"...Ya Know?"

Joey Ramone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2012
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: BMG
• ASIN: B007R3B4RG
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #47,045 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Rock 'N Roll Is The Answer

2. Going Nowhere Fast

3. New York City

4. Waiting For That Railroad

5. I Couldn't Sleep

6. What Did I Do To Deserve You?

7. Seven Days Of Gloom

8. Eyes Of Green

9. Party Line

10. Merry Christmas (I Don't Want To Fight Tonight)

11. 21st Century Girl

12. There's Got To Be More To Life

13. Make Me Tremble

14. Cabin Fever

15. Life's A Gas

Editorial Reviews

2012 release, the second posthumous solo album from the former Ramones frontman. Ya Know? adds a significant new chapter to the seminal punk icon's hugely influential body of work. The tracks were drawn from a cache of demos and unreleased recordings that Joey had a cut at various times during the last decade and half of his life. But this is no half-baked grab-bag of odds and ends. It's a riveting collection of previously unheard songs that embody Joey's trademark intensity, wit and infectious hooksmanship, and that will stand proudly alongside his most beloved Ramones compositions. The cast of guest players includes Joan Jett, who lends her distinctive voice and guitar to "21st Century Girl" and Little Steven Van Zandt, who plays guitar on "Party Line" and wrote the album's poignant liner notes, along with such notables as former Ramones drummer Richie Ramone, Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick, Dennis Diken of the Smithereens, Richie Vincent, seasoned New York punk axeman Al Maddy, veteran pop producer/musician Kenny Laguna, saxophonist Arno Hecht of the Uptown Horns, and members of the Ramones' punk-era contemporaries The Dictators.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What a Wonderful World! *A Beautiful Honoring of Joey's Legacy* May 25, 2012

By Mr. Glen P.

Format:Audio CD

A major travesty in life has been rectified. Eleven years after the heartbreaking passing of the frontman of the greatest American rock and roll band, we are treated with fifteen lovingly completed works left behind by legend Joey Ramone. Naturally I was over the moon with the news that there was to be a second Joey Ramone album, and I fought off skepticism that material released now would not live up to the quality work of the Ramones and Joey's brilliant and beautiful solo album Don't Worry About Me. These feelings were more than blown away upon the first listen to this album. Joey sounds incredible, the backing musicians sound wonderful, the production sounds very clean and modern. From my previous experience hearing new tracks done with old vocals, I loved the Beatles recording "Free As A Bird" and "Real Love" with John Lennon's old track, but was unhappy with the fidelity, and I worried the same would befall these cuts. Nothing doing, Joey sounds as alive as ever here! And the mix is spot on, Joey is upfront and confident, all the instruments are crisp and can be pinpointed in the stereo mix. I listened to the CD with over-ear headphones, I bet the vinyl's even better.

You can really feel the love that was put into making this album honor Joey and his incredible love and respect for rock and roll. From friends like Richie and Jean from Plasmatics, Joan Jett, Richie Ramone, Bun E Carlos, Ed Stasium, Andy Shernoff and Little Steven, the album sounds like a consistent album on a whole and not a collection of leftovers. Most songs are mid-tempo power rock and roll (not exactly punk or hard rock), and very engaging. It is a terrific follow-up to Don't Worry About Me and a great reminder of the talent Joey had. All rock fans will enjoy this album.

