DJ for Goin' Across The Mountain
Spindale, North Carolina, United States
Joe is an alumnus of ICC and, after a nearly 30-year radio broadcasting career, has come home to WNCW. He was part of the planning of our WNCW facility before the first brick was laid and since then has worked at radio stations across the Carolinas and Virginia. His career took him to heritage radio stations in places like Charlotte, Greenville, SC, Roanoke, VA and smaller towns like Shelby and North Wilkesboro.
Latest Album Reviews
Review of To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger
Album Info: To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger
John McCutcheon Album: To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger Label: Appalseed Genre(s): Contemporary Folk, FolkTraditional Folk Posted By: Duane Verh
Jan 20, 2019
Review
The sheer humanity- and ironically frequent timeliness- of Pete Seeger’s music is splendidly showcased by the folk icon’s protégé John McCutcheon and a multitude of guests on this high-spirted, tastily arranged set. Ebullient takes on “Well May The World Go” and “If I Had A Hammer” set both the tone and the high musical bar evident in each succeeding track. Guests include Beausoliel fiddler Michael Doucet, bluesman Corey Harris and 90’s country hitmaker Suzy Boguss. In addition to the afore-mentioned tracks, “Turn, Turn, Turn” and the provocative “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy” stand out.
Denise Glover Album: Gaps in the Stories Label: Blue Poppy Genre(s): Contemporary Folk Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 18, 2019
Review
The music of singer-songwriter Denise Glover, from Seattle, emphasizes rootsy original material with poignancy and soul. Besides singing, Glover plays guitar and mandolin. Her bandmates include Julian Smedley (guitar, violin, viola), Cary Black (bass), Bob Knetzger (Dobro, pedal steel) and Jeff Bush (percussion). The band gives us a passionate acoustic folk and Americana repertoire emphasizing prolific contemporary messages, thoughtful arrangements, graceful instrumentation, and relaxed vocals.
Opening with “Gaps in the Stories,” we hear about forgotten ones searching for meaning and relevance. It’s a stark reminder that life isn’t perfect, but one must stay optimistic and keep on believing. Other songs on the album perpetuate this theme. “Mary the Forgotten One” tells an alternate history of Mary Magdalen. Whether based on a dream or
Ted Piltzecker Album: Brindica Label: Zoho Genre(s): Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 17, 2019
Review
Vibraphonist Ted Piltzecker’s fifth album and debut on the Zoho label is called “Brindica” (short for Brazil, India, Africa). His worldwide musical journey also takes us on side excursions to Bali, Cuba Puerto Rico, New Orleans and Harlem. Recorded in New York and Buenos Aires, the album features am extraordinary array of musicians who masterfully play horns, piano, woodwinds, percussion and steel pan. For Afro-Cuban flavors, punctuated with vibes and steel pan, check out the opener “Great Idea! Who Pays?” For a Latin-flavored romp, listen to “Por Supuesto.” Balinese Gamelan elements, featuring the alto flute, are heard in “Ogoh, Ogoh.” The title cut overlays African Xhosa click singing on a bed of Brazilian rhythms. This wide-ranging musical travelogue takes us to exotic places. Piltzecker has some eclectic influences, and
Norman Johnson Album: The Art of Life Label: Pacific Coast Jazz Genre(s): Smooth Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 17, 2019
Review
Guitarist and composer Norman Johnson was born in Jamaica but now makes his home in Hartford, CT where he actively performs, teaches and records. With a smooth jazz style reminiscent of George Benson, Wes Montgomery and Earl Klugh, Johnson also has some distinctive, personalized, soulful stylings of his own. For this 25-minute album (his third project), he plays bass, piano, as well as doing the programming and background vocals. We also hear Chris Herbert and John Mastroianni (sax), Bill Holloman (horns), Jeff Holmes (trumpet), Steve Davis (trombone), Matt Dwonszyk (bass), Mitch Chakour (piano, organ), Alex Nakhimovsky (piano) and Ed Fast (drums). Vocalists include Grayson Hugh, June Bisantz, Atla DeChamplain, Poller Messer and Lisa Marien. Bisantz gives us a smooth, silky delivery on the piece she co-penned, “It’s You.” The closer, “Summer Dance,” is a
Review of Paquito Libre (feat. Paquito D'Rivera & Darwin Noguera)
Album Info: Paquito Libre (feat. Paquito D'Rivera & Darwin Noguera)
Volcano Radar Album: Paquito Libre (feat. Paquito D'Rivera & Darwin Noguera) Label: Delmark Genre(s): Avant-Garde Jazz Posted By: Joe Ross
Jan 17, 2019
Review
Liner notes emphasize this project as “…vivid yet mysterious, story-swept yet openly improvised soundscapes…” and Volcano Radar is an “explosive, expansive, radiant electro-acoustic ensemble.” The band, co-led by guitarist Julia A. Miller and multi-instrumentalist Elbio Barilari, collaborate with Paquito D’Rivera (clarinet, sax) and Darwin Noguera (organ, piano). The band also includes Rollo Radford (electric bass) and Ernie Adams (drums, percussion). The pieces are fluid, moody, creative, meandering. Arrangements provide haunting passages, melodic interludes for contemplation, and organic undercurrents to tap one’s consciousness. However, one must be in the right frame of mind for this kind of spacey jazz music. On each track, whether it be "East Pole West Pole” or “Afterimages” or “The Quark and the
Sep 25, 2018 -
Fitzsimon and Brogan have leaked two tracks featuring Mick "Woody" Woodmansey on drums. He is the last living member of Ziggy... Read Full Article
Sep 17, 2018 -
Across The Board - "Live In Studio" EP Now Available
The Toronto-based pop-rock band will release three new "Live Off The... Read Full Article
