Artist description Delta-electric says it all!!!!!!

Music Style Delta-Electric

Musical Influences Henry Hanks,Robert Johnson,Hendrix,The Animals,Pepper Collins

Similar Artists Music that's a gumbo of The Animals,Jimi Hendrix and Robert Johnson etc.

Group Members Joe Richardson ....Kevin Phelan.....Richard Lamm

Instruments Joe - guitar ,harp ,slide guitar vocals Kevin -electric and upright bass Richard Lamm - Drums

Albums 1) Way Beyond the Blues 2) Somhelgisfel

Press Reviews Somhelgisfel reviews........... In the past 4-5 years of researching and reviewing blues and blues/rock artists over the Internet, I have had the great pleasure to discover some of the very finest music that I have ever had the privilege of hearing. I suppose that 75% or more of the music that I have purchased during that same period of time has come from independent artists who I more than likely would have never heard had it not been for the Internet. At the very top of my list of favorites of all the artists I have discovered in recent years remain the Austin based Joe Richardson Express. Richardson's music embodies all of the qualities that have so endeared me to indy recordings: raw passion, energy, and artistic freedom, which allow Richardson to play what he feels. He is a bit unorthodox in his recording philosophy, as many of the tracks are "first take" recordings and a couple of the tracks were written in the studio during the recording of the CD. This is actually a brilliant strategy, as it keeps his recordings sounding somewhat raw and definitely not overproduced, something I find very desirable about his work. The second track on "Somhelgisfel" kind of tells the Joe Richardson story in the title: "Black Sheep of the Blues". While Richardson may not appeal to blues purists (though anymore, I do not know who does) he will appeal to a very broad base of fans, including fans of delta, Texas, and swamp blues and blues/rock. His raw and passionate vocals at times exhibit influences of OLD country blues singers, at other times he sounds like an old Louisiana story telling seated upon your back porch. He has a considerable flavoring of gospel, delta blues, and juke joint stirred into his vocal chords as well. He is also an intensely personal songwriter, with all 11 tracks here being very fine Joe Richardson originals. His band is three piece, with Richardson on guitar and vocals, Richard Lamm on drums and Kevin Phelan on bass. This is a very talented trio who get more from every note they play than perhaps anyone else I have heard. Richardson's guitar is diverse in style, with some of the nastiest slide I have ever heard perhaps being his forte. However, this recording showcases more of his acoustic work, which is most excellent also. "Golden Idol" will perhaps describe Joe Richardson as well as any words that I can write. With just his incredible voice and his acoustic guitar, Richardson generates more power than a George Foreman uppercut. He can go from that, to powerful electric slide in "Black Sheep of the Blues" and "The Gospel", then on to old time country blues clawhammer banjo on the title track (which is musically very interesting), with a Texas rocking "Cry" thrown in for good measure. This is very diverse material from a very gifted performer. "Somhelgisfel", along with the very fine "Way Beyond the Blues" is available from the official Joe Richardson Express web site at www.joerichardsonexpress.com or from the fine folks at Viewpoint Records, online at www.viewpointrecords.com............... BluesBytes review..........The Joe Richardson Express return with another journey into the swampy delta blues sound that they captured so successfully on their previous release, Way Beyond The Blues. This follow-up, titled Somhelgisfel (Viewpoint Records) gives the listener more of those dark, atmospheric blues. Sometimes, it reminds me a lot of Buddy Guy's recent effort at the Fat Possum studio, as Richardson opens with a stark, stripped-down number, "Feelin' Like The Dead", then jumps into a rocking "Black Sheep of the Blues". The next number, an acoustic "Golden Idol" is a personal blues where Richardson laments his fortunes (or misfortunes) as a bluesman, comparing himself to Moses, who never got to see the Promised Land. "The Gospel" is another autobiographical track which features some scorching guitar. Other favorites include "Virginia", which sounds like a song Lightnin' Hopkins might have done, with Richardson begging a woman to take him back, even though he knows he will do her wrong again, and the eerie "Witch Cat", which sounds like an outtake from Electric Ladyland. The Express (Kevin Phelan on bass and Richard Lamm on drums) again provides great support and Richardson is top notch on guitar and his vocals really fit the mood of the songs. In the liner notes, he writes, ".....Blues isn't about a structured pattern, it's about feel...and tone...and emotion." Somhelgisfel is full of plenty of all three of these qualities and is highly recommended............. Way Beyond the Blues reviews.............. Blues Access Magazine Mike Emery In this day and age, strat-playing white-boy bluesrockers are a dime a dozen,but for every swarm of Stevie Ray Vaughn clones there's a handful of gifted innovaters,and Austin's