Dirty Linen #116 pg 90
JOE WEST SOUTH DAKOTA HAIR-DO (frogville fv-00015)
Joe West is such a class act that he even wears a white Colonel Sanders-type suit, although it seems a little inconguous considering the proletarian, white trash images s [+]Dirty Linen #116 pg 90
JOE WEST SOUTH DAKOTA HAIR-DO (frogville fv-00015)
Joe West is such a class act that he even wears a white Colonel Sanders-type suit, although it seems a little inconguous considering the proletarian, white trash images some of his songs convey. If Lou Reed's roots were in New Mexico and Texas, he'd probably sound like Joe West. There's a sparse, economical quality to West's songwriting style. The lyrics often deal with alcohol and drug-laden characters. As with West's past albums, the production allows the singer's melodies and intriguing lyrics to stand out; the rythem section is funky and the electric guitar understated but sharp. "Cold Canadian Love" is a haunting song that features very effective use of dobro. "Reprimand" and "Jamie III" seem to be sequel songs to "Jamie Was a Boozer" the title song of a previous West album. Jamie also shows up in "More Than You'll Ever Know" a song that alludes to the hey day of the Sex Pistols, and in "Video Taping Our Love" . With SOUTH DAKOTA HAIRDO. Joe West proves once again that he deserves to be a cult figure, if he isn't already one. PEC
True West Magazine Jan/Feb 2004 pg.84 by CORINNE BROWN Not Just Another Pretty Voice Joe West is all for underdogs, boozers and lovers
New Mexico is home to many legends: Billy the Kid, the Roswell Alien and a hometown kid whose real name actually happens to be Joe West. This guileless, irreverent, social satirist rivets audiences at local stages, such as the Mineshaft Tavern in Madrid and the Cowgirl Bar in Santa Fe.
Recent refugees from the Austin, Texas, scene, West and his original band, The Sinners, quickly attained cult status with their driving beat and angst-ridden lyrics, referred to by one reviewer as "country-punk singer-songwriter based rock."
Two years of onstage experimentation with alternate musicians in Santa Fe at the Cowgirl Bar (known as The Lamp Sessions) pushed his evolution into its latest incarnation. His new group, the South Dakota Hairdo band, takes his original sound even further, but with less bluegrass. The recently released CD, SOUTH DAKOTA HAIRDO, from Frogville Records, is dark, haunting and filled withsarcasm.
Often defigned as "undefignable," West's wicked mix of pathos and humor is laced with
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