3/2009 Music Connection Write-up
The Players: Big Joe Hurt, guitar, lead vocal; Walter P Little, bass; Juan Martin, congas, harmonica; Elijah Smalley, lead guitar; Alana Lee, harmony vocals; Marissa Delgadillo, harmony vocals.
Material: Big Joe Hurt presents self-described "grown-up music." This is true, in the sense that grown-ups who have experienced love, loss and the wide spectrum of human emotion will relate to his Latin- and jazz-infused tunes that reside somewhere between Jason Mraz and Los Lonely Boys. Big Joe Hurt covers Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" the way it should be covered: with an individual take unique to his cool, sweet style. For Joe, melody is king, but it is a royalty without extravagance, enjoyable in its simplicity. a great way to market your product or service, and also create credibility and build your organization’s identity among peers, members, employees, or vendors.
Musicianship: The players in Big Joe Hurt's band are, much like their frontman, beautifully understated. Stemming from the jazz influence, each musician takes a solo, but this group is solid in its cohesion. The solos are short and simple yet clearly show the talent each musician has. For those put off by long, self-indulgent solos sometimes found in jazz, there is nothing to fear.
Performance: Big Joe Hurt was at home on stage. Sharing stories of musical inspiration, this crooner had a welcoming style matched by his band. Backing vocalists Alana Lee and Marissa Delgadillo were devastatingly adorable and
approachable in appearance and ability. These musicians weren't rock stars; there were no egos or grandstanding. It was an evening of comfort music to warm your soul.
Summary: Big Joe Hurt has a very specific vision for his music: love. As he said, "I hope one day, [my music] is responsible for one child." Perhaps it is this feeling that comes across and makes a Big Joe Hurt experience so
heartwarming and welcoming. Perfect for film in any romantic comedy, or even some private nookie music. Big Joe Hurt proves he's got lots of love to go around.
~~~Paula Muñoz
1/25/2008 - Big Joe Hurt releases : "No Pain No Gain"
Valley News
This
unique and refreshing new voice is making a splash here in the valley
the old-fashioned way: through hard work, nonstop touring, and word of
mouth accolades.
What makes Big Joe Hurt unique is that his voice is a rare
blend of Soul and Folk with the ability to do it both in english and
spanish.
He combines a mix of valley talent in his EP release No Pain
No Gain. Guitarist and VAVV Records recording artist Scott Detweiler,
Guitarist Alex Laborde of Noxdiei,Singer Song writer Joceyln Kay Lee,
Hip Hop artist Nathias Paul aka Boss Hogg of WCS, percussionist Steven
Olivera and Ritchie Orantes. All of this talent alongside Big Joe's
accomplished acoustic guitar playing.
The stellar rhythm section of drummer Steven Olivera, and Orantes
bring their latin flavor to this fusion of Blues, Soul, and Hip Hop.
No Pain No Gain is an independent release that was
completed in late 2007. Big Joe credits Detweiler with being an
essential part of the albums completion. "Scott is a dynamic musician
who took me under his wing and shared his experience in studio," said
Hurt. In listening to the album you can hear Detweiler's influence in
the spanish tune Dejame en Tu Ayer and Blues tune 6am. Hurts voice
resembles everything from Tom Waits to the seductive tone of Erykah
Badu.
Remember two things about this album it features
rootsy, thoughtful meditations that allow an already seasoned voice and
player to stretch out his sound. Though Hurt has many years fronting
Blues and Funk bands in the grand tradition of George Clinton, the
songwriting is surprisingly diverse and accomplished throughout No Pain No Gain beginning with the growling blues song "6am," an excellent album opener, and then continuing with the single "Mothers Dirt."
If
you are looking for an album to play on road trips or while curling up
on cold rainy nights "No Pain No Gain," is a great choice. If you would
like to purchase "No Pain No Gain," or check out one of Hurt's shows
you can find his calendar and links at www.myspace.com/bigjoehurt.