Joe Richardson is certainly one of them. On "Way Beyond the Blues", the inventive guitarist meshes Delta-flavored licks with straight-up rock.. He opens with "Medicine Man," setting the pace with a catchy riff and upbeat tempo,while "Dead Man's Money"finds Richardson and his Express (bassist Kevin Phelan and drummer Mike Taylor) bashing out primal Southern blues with a unique balance of precision and emotion. Even more stripped down is " I've Seen the Devil," which features Richardson handling harp chores and bellowing out his pained vocals. He's mostly unknown outside Austin, but Richardson's sin- cere delivery and crisp song-writing reveal Joe as a buried treasure in the Lone Star State........s.......... Blues Revue Magazine---- Joe Richardson Express fly the Flag for Southern blues rock from their Texas base.The trio finds a groove (boogies preferred!) and, using Richardsons slide guitar and drawled vocals,forces it to submit.Way beyond the Blues (Viewpoint 008) at times pushes the atmosphere over the top, as on the lo-fi, solo harp/vocal number I’ve Seen the Devil, but, Greyhound Bus, effectively grinds Z.Z. Top cartoonishness into scarily serious music. The stark opening minutes of the minor key Come Home Baby , should land on a film noir soundtrack.......................................... Got The Blues review by Tom Branson--- Of all the new material that I have previewed in the past many months, this recording is by far my personal favorite. "Way Beyond the Blues" is a wonderful showcase of both Richardson's diverse influences and outstanding musical talents. The recording bears a strong electric delta blues likeness while at the same time remaining fresh and original. There is a considerable Mississippi juke joint influence evident throughout the recording, as well as a goodly dose of Texas blues. The songs are all well written, Joe Richardson originals and the lyrics are with purpose. Oddly, the recording is somehow an extremely simple and straight-forward effort, yet at the same time a very powerful work. The band is three piece, with Joe Richardson providing the guitar and vocals, Kevin Phelan adding solid acoustic and electric bass, and Mike Taylor rounding out the lineup with some of the more tasteful drumming I have heard in a while. The CD is simple, in that there are no added players or extra instruments played on multiple tracks. Despite its simplicity, this is powerful and passionate music. What you hear from this band on this recording is what you get live. "Way Beyond the Blues" has added the name of the Joe Richardson Express to my list of "must see" artists. The set opens with a very Louisiana flavored "Medicine Man", which is Richardson's alter ego. After a slow blues powerhouse "Come Home Baby", the track "Dead Man's Money" offers the listener the first taste of Richardson's stinging slide guitar. The following three tracks include two of my personal favorites "Greyhound Bus" and "Kill Me Quickly", which are both laced with gut wrenching slide and soulful juke joint vocals. "Kill Me Quickly" is especially good, and is what we used to term as "boll weevil picking music". You folks from the south will know what I mean, while all others may just prefer to call it "evil". The other songs are all good, but time and space are not sufficient here to allow me to say all that I would like about this exceptional work. Suffice it say that this recording comes with my "must own" seal of approval. "Way Beyond the Blues" is available from the fine folks at www.cdbaby.com or through the official Joe Richardon Express web site at www.joerichardsonexpress.com ............................... Blues Bytes review by Graham Clarke --- The Joe Richardson Express is making a lot of noise in the Austin, TX area. This three-piece group mixes swampy Louisiana blues with acoustic Delta blues and throws in a little bit of rock as well, sort of a Jimi Hendrix meets Ton Ton Macoute experience. It makes for an interesting gumbo on their recent release, Way Beyond the Blues (Viewpoint Records). Richardson was born and raised in southern Louisiana and his music definitely shows the influence of the region (as well as Hendrix). He is masterful on guitar, dobro, and harmonica, and his half-sung, half-spoken vocals compliment his songs perfectly. The Express can rock the house, as on the driving opener, "Medicine Man" or "Dead Man's Money," slow it down ("Come Home Baby" and "Please Don't Love Me Anymore"), or dive off into some downhome blues ("Please Don't Love Me Anymore" and "Showed My Soul To You"). Particularly enjoyable are "I've Seen the Devil," with Richardson on harp, and "Goin' On," with some tasty National Steel guitar work highlighted (don't stop your player at the end of the song, there's a great instrumental track that follows). Drummer Mike Taylor and bassist Kevin Phelan provide rock-solid backing throughout the CD. In short, this is a great release by a seasoned musician who knows his way around the blues............................. Indie-Music review by Les Reynolds--- Joe Richardson might be a Texan now, but his roots in the swamps of Louisiana gave him the soul that shaped his blues/rock music and kept it true and blue. In fact, you can hear his entire life story just in the SOUND of