I worked with John Lennon....No wonder I felt that touch of soul - Music is the "essence of your soul."
I had the wonderful good fortune to not only work with some of the most famous Rock Stars of my generation, but I sing as well.
You are to me like Artemis is to the great novels. The beauty of you is not just in your appearance, for I know what it is to be seen as just a face and a body, that misses the mark - for what lay inside is pure Elegance and Brilliance.
Joe is a Professional Rock Singer...
Every now and then IL Destino or Destiny takes a hand, touches a mortal. Right in our midst, even a member of this site is another God Gift to All the Music Lovers, Romantics, Poets, Troubadors of the Heart who is well known but not yet World Known. His name is Joe Gande and you may have seen his picture on one of my blogs. To say he is handsome to die for would be a rather gross understatement, but in reality while that is the icing on the cake, he is soo much more.
Listen to his music, he is doing it all! Like John or Mick or even The Boss...but he is also a lover of humanity, women, family, the Artist Personified. Joe is a down to earth, honest soul, good Guy. No one has to sell his talent, just listen to his music. No one has to be convinced of his appeal, honey he is Magic to Watch. Most of all to me, no one has to convince me, after working with the best the world has ever know in this venue, that you all will be hearing from him, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce you to The Man not the Rising Star, for he is a really good person, and in this world, these times, when he has the same problems of life as you and me, we have a Humble, Handsome, Honorable Gentleman with a Faith in the Impossible, and an eye towards always being true to his music, that is well worth picking up on.
So...Ladies and Gentlemen...please join with me in a real welcome to one of the Real People, who just happens to do Extra Ordinary things with his talents, Mr. Joe Gande.
God Bless Us All, you see, Heaven sees and hear everything!
Beauty and Art go hand in hand....
This is a special man, not too many left. We know them when we meet them, so give him your hand and be loving we all are One Humanity.
Take the music...and then sing with your whole being for YOU are the Song Joe!
Amen
Lauretta
Joe Gande is an American musician who messaged me asking if I could write an online review of the songs on his site.So check him out-he's definitely worth a listen. Here we go...Everything about this collection of songs reflects an honest and truthful approach towards the experiences and emotions that we all share. His music entices you in with "Brighter Day" and then plays on your heartstrings.His voice is reminiscent of Joe Cocker...searching, aching, projecting, intelligent, observational lyrics that are timeless. Check out '25 Hours' and 'Just Because ' in particular. He encapsulates a yearning that borders on pain-lost love, the need to move on, regret, taking risks and chances. The retro feel to the music is refreshing and complements Joe's voice perfectly with echoes of the 70's-Motown, Gospel and Big Band creating an emotional pull that is irresistible. He told me "I wanted to capture every nuance and detail and true feeling and the 'magic' that happens from doing so.....which is not so popular in today's music business...." On the strength of these songs, Joe could be the one who restores the magic.....
Joe Gande and The Godsend Sessions-Will touch your heart. It's really hard to believe they posess so much talent and versatility.
Soulful, Rock-Blues, music of the finest quality.
Joe Gande is an amazingly talented artist. He could move anyone with his voice and guitar. It would be hard to listen to this music and not walk away thinking about what you just heard. "Addictive". "An emotional journey into your soul".
The Godsend Sessions are immensely talented and bring to life sensational sounds that touch the heart and stir the soul. With songs like "Been So Many Years", which is one of those songs that make you stop what you are doing and listen. Definitely the song to make you feel.
"Brighter Day", a blues/rock tune full of heart felt sound.
Joe and The Godsend Sessions may just very well be some of the best music you add to your cd collection....
As hard to describe as his voice is the music that he and Ostberg (along with Kevin Bregande on drums, James B. Gately Jr. Guitar, Craig Shrawder on Keyboards) create. The music that is unbelievably unique. I was describing one song to a friend, and explained the cool melody and heavy riff, and then explained how a muted trumpet pops out of the right speaker. He smiled and0 said, "Cool" but I know he was thinking, "huh?" It's like Sly Stone singing with the Black Crowes. There is also a part of the sound that can only be described as "New York". It's a jazzy, fretless vibe that mixes in occasionally that makes you smile at such a collaboration (and then makes you wonder why you didn't think of it first). By the last song you're going "this is so TGS."
