Customer Reviews

Joe Perry

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

'Joe Perry' is the first Perry solo project since his return to Aerosmith, which was quite a while ago now, the first without band bitterness as well. Maybe that has a lot to do with it because this CD/DVD is loaded with creativity, not to mention some of the greatest licks and strums rock'n'roll has heard in some time. You can tell Joe had some fun recording this, as he really gets into it, and it's all him. Yes, it's all Joe Perry. He proves that he really doesn't need anyone (except a drummer, of course) to help him do the talking, and he's definitely got the rock'n'rolls again.

His influences show, too, which is pretty cool. Don't mind if I point out a few.

Keep in mind it's a dual disc in one. There is no space wasted!

Here are some notes I took while listening:

The CD:

1) "Shakin' My Cage": What an opener! It's steamy, hard driving blues-rock. Contains great slide guitar in the intro, throughout the song as well. The midway lead is a real Perry guitar extravaganza, crisp and loud. What rattles your cage? If this is Joe being rattled, watch out!

2) "Hold On Me": It has that Keith Richards sound to it, especially the vocals. Rock, rock, rock, with drivin' rhythm guitar. Fuzz lead with nice tone. Some tasty Aerosmith-like riffs and fills. It rocks!

3) "Pray For Me": Joe goes India in the intro! Then, a nice Alice In Chains sound when the song gets going, even throughout the bridge changes. Nice acoustic guitar; the mid lead did it for me, too. Nice modern-indie sound, very different from anything Aerosmith. Other bands are the influence in this one. It not only shows, it shines nicely.

4) "Can't Compare": Joe punks it up a bit. Very melodic in the chorus, sounds a bit like STP or Velvet Revolver. A good display of just how well he can sing. Excellent guitar sounds, a real potpourri. Chops galore at the end.

5) "Lonely": The intro amp noise prepares you for what's coming. Total distortion leads into some hot, hot punk ... sounds like Iggy here ... I've got a real TV Eye on this one. At the chorus it becomes Scott Weiland again. Guitar galore!

6) "Crystal Ship": Just when you thought he had done it all! This one moves to a whole different level! It kind of hits you in the face at startup. The rhythmic flow is awesome. You await that chorus buildup, and it leaves you on the edge, but he does it right. His voice is just perfect, not the power of Morrison, (but then again, who is?) but good all the same. The flow is amazing.

7) "Talk Talkin'": More slide and overdubbed harmony vocals. Starts like "On The Road Again" or "Spirit In The Sky". The fuzz guitar is a little reminiscent of that as well, but the comparison stops there. The harmonies on this one are The Bonaires (Billie Paulette Perry, Roman Perry, Paul Caruso, and Jim Survis ... maybe he got a tad lonely).

8) "Push Comes To Shove": By this one you're calming down a bit, as his style is starting to sink in and settle. More guitar, guitar, guitar!

9) "Twilight": A very interesting, moody, and solid instrumental. About 4 guitars, bass, drums. Intense, scorching tradeoff lead riffs alongside a vibrant and chimey rhythm, excellent rhythmic flow. Just the right tinge of delay and compression. I don't know what he's actually using here, the Tele maybe, because it sounds Fender everywhere.

10) "Ten Years": Country-like bluesy flow, nice twangy and reverberated lead. Mellow cut. Again, Keith Richards-like in the voice, without the rasp. His voice comes alive in the chorus and bridge sections. Nice harmonies ... and they're all him! He never ceases to amaze.

11) "Vigilante Man": Although it's a Woody Guthrie song, this is in no way Woody Guthrie! Powerful intro. More incredible slide. A little George Thorogood-like.

12) "Dying To Be Free": His vocals never cease to amaze me (Didn't I say that already?). The harmony is better than I would ever have thought possible, to be honest, especially coming from someone who knows he's not really a singer.

13) "Mercy": Excellent signature Perry riffs at the opening. A good closer. Instrumental rock perfection, guitar, guitar, guitar! Slide!

The DVD:

It's Perry at home in the Boneyard, his recording studio in Massachusetts, and it's recorded in 5.1 dolby digital surround. What a place! It's nice to be Joe Perry! He talks about the CD, why he decided to do it, and how he went about it. You get a good view of all his gear, too. The CD audio is repearted on the DVD as well.

* * *

This CD/DVD is just what the doctor ordered. There's nothing technically nor theoretically outstanding about it; it's simply excellent rock'n'roll ... and once again: guitar, guitar, guitar. It's Joe Perry at his finest, one of the great connoisseurs and players of the modern and vintage styles of rock and blues guitar.