this tight, expressive and very talented band. From the bars of New Orleans in the 60s, to Nashville, to Muscle Shoals Alabama and then to Austin -- the Joe Richardson Express(es) it all with flair, taste and energetic soul. This small group (another "Lil' Ol' Band From Texas") is comprised of Joe on guitar, blues harp and lead vocals, bassist Kevin Phelan and drummer Mike Taylor. That's it. But their sound is as big as any other and twice as good. These guys are rock solid! Joe's rough, throaty, full and rich voice delivers the tunes with an amazing ability to dig right to the very heart of blues music and what it's all about, sing it like it should be sung. He's a mixture of Billy Gibbons, Dickey Betts, John Lee Hooker ("Damn That Guitar") and a few others thrown in. He can wail (hear "Dead Man's Money") and he can take it down to an evil drawl (listen to "Greyhound Bus"). Speaking of evil (better spelled out as eeeeeeevilllll in this case), Joe's guitar is just that. His voice and his guitar are well matched. He can rip 'n' roar, slow it down to a crawl and slide with the best. He knows when to "breathe" and is never, ever over the top with any instrumental pyrotechnics. The rhythm section provides a solid bottom, whether funky, rock or slow-burn blues -- but it's always Joe out front doing a workman's load and basically BEING the blues. Every tune is excellent, but some are better than others. Instrumentally, "Dead Man's Money," with it's relentless slide riffs and pounding drum/bass, the flowing and rocking "Greyhound Bus," the traditional Delta/rock blues sound of "Kill Me Quickly," the kick-up-your-heels "Showed My Soul to You" (with a gorgeous lap slide)and the haunting slide of "Goin' On" probably are the finest examples on the 11-song release. The song writing is good, too. Some of the lyrics are typical blues material, lines about drinking, guitars, the devil and longing (and lusting) for love. However, they're better written than much of the old-time tunes. The Joe Richardson Express has taken the blues, melded it with Texas rock and come up with a sound that's probably closer to the heart of real blues music than most of what's around today. And although Joe is a veteran, he will hopefully be around for a lot longer. This stuff stays fresh forever.................................. Blues On Stage review by Bobby Manriquez--- The Joe Richardson Express is Joe, bassist Kevin Phelan, and drummer Mike Taylor. It is a trio, and it works. Produced by Joe Richardson and Christy Popp in a tasteful, "simple is good / old school fashion," it delivers a lot of soul and feel in 11 tracks that hold together well. All were created by Joe; he got some collaboration on "Dead Man's Money" from Mike and Lori Taylor. In the midst of writing a review (which may suggest critique), the fellas keep groove an obstacle between me and criticism. I can't rave, but he has a cool voice. I don't hear fancy guitar playin', but I don't want for nuthin'. The man plays with taste and tone; the band is there in classic form, and for 53 min./ 53 sec., it works. I hear spiritual music from the top, with "Medicine Man." It drives......and with "Come Home Baby," cut # 2, the spirits relax into a rich brew of potent smokehouse charm. These men have soul. Their skills are not those that raise the hairs on the back of my neck; they are the kind that have me soothingly bringing my eyelids to lazily close, in welcome want of what may come next. I have been won over in a lane where my personal tastes don't usually drive, because The Joe Richardson Express knows how to drive real well. They hug the road. Especially alien to my usual tastes, "Showed My Soul To You" also showed me a nice guitar touch, a real talent. Better yet, it shows me that my tastes were only that; they were what I thought they were. Now I know a little better. I'm glad this band is on the move. The Joe Richardson Express has ridden into friendly territory, and my ridin' lane's enriched. Look into a good thing for yourself at www.joerichardsonexpress.com........................................ Herm's review from Electric Blues .com--- In the past 3+ years I have operated Electric Blues, I have heard a good many excellent blues artists. There are an incredible number of extremely talented blues and blues-rock guitar players fronting blues bands, both in the US and abroad. However, the ranks are reduced quite a bit when considering guitar players who are also excellent vocalists. Throw in songwriting and the list gets even smaller. And when you also add the innate quality of a truly distinctive style/sound, the number is reduced to but a few. Joe Richardson exhibits all of these qualities. Excellent guitar, deep, earthy vocals, and interesting 'life's stories' songwriting. The distinctive piece of the formula results from a contradiction of sorts in his vocal, guitar, and songwriting styles, all of which are basic and straightforward, yet somehow at the same time commanding and powerful. Considering my reputation for favoring heavy handed blues-rock guitar, many regular readers of my reviews may be surprised to find me writing these words. Joe is by no means a flashy or self-indulgent player. But no doubt about it, he plays a mean brand of blues. While not