Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Black Joe Lewis | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 17, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Lost Highway
• ASIN: B001SMC91M
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,384 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Tell `Em What Your Name Is!, the debut album from Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears is set for release by Lost Highway on March 17. Formed in Austin, TX, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears is an eight-piece, garage-soul ensemble featuring groove-laden guitars, penetrating brass and a fiery frontman who exudes power and attitude.

Experiencing the raw energy of Black Joe's performances, accompanied by The Honeybears' masterful backing is the equivalent of a kick to the stomach. Their gut-shot style, felt in such songs as "Gunpowder", "Master Sold My Baby" and "I'm Broke", draws directly from their classic soul, R&B and blues influences. Inspiration from artists such as Otis Redding and The Bar-Kays, James Brown and Lightning Hopkins are clearly present in their songs and live shows, but Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears inject a full-tilt, unabashedly brash element to this old-school style.

Tell `Em What Your Name Is! was produced by Jim Eno of Spoon, and recorded, mostly live in the studio, in Austin, TX.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars The Great Grandson of Soul June 3, 2009

By korova

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Hehhhh! Something great has been brewing over the last couple of years. Funky, gutbucket soul music is back! Not the canned, overblown, and ersatz junk you hear on TV singing contests and sitcoms but true 60's style R&B. Sharon Jones, Amy Winehouse (yes, Amy Winehouse-she used Sharon Jones' backing band on Back to Black), and Raphael Saadiq are all doing their part to resurrect soul. And now Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears have stepped up to the plate.

Tell `Em What Your Name Is! is a gritty, storming, high energy debut album. Black Joe Lewis sings like James Brown and the Honeybears have that classic bass-and-horn driven Stax sound. That's right, it's like the Godfather of Soul fronting the Mar-Keys or Booker T. & the MGs. Talk about two great things that go great together--forget Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

If that doesn't mean anything to you, just listen to the samples. You'll be up and on your feet dancing in no time. Then, check out some JB and Stax cuts and you'll see what I'm talkin' about.

Now then, back to the album. It's pretty much funky soul all the way through, with a few blues tunes, including a Yardbirds style rave up and a Fat Possum-like Mississippi hill country droner, tossed in for good measure. Black Joe and the band play loud and hard on every track...don't go looking for any slow jams on this platter. The only real flaws are that the running time is kind of short and the music seems to have been mixed for iPod and computer listening, with every element of the music placed way upfront. These are minor quibbles, however, and don't take much away from what is a fun and enjoyable record.

Bottom line: both old school and newer soul/R&B fans will dig this album. Strongly recommended.

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This disc made me think of these...
It's Great When You're Straight...Yeah: Happy Mondays + Stax = Memphchester
What It Is!: cool box set of obscure and rare soul cuts

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars His Name is Black Joe Lewis April 23, 2009

By David Shadd

Format:Audio CD

It is impossible to listen to this album and not want to dance around. There should be a warning on this album not to listen to it in the car, because I can't really contain myself. I haven't seen such energy and such a fun performer in many years. Black Joe and the Honeybears are a strange mix of funk, soul and rock and roll. I think the reviews call this "garage funk" or "garage soul" and that seems pretty accurate.

My favorite song from the album is "I'm Broke". I can't get the song out of my head, but it's not a bad thing. But "Sugarfoot" is a close second. I absolutely love the horns. There really isn't a bad song anywhere on the album.

It is ridiculous to think that this is the first record from this guy. The music is raw, high-energy and will absolutely make it impossible for you to stay in your seat.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible April 7, 2009

By Richard Yager

Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase

I went to see Mates Of State in Dallas, TX and Black Joe Lewis was opening for them. I enjoyed them so much, I just HAD to have physical copy of their music and went and bought a CD after the show (something I rarely do).

This band is extremely funky and talented. The use of horns and 'James Brown' style of singing makes Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears a truly enjoyable experience.

I plan on seeing them every time they come to town, and I HIGHLY recommend you do the same.