polish music stores are carrying the new album, and it is also been released to over 100 radio markets nationally, along with all the major music publications.
The album was mixed by recording engineer, Jeff Brocaw, whose credits include 34 gold and platinum albums (Robert Cray, BB King). Jeff has also been nominated three times for Grammy awards. Mastering was performed by Greg Calbi at Sterling Sound in NYC. This year alone, Sterling Sound was nominated for a total of sixty-three Grammy Awards. As Greg Calbi put it, this album has "captured the Gov't Mule/Allman Brothers sound".
Liquid Groove Mojo is: Joe Pitts, Darrell Davis, Al Hagood and Brian Blankenship. These four musicians have a unique ability to come together and play as tight as a three piece power trio and turn right around and jam with improvisational guitar solos reminiscent of the legendary guitarists that have inspired them. Pitts and Davis has a strong musical background with having played over 600 shows together. Pitts has studied music at Berklee College of Music and Davis has studied music at the University of Arkansas. The rhythm section is nothing short of phenomenal. Hagood and Blankenship are a well oiled machine with a huge low end and a powerful drum groove that is considered to be one of the best rhythm sections around. Monsterous guitar tones, soaring slide guitar work, and soulful vocals round out this quartet's musical abilities. Prolific songwriting makes this bands' sound timeless as well as contemporary.
"Cradle to the Grave", was written mostly by Pitts and Davis, either individually, or as a writing team. Also, included on the album, is a song by Warren Haynes (Gov't Mule/Allman Brothers), and a song by the legendary Kinsey Report. It was recorded at Lonesome Oak Studio, in Arkansas, over a 6 month period.
The band also has an ever dynamic website at www.liquidgroovemojo.com or www.myspace.com/liquidgroovemojo.
CREDITS
Joe Pitts: Guitar & Vocals
Darrell Davis: Guitar & Vocals
Al Hagood: Bass
Bryan Blankenship: Drums & Percussion

TRACKS
1 Long Walk 4:35
2 High Price 3:58
3 Hello Goodbye 6:16
4 Cradle to the Grave 3:41
5 Storm Warning 7:06
6 Time Is Running Out 3:42
7 Sunshine 4:16
8 Back to Memphis 5:03
9 If Heartaches Were Nickels 5:46
10 Aces High/Deuces Low 4:02
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