If you look at Joe Perry's newest solo effort as a SOLO EFFORT, it is pretty damn good! A far cry from Just Push Play and the softer, more commercial side of Aerosmith over the last 10-12 years or so. The riffs are along the lines of the roots that started Aerosmith and influenced not only Joe, but his guitar partner in crime Brad Whitford...straight up rock and roll and blues. I know that Joe wanted it to be as much as a solo effort as possible (he says so on the DVD) but it would have been cool to have Brad step up to the plate with Joe a for at least two tracks. After all, they're styles are quite similar and that would have made for some great licks!

People miss the point about Joe singing on his record. He wanted a solo record. His voice may not be the best, but it's not the worst either. Some of the problem might be what key the tunes are in. Some singers have a hard time with certain keys and are limited, which sounds like the case here.

So, if you like classic Aerosmith...I mean the stuff you WON'T hear on the radio...pick up Joe Perry. It's pretty damn good! If you are into commercial Aerosmith like Crazy, Cryin', Don't wanna Miss A Thing...etc...FORGET ABOUT IT! Don't bother, cause you WILL be disappointed.

Also, one of the review writers recommended that watching the DVD side (its a dual disc) first is best...and it's true, Watch the DVD first so that you can get an idea of what to expect.
Great job Joe. Now talk Brad into doing a solo album.

The first time I heard the record I was a bit disappointed... specially for the vocals because I wanted Steven to be singing on the record, but this is no Aerosmith, this is Joe Perry!

The Second, and specially the third time I heard the record I loved it. It's as good as honkin' on bobo, with the main difference that most of this songs are original except from crystal ship and vigilante man.

This is an AWESOME record but it has no sticky melodies as many commercial records have nowadays, so listen to it at least 3 times and you will see what I mean.

*Best Songs: Can't Compare, Shakin' my cage, Lonely, Crystal Ship, Twilight, Vigilante Man

*Could have been better: Mercy and Talk talkin'

One of the reviews I read mentioned that Joe Perry is "no Steven Tyler," which is, unfortunately, a reminder that practically no one has any idea how much work is involved in creating something like this.

Joe Perry sang lead and background vocals, played all of the guitars, bass, keyboards, and even produced this album. Yet, everyone seems to be focusing, almost exclusively, on Joe's vocals. Get over it. It's an honest album! Something that's very hard to find these days.

I can't help but wonder what Steven Tyler would sound like if he had to sing, play lead and rhythm guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and produce his own solo album. Sure, Steven likes to tinker with different instruments, but let's face it; his album probably wouldn't be that good.

Having said that, I really like the fact that the album was released as a dual disc. The behind-the-scenes footage, and surround sound mix are definitely worth checking out.

Actually, I'm surprised Joe Perry decided to release the opening track, "Shakin My Cage," as the first single. "Vigilante Man" is, by far, the best performance on the album, and would be a welcome addition to an upcoming Aerosmith set list.

Of course, it would be even better to see Joe Perry tour in support of the album. I've always regretted not seeing the Project live. Maybe it's not too late to see Joe perform songs like "Let the Music Do the Talking," "Break Song," "East Coast, West Coast," and "South Station Blues."

"Joe Perry" is a must if you're an obsessive Aerosmith fan, or if you're at all familiar with The Joe Perry Project. Joe's an excellent guitarist, and he's playing extremely well on this album.

If there ever was a guitar God it's Joe Perry! The man, the myth, the legend is back witha new album, what could be better? Nothing right? Being a guitar player myself, not to the callaber of the great Joe Perry but a guitar player non the less I am in awe of ability and talent that man holds in his hands. Perry has been my hero ever since I first heard Walk This Way and Dream On. When I got my first tape of Aerosmith's Greatest Hits it was all over, a Joe Perry fanatic from that day on. To me no one compares to this man!

In the past solo Joe Perry albums have been good but they could have been better. Better guitar, better bands, and deffinatley better vocals (all Joe Perry's lead singers have sucked except for Steven Tyler, who has the greatest voice ever! This time around Perry does all the singing as he should he has a nice voice. It's no Steven Tyler thats for sure but for what its worth its a good voice. And besides this album isnt about Perrys singing it's about his guitar playing. I have always felt Perry held somewhat back with Aerosmith well not here.

