Waitin on Joe

Steve Azar | Format: Audio Cassette

Product Details

• Audio Cassette (April 16, 2002)
• Original Release Date: 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Umvd Labels
• ASIN: B00006359B
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,799,394 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)

2. How Long Is This Time Gonna Be

3. Damn the Money

4. Waitin' on Joe

5. My Hearts Wants to Run

6. The Underdog

7. One Good Reason Why

8. Lay Your Heart Next to Mine

9. Goin' to Beat the Devil (To See My Angel Tonight)

10. You Don't Know How It Feels

11. River's on the Rise

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Singer-songwriter Steve Azar arrives on his debut as an artist in conflict--one who needs to survive on radio, but can't deny his desire to join the alt-country ranks. As such, he tries to meld the two with schizophrenic, if not unsuccessful results. "I Don't Have to Be Me (‘Til Monday)," an Everyman's exuberant celebration of calling in sick at work, scored at radio, and there's plenty more here, including the love ballad "Lay Your Heart Next to Mine," that could follow. But Azar's more interesting songs (some cowritten with producer Rafe Van Hoy) go the pared-down, Todd Snider route. "Damn the Money," for instance, a rockin' little shuffle about that elusive green stuff, could show up in a discussion in No Depression, as could "The Underdog." Azar isn't going to win awards for his serviceable vocals, but he may turn heads with the title track, which starts out as a likeable blue-collar lament and turns into a modern-day "Wreck of the Old '97." If that's not a bridge between musical cultures, well, Roy Acuff ain't country as corn in July. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Steve, You Have Our Attention, August 20, 2002

By 

Brian Mumpower - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Waitin' on Joe (Audio CD)

What sets Steve Azar's debut apart from the other newly discovered talents of 2002, is that it has the feel of an artist who has been around for a long time. In fact, Steve has done his homework and deserves the recognition that "Waitin' On Joe" is getting. We would have all known who he was in 1996, had his record label (River North Nashville Records) not gone defunct. This CD is a rare combination of country, rock, blues and jazz that is missing in other new talent. It has a decidedly "delta" influence due to Steve's Mississippi upbringing. Azar penned 2 and co-wrote the remaining 9 tracks, and not one is second rate. "I Don't Have to Be Me ('Til Monday)" was a wise choice for a breakout single release. Everyone can identify with this song. Who wouldn't choose to spend time cruising in a new car over going to work? A rare picture of the fact that a man's heart is as fragile as a woman's is vividly captured in the superb "How Long Is This Time Gonna Be". "Damn the Money" reminds us all that spending too much time chasing after the all-important dollar may not be the best use of our time. The title track "Waitin' On Joe", is a heart rending brotherly tale that is typical of what makes country music universally appealing. Azar adds two tracks of pure fun. Who doesn't root for "The Underdog", and who could possibly sit still while listening to the rousing "One Good Reason Why? "Lay Your Heart Next To Mine," is an instant classic love song that would make a great wedding tune. The country rock ballad "Goin' To Beat The Devil (To See My Angel Tonight) just makes you want to turn the CD player up and put the pedal to the metal. The closing anthem "River's On The Rise" tells the story of the man who has found his one true love. If you appreciate county music and talent, you owe it to yourself to add this to your collection.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One good reason why is hes very talented/good ol stuff!, April 26, 2002

By 

Mr. Nate (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waitin' on Joe (Audio CD)

I'm listening to this cd right now, and loving it. Mississippi native Steve Azar brings this new cd, "Waiting on Joe". It's his second chance at stardom, and I think hes gonna shine this time out. His single out right now is Top 10, and thats a great hint. All of these 11 tracks Steve wrote himself. Hes said it, and its evident that hes got some blues influences and country, wide range. If you like, "I dont have to be till Monday", theres plenty more to give you thirst. For example, "Damn the money", is such a great country song, sit back and the hell with it, its so laid back. But that song has a great message at the end, and I like how its written. "Waiting on Joe", would have to be in my top 3, this song is incredible. Its almost a given this will be his next single. Anybody can relate to that song, and I'm sure it would do very well on radio. "The Underdog", I think is a great sports war song. I can see this song being played frequently at sporting events/motivational speeches. The song, "One good reason why", might be my favorite. The first thing you'll notice to that song is the introduction. I love how it kicks into high gear when the chorus erupts. The song, "Lay your heart next to mine", is a slower ballad, which brings you to your knees, because you feel this way. The country dirt road kicker,"Goin to beat the devil to see my angel tonight", is such a feel good, down a dirt road with the top down kind of song. The closer song, "The rivers on the rise", is 5 or so minutes long, but it lives its reign. This song is very easy to get stuck in your head, it seems so real and right now! It gets chilly thinking about the deltas eyes in the song, but its all for a good cause, with being in love.
I won't say Steve Azar is better than someone like Phil Vassar, but he might be, its too early to call. He definently has potential to be around for a long time. What caught me is his voice and lyrics and sound was just what we need right now. I've looked into fellow newcomer Tommy Shane Steiners latest release, compared to this it doesnt win. Steve Azar is my pick over Tommy and Emerson Drive may follow right behind Steve in this year 2002.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars REALLY GOOD COUNTRY, November 25, 2002

By 

"swingoutsisterguy" (New Castle, DE USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Waitin' on Joe (Audio CD)

I used to think that the only kind of country music I like is by the women folk. Ladies like Reba, Martina, Faith, Shania; just to name a few. But lately I find myself listening and liking some of the men. Men such as this guy Steve Azar.
When I saw the video for WAITIN' ON JOE, I thought of typical country. A man waiting on his friend turned into tragedy. But it is his brother whom he has never relied on to be on time and then he finds out he is killed in an accident.
The whole cd is excellent. Just what a country cd should sound like. Songs like I DON'T HAVE TO BE ME (which talks about being free and someone else on the weekend), DAMN THE MONEY (money is not important but living is), MY HEART WANTS TO RUN (reminds me of soft rock country or Bonnie Raitt styling). Then there is the UNDERDOG which is a story about "coming out fighting". But there are two songs that make me wish I had a convertable and putting the top down. Those songs are GOIN' TO BEAT THE DEVIL & RIVER'S ON THE RISE. These are what I call travelling songs. Just pure good ole fashioned country singing.
This is one great cd. I never thought that I would love contry music as much as I love pop and jazz. But I do. Steve Azar is one great artist and deserves a big and bright future in the world of country music.
Keep up the good work and I look forward to more great cds from you!