6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hopefully a long way to go, May 11, 2004
This review is from: True Companion (Audio CD)
Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers do it again. The eleven tracks on this disc rock harder than anything else released this year. The word on the band has always been "you have to see them live."
Well with this cd documents the sound better than anything they've ever put out. The songs give the band a chance to show off their chops and showcase their world class musicianship.
The disc kicks off with Long Way to Go. This song gives a brief overview of Grushecky's career culminating in, "Hell I'm only in my 50's, I've got a long, long way to go - hey hey hey."
The songs' sound evokes the Stones, Dylan, South Side Johnny, Van Morison, Little Steven's solo work, and other classic rock bands while sounded fresh and contemporary.
The cd returns to talk about those who have kept Grushecky company time and again - his friends, band and family. He even collaborates with band member Bill Toms on two songs and his son Johnny on two as well to keep the theme going.
Joe even includes his beloved Pittsburgh as a companion by updating Dirty Water (Pittsburgh you're my home).
After a seven year absence from the recording studio, the Houserockers release the pent up energy in songs that veer from genre to genre sometimes in the same song. Elements of punk, country, blues, hard rock, roots rock, pop, and even gospel run through this release. The return of original Iron City Houserocker Marc Reisman on harmonica has really moved the band toward a gritty rust belt sound.
For old fans, this is the cd we've been waiting for. For new fans this is a great place to jump on the band wagon.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Joe Grushecky Makes Another Great One, December 2, 2005
This review is from: True Companion (Audio CD)
Joe Grushecky's CD TRUE COMPANION is GREAT! Most of his original band is back, and his voice is as good as it was in 1980, only deepened in resonance with time. The songs speak of survival, friendship, love, and commitment through times both good and bad, and seems to justify why people believe in life itself even when things go rough. In addition, Grushecky's belief that the young Australian tourist jailed in Indonesia on drug-smuggling charges was unjustly convicted makes this CD an essential purchase for your conscience as well as your ears.
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