Tracks!
1. Rock and Roll Is the Answer- Great mid tempo rock groove with powerful guitars and backing vocals, co-written with Richie Stotts. It's so wonderful to hear Joey again and his signature vocal inflections. As with the whole album, it's a travesty these tracks have taken so long to surface, but not only am I thankful that they finally have, but that they sound SO killer.
2. Going Nowhere Fast- Cowritten with Daniel Rey, which brings back memories to their previous collaborations. This could fit on Joey's previous solo album or Halfway To Sanity. Richie Ramone on drums, Ed Stasium does the rest. Heavy hitting low end in the drums and guitars.
3. New York City- Pleathora of guest artists on this tribute to NYC, with a lot of backing vocals. Fun mid-tempo rock.
4. Waiting For That Railroad- Easy paced acoustic guitars had me concerned at first, until Joey's voice comes in and I just melt. This has to be Joey's voice at his most beautiful, I can't believe this track was never before released. The instrumentation picks up and the power and emotion build, and with Joey double tracked and doing his own call and response, it's just aural bliss. This is my favorite track on the album easily.
5. I Couldn't Sleep- Upbeat fun poppy rock very reminiscent of All Screwed Up from Brain Drain. Grab your hunny and dance on your coffeetable!
6. What Did I Do To Deserve You?- Hard pop song, musicially sounds like a Glen Matlock hit acknowledging the great period of late 60's psychedelica to early 70's glitter rock.
7. Seven Days of Gloom- Great transition from the previous track, mid-feel rocker with some of Joey's almost-negative-but-actually-positive lyrics. I found a lot of the charm of Joey's previous album was his positivity in the face of his ailments, such as I Get Knocked Down (But I'll Get Up), and this is in the same vein.
8. Eyes of Green- Mid tempo rock, keeps the fun and energy vibe going.
9. Party Line- Another highlight track, modernized 50's girl-group pop which highlights Joey's unique singing tone. Reminds me of Dee Dee's beautiful "Baby Doll" track and the style of the most recent New York Dolls album, "Dancing Backwards In High Heels".
10. Merry Christmas- A slower, croony version of the classic Ramones track, with great jazzy drums and tremolo guitar. Very pretty rendition for your next holiday.
11. 21st Century Girl- Featuring Joan Jett, good heavy guitars move this rock track along.
12. There's Got To Be More To Life- Jean Beauvoir performs all instrumentation on this track, which is another standout. A bit new-wave, with a great pre-verse guitar hook with rock guitar and synthesizers. Lyrics are simple, but sincere.
13. Make Me Tremble- a gentle acoustic beginning leads into a fun calypso track, which Joey performs well and throws in his signature vocal inflections again perfectly. You feel Joey's happiness and feel good for having him, instead of bringing you down that he's gone. The album stays upbeat and fun throughout, it's a great celebration of Joey and rock and roll.
14. Cabin Fever- Harder rock, the only time Joey's frustration comes out. The dark tone and his vocals draw you in and you can feel his pain.
15. Life's A Gas- a short, pretty version of Joey with Ed on acoustic guitar. Very happy and uplifting way to end out the album.

I adore this record, and the people involved really put forth their love and energy to honor and share Joey with the world. Great appreciation to those who made this album and brought us these wonderful gifts from Joey.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best! Ya Know? May 22, 2012

By Cat Prince Chunk

Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm loving Joey's second (posthumous) solo album.It is great to hear Joey's voice again, singing these new songs.Ya Know is not just a punk album-there is a lot of range here.The 15 songs also flow exceptionally well together with a top notch production.

The album kicks off with the upbeat "Rock N Roll is the Answer".A very rocking song to get you going."Going Nowhere Fast" and New York City" could have been on a Ramones album.The anthemic latter is like a punk rock "Empire State of Mind" (with lyrics like "The Ritz and the Cat Club,Pyramid and Limelight").Other highlights for me include "Seven Days of Gloom"("Seven days of gloom,here in my room.If it wasnt for Stooges my life would be doomed").Great song with backing vocals by the handsome one Dick Manitoba.The Phil Spectorish "Party Line" is just a heavinly song Joey sings with Holly Beth Vincent of Holly and the Italians.Then there is the honkeytonk punk of "I Coudn't Sleep" and the country-influenced "Waiting for That Railroad".The album closes with the pretty acoustic version of "Life's a Gass" with chimes that sounds very bittersweet.

Ya Know? is a truly must have for every Ramones fan (or rock fan in general).

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Only a casual Ramones fan who really loves this album... May 23, 2012

By Richardson TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

This caught my eye at my local record store , Fingerprints music in Long Beach CA, and I took a chance today... and I am glad. I've always enjoyed The Ramones and I remembered liking what I thought was Joey Ramones final album Don't Worry About Mewhich seemed to be released near his death and featured a very touching version of "a Wonderful World". As far as this new album...I enjoyed it first listen as I was putting it into my itunes and have listened now three times. Joey's voice is in fine form and the songs and production are to my ears first class and while it holds together well as an album features nice variety. I'd recommend it to his fans without any reservations. I imagine some hard core fans might think this is too pop and not punk enough...but I like both sides of his history.