Joe and crew did something very smart. They saved (and saved) their pennies and went to a top line studio, got it mastered, and mixed so that you will have to ask yourself multiple times, "This is an indie band?" The songs are mature, with phenomenal arrangements, and do something else (with a complimentary nod to the 70's) they spread their stereo W I D E. You got a left and right speaker. Why not use them? After you get done listening to the car on the way home, put on a pair of headphones and listen again. It's very cool.
The band is currently preparing for some spotlight shows in New York. Most importantly go to http://www.wired4soundrecords.com and buy their CD so you can say "I knew them before they got signed." On a side note, if you are looking for places to list your band, I would check out their mp3 site, as Joe has been busy listing them everywhere.Amongst all of the many clubs and things to do on a New York Friday, I found myself at the right place at the right time on April 13, 2001 when, at the request of a friend, I went to see The Godsend Sessions play at the Cutting Room. First of all, The Cutting Room is quite a find on its own. Small with a big feel – tight but open enough for all to cut loose. The setting was just right for my first encounter with The Godsend Sessions.
Rock and Roll? Nope. Rock, Roll, and Soul. The Godsend Sessions brought back decades of influential themes while infusing modern day angst and grit. Led by singer/songwriter Joe Gande, the band pounded out truly original cuts. The vibe of the band and the music was familiar and intimate, yet the band was huge! The horn section spilled off the stage onto the floor with the audience.
On stage something electric was happening: bass, rhythm guitar, keys, jazz-style drumming meshed with soulful, lead vocals and well harmonized backing vocals, then sprinkled with the flavor of the horn section that came and went appropriately. It was a musical feast that a band like Pink Floyd would attempt and pull off, and The Godsend Sessions distinctly did the same. However, The Godsend Sessions were strictly music – no gimmicks – original and heartfelt. Musicians without the pretensions, Rock Stars without the egos. The Godsend Sessions rely on the strength of Joe's music - and what wonderful music it was! ‘Brighter Day’, ‘Shelter Me’ and ‘Lost Her Head’ were the most amazing songs I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in a long time. Members of the audience were actually singing along to ‘Can’t See My Life’. The crowd was with the band that night.
My note to the band: I wish you could have seen the expressions on the faces in the crowd during your last song (‘The La-La Song’). Every instrument was climbing the scales– a tangled musical frenzy reaching an orgasmic high. And then . . . it stopped. Complete silence. The air echoed in that silence until broken by applause. And THEN-YOU DID IT AGAIN! Another explosion of music that again stopped abruptly and anticipatory. The crowd LOVED it and I LOVED it.
On my first listen of "Lost Her Head" I hear a blending of many styles. The Godsend Sessions definitely know their classics. I hear distorted guitar, the vocals are relaxed and somewhat gruff, and the trumpet is a very good addition. The trumpet really nails everything down, while the driving energetic beat forms the backbone. The vocals are delivered in a slow, detached and stylish manor, while the music is deliberate and controlled. "Lost Her Head" stylistically sounds like a mix of Blues and Classic Rock.
Who could imagine the sound of Joe Gande was so splendid in this time?
The session I attended was played in the East Village, NYC on 12th April.
It was second time in this year, just 1 week after the first session of 2005.
It is very difficult to figure out what sound is the most symbolic of 2005.
For the grown-up, like the people who went through the 60's and 70's, and the new young rock fan alike,
it is not so easy to find a new favorite band these days, however, if you are enthusiastic to rock music,
it is possible to find a great one...
And I found my new favorite in my music lover's history again...Joe Gande.
Joe and his band let me have the real rock...
It reminds me of the sounds that I used to listen to as a teenager,
although it is not
exactly the same taste as old style rock and is also new and like breathing new fresh air.
He has a great potential to breach the ocean...
We are waiting for his new performances and numbers, and want to see
the proof that we are still alive in 2005.
To: Joe