The album starts out with 'Shakin My Cage' which features one of the very best guitar solo's the man has ever written, its up there with Walk This Way and Love In An Elevator. And shows what an underrated slide guitar player Joe is. 'Hold On Me' and 'Pray For Me' are both dark songs that feature greart guitar as well as vocals. The vocals on Pray For Me are Perry's best on the album, and the acoustic guitar solo is a really nice touch as Perry hardly everr plays an acoustic guitar. 'Can't Compare' is another good song with good vocals and a fantastic guitar solo. 'Lonely' is my favorite song on the album. The lyrics are cool and just pure rock and roll. The guitar playing is hard, heavy, and distorted. Sure to be concidered a classic! Next is a cover of The Door's classic 'Crystal Ship' and while Joe doesnt quite have the pipes to cover Jim Morrison he more then makes up for that in his guitar solo that isnt in the original version. I dont know which version I like more. 'Talk Talkin' and 'Push Comes To Shove' are nice bluesy tunes with catchy hooks. Talk Talkin has one of the coolest guitar riffs I have ever heard. 'Twilight' is a nice instramental with out of this world guitar playing and an even more amazing solo. It's songs like this that show time and time again why Joe Perry is the greatest guitar player to ever live. 'Ten Years' is a love song that Joe wrote for his wife as a wedding present and it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. This man really loves his wife. Next is another cover. This time it's a blues song by Woody Gurthrie called 'Vigilante Man' which has some killer slide work. I like this version a hell of a lot better then the original. 'Dying To Be Free' is a dark errie song that isnt really something you would expect from Perry, but it's a good song. The album ends with another instramental called 'Mercy' which onces again has killer guitars intertwineing with each other and gives the song a really cool feel. It's the perfect song to end the album in my openion.

Joe Perry has made one of the greatest guitar albums of all time with this release and also one of the all time greatest blues rock albums ever. I cant wait untill the next Aerosmith album is released because I heard that they are going backto their old sound of the mid 1970's which gives Perrys another chance to shine, do your self a favor and pick up this album but be warned you'll wanna pick up a guitar as well!

This album is about the Guitars!!. All of you who are whining about the vocals are missing the point. No he can't sing, he is a guitar player, period. On this album he is allowed the freedom to strut his stuff without the restraints of having to worry about being commercial like the modern Aerosmith. This is Joe Perry unleashed. This is everything us old Aerosmith fans want them to be but aren't anymore. If you want singing don't buy this but if you love guitars like I do than turn this baby up to 11 and make sure the plaster on your ceiling is in good shape cause it's comin' down!

This is an excellent Joe Perry CD. I think some Aerosmith fans may have a problem with it for one main reason: it's modern. As great a band as Aerosmith is, especially live, they haven't done anything modern in years. Some fans can't handle a modern sound. Joe shows in numerous places on the CD that he has been listening to the music of others over the past few years. His inspirations are exposed. It's the guitar we're actually listening to here; the vocals are average, that's all. This CD rocks!

"Joe Perry" is a great rock album, with a feel of older garage bands and real experimental guitar. For a record itself, it can hold its own. But Aerosmith fans should not expect a new Aerosmith record, for it is far from it. There is no Love in an Elevator or Sweet Emotion, but there is plenty of Joe letting out all he was going for on Honkin on Bobo. If you're a fan of 60's and/or early 70's garage band rock, or just some Joe Perry guitar, this is for you. But if you're a fan of Aerosmith in the 90's, you might want to sample it first, cause hey, Aeorsmith will be back out there soon enough. And in case you're wondering, no, this does not sound much of anything like the Joe Perry Project from 81-83. Mostly because Joe does 100% of the vocals here. As far as the mixing goes, the 5.1 dvd side of the Dual Disc format is amazing. If you've got a dvd player and surround sound, don't even think about putting this in your cd player first. But even for those of us without surround sound, the cd side is mixed great too. Hope this helps! ~Your neighborhood Aerosmith fan

Joe Perry delivers his 4th solo album, but this is actually the first solo album that is solo in the deepest sence of the word: Joe does everything here except for the drums: plays all the guitars, bass, keyboards and all the vocals. Its much better and "truer" than solo album of rock stars of Joe Perry's status that bring every guest they can to play (Recently Joe himself guested on Mick Jagger's latest solo album on two songs). Not Joe.

The songs themselves are diverse. The first song in one of the best songs Aerosmith never recorded. It's got the vibe of Draw The Line and Let The Music Do The Talkin', great riff that only Joe Perry can deliver and a great solo.
When Joe starts to sing the 2nd song, you can hear the problem: on some songs he aims too high. A singer should know the limitations of his own voice, and work within those limitations. When he does that (shakin' my cage, push comes to shove, pray for me) the resaults are great. but when he aims too high (hold on me, crystal ship, ten years) the results are poor.
Musically speaking, its a great album and suprisingly diverse. from hard rockers like the opening song to psycadelic tracks like pray for me, crystal ship and twilight to power ballads, its all here.

This album is as close as you can get to enter Joe Perry's head and roam around between the different sounds. Although its far from perfect, it the mose honest record he ever made, and for some moments this album hits great musical peaks.

I would say no more, because I bed speak in English
But I've listen Aerosmith for 7 years, and all this time I'm never disappoint in them.
Joe Perry is really special guitar player, but when he workin' alone it's looks like tradition hard-rock.
Very good, high-quality and professional.
So...if you want listen good music, you can take it!