Customer Reviews

Waitin on Joe

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

This has to be one of the greatest country albums I have heard in awhile. I truly feel Steve Azar has so much potential. The album has so many tracks that are catchy, yet heart felt, and most important true country. Some of these are "I Don't Have To Be Till Monday, which is his current single, "One Good Reason Why," and my favorite "The Underdog," which I am sure anyone can relate too. There are also those really heart felt songs like "River on a Rise" which is a song that compares love to a river, and then the tear jerker song would have to be "Waiting on Joe," once you hear this song you will know what I am talking about. Another great song, about lost love, would have to be "You Don't Know How it Feels." As you can see this album is full of great songs and each tells a story, and you really get a feeling for the music and who Steve Azar is.

i bought this cd for the song waitin on joe,well after listening to the whole cd,i fell in love with all of these songs.steve azar is one of the best new singers in the country music today.i will be buying all of his cds from now on.great work steve ,you are the best.

Steve Azar represents all of the best of Greenville, Mississippi. His music is a down-to-earth blend of southern rock, country and the blues music that made the region famous.

His music is full of feeling and passion, but at the same time simple and straightforward.

I've seen Steve play to 100-person clubs back in Greenville and he is the real deal.

Highly recommended for country, rock and blues fans alike.

Interesting song & one anyone can relate to, as, at one time or another have had to wait on someone in life to continue the task at hand & in the process developing patience.

I bought this album and enjoyed every song on it. From "I don't have to be me til Monday" to "Waitin' on Joe," they are all good songs and he has a lot of talent. Perhaps in the future he will be up there with the other well known artists of country music. Just the way he writes and plays the songs is enough for airplay in my opinion. I'm just waiting for his next album.

This CD has a great range of songs - from the upbeat "I Don't Have to be Me ('Til Monday)" to the haunting "Waitin' on Joe" - Steve Azar brings a gritty Delta blues feel to CD, which is what really hooked me. My favorite song is "One Good Reason Why", it's a good time with its zydeco/party vibe. But I also really like the sweet "My Heart Wants to Run" and the quirky "Damn the Money". This whole CD is a good listen for big relaxin'.

and i don't exagerate that title either, i started getting into country music about a year ago and i've heard many country songs and albums but none were ever good enough to actually wanna go out and buy the CD, but after i saw the videos for "Waitin on Joe" and "Don't have to be Me (Until Monday)" i was convinced to buy it and i like every song on it. I've had the CD since January and it hasn't left my car glove box since! My fav songs on it are "How Long is This Time Gonna Be" "Damn the Money" "Waitin on Joe" "My Heart Wants to Run" "One Good Reason" and "Lay your Heart Next to Mine"