flashy, Joe's guitar work is wicked, passionate and moving, regardless of whether he's fretting the notes or working with a slide. Oh yeah, and Joe even throws in a little harp now and again for good measure. The opening track, "Medicine Man", begins with Joe speaking in a heavy, deep, soulful voice, very reminiscent of a well-known soul singer who's name eludes me at the moment. This threw me off the track for a moment. Then, the speaking gives way to a rhythmic beat and chanting that is very clearly a taste of American Indian war dance music. Within the first few seconds of the first track, I was wondering what musical path this disc was going to take. The heavy rhythm continued, but once into the body of the song joe's vocals pulled things into more familiar territory, and I was motivated to listen further. The beginning of the second song was much more to my liking, and by the time the lead break of "Come Home Baby" was over, I was clearly a Joe Richardson Express fan. Way Beyond the Blues contains 11 original songs, 8 of which are gritty electric blues. Evenly spaced among those 8 electrified songs are 3 solo and/or acoustic songs. There are several standouts on this disc, including Lil' Mambo", "Come Home Baby", "Greyhound Bus", "Kill Me Quickly", "Damn That Guitar", and "Please Don't Love Me Anymore". I see this CD appealing to a very wide range of blues fans. Blues guitar freaks will appreciate his passionate playing, while at the same time his guitar is not of the over-the-top style that sends more traditional fans running for the hills. The earthy vocals and strong songwriting should also appeal to many. There's really not a segment of the blues contingent I would hesitate recommending this disc to. Due to the large amount of music I receive and purchase, I rarely listen to CDs for very long before I have to move on. "Way Beyond the Blues" has remained in my player longer than many............................... Texas Blues review by "Baggie"--- The Joe Richardson Express, an Austin based three piece band, mixes swampy Louisiana blues with acoustic delta blues and a little rock thrown in. Joe was born in the bayous and his music shows an influence of it. His latest CD release Wayyy Beyond the Blues shows that influence too. The first time I listened to this CD, I thought " What the Hell ? " The second time, a few songs began to stand out but I kept thinking of all those old, running thru the swamps, prison movies. Then I really listened, this CD has it's own sound. It has it's own personality. Joe plays the guitar,dobro,harp, and with a distinctive voice kinda sings/talks the songs thru. Kill Me Quickly is a cheated on man's national anthem.I Have SEEN The Devil has some of the most sorrowful, soul harp playing I have heard in a long time.There is a hidden National steel guitar instrumental at the end of Goin' On that I missed the first five times that I listened to the CD. I read the promo-pack, and went back to hear the great piece You want something different but still want to satisfy your search for the blues, try this CD. A six pack of Red Stripe, a little Crawfish Etoufee and Joe Richardson Express' Wayyy Beyond The Blues... Bon Temps Roulet !!!........................... Mark Watson CD reviewer( Australia )--- This CD opens with a high energy rollin' blues rock number with a big 70's rock influence in an interestingly fresh "Medicine Man" the sort of stuff us Aussies would expect to hear from our band Third Degree. The second track "Come Home Baby" smoothly drops down to that cool body waving blues rock ballad groove, haunting vocals and emotive reverberating guitar licks, instantly giving two different contrasts and leaving the listener wondering what the remaining tracks have in store. The title "Wayyyy beyond The Blues" probably does the CD justice as it seems evident that Joe Richardson loves exploring new boundaries and combining the elements of his blues forefathers with a seventies rock style, coming up with a great stir fry of common yet fresh sounds. The Hendrix/SRV styles come out in "Dead Man's Money" and again in "Greyhound Bus" although with a modern grungy feel as Joe pushes those boundaries. A more traditional blues rock feel in "Damn That Guitar" followed by "Kill Me Quickly" once again a cross mix between a light grunge and a scorching blues rock. There is no doubt about the talent on this CD and a nice surprise is in store with the delta influenced harmonica and vocal yodeling hoe-down in "I've Seen The Devil." Another contrast in style in a butt shaking groove with "Please Don't Love Me Anymore" featuring a wicked overdriven bass line and sizzling guitar solos as the song builds intensity. A neat country groove adds another surprise in "Showed My Soul To You" followed by more of that overdriven guitar stuff with a driving drum track in "Lil' Mambo" then the CD concludes with a nice fingerpickin' acoustic slide number in "Goin' On. An album that gives food for thought and challenges some of the defined boundaries in the blues industry, making for some interesting listening. REVIEW and Copyright by Mark 'radar' Watson (Mr Blues) on 21st September 2001.................................

Location Austin, Texas - USA

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