THE WIND CRIES MARY

REVIEWS

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

Rhythms Magazine Reviewer: Eva Roberts, 6/07

" . . cements Dolce's reputation as one of the country's premier songwriters. His lyrical compositions are delightful to listen to, the words fit together like a perfect puzzle and while their contrast to the music and their rhythmic sense is appealing, it is also the stories behind the songs that are beautiful. . ." (full review)

Rambles - Reviewer: Nicky Rossiter, 5/08

" . . . He rewards those looking for Irish folk with a marvelous rendition of "Rocks of Bawn." He is not afraid to experiment with the traditional canon, and on this track it works wonders, giving the old classic a new sheen and opening it up to potential new generations.." (full review)

Kevin's Celtic & Folk Music CD Reviews - Reviewer: Dai Woosnam, 3/07

' I am old enough to remember when Joe Dolce achieved world fame, and thus came into my life. That of course was in 1981, when his "Shaddap You Face" became a monster hit in most of the English-speaking world. And I hated the song with a real intensity: the kind of intensity I don't think I have managed to recapture in the quarter of a century since. But not that Joe cared. He just laughed his way to a thousand banks. And then thankfully for me, as soon as he had entered my consciousness, he seemed to disappear just as quickly. I heard nothing of him for the next two decades. And then about five years ago, I came across his writing. And I realised that this was a deeply serious man: and a bit of a Renaissance Man to boot. But, though his writings may have impressed me, I still managed to avoid his recordings. Until today, that is. I opened this CD fearing the worst: was it going to present some sort of deja vu that led my mind back to the execrable "Shaddup You Face"? ...' (full review)

The Melbourne Sunday Herald - Reviewer: Pete Best, 3/07

"ARTISTS can illustrate an idea, or illuminate it. Joe Dolce's two '60s covers here - For No One and The Wind Cries Mary - certainly put a candle to two familiar songs. The gently faithful Wind Cries Mary works, because by sharing verses with Lin Van Hek, attention is turned back to Jimi Hendrix's most undervalued words. The cheeky changes to McCartney's For No One uncover the real song lost in 1966, having been delivered as just another piece of impeccable pop on an almost flawless Revolver . . .And beyond worthy reworkings of some traditional folksongs are bold strokes of invention, like the daring Gift (from One Iraqi Child) , on which graceful words overshadow musical whimsy, and the sharp-edged rock of Dragon Lady." (full review)

Australian Guitar - Reviewer: Karl Mayerhofer, 4/07

"From the man who brought us Shaddap You Face, comes The Wind Cries Mary. US-born multi-instrumentalist Joe Dolce started as a lead guitarist and virtuoso blues harp player, who once backed Muddy Waters in the 70s, and here he displays more of the musical talents overshadowed by 'that song.' Joe and Lin duet on the Hendrix-penned title track, beautifully played on acoustics and resonators, moving into Third Stone from the Sun, with backwards electric guitar solo, while Cocaine Lil is a rollicking version of an old classic - in fact, a WH Auden poem. Dolce is full of pleasant surprises."

Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange - Reviewer: Bob Gottlieb 4/07

" . . . It is an interesting and satisfying disc, [Dolce] doesn't stand in one spot for too long and goes where his muse carries him. He wrote, or co-wrote many of the songs on the disc, and the others are pulled from various sources and redone by him. He mixes and matches to great advantage pulling a 19th century lyric by Louisa Lawson next to a song written after the invasion of Iraq. . ." (full review)

Green Man Review - Reviewer: Michael Hunter, 4/07

" . . . Dolce's consistent ability to write or choose songs that obviously mean something to him . . . allow[s] his musicians and fellow singers to shine as well . . . . The CD begins with "St Valentines Day", which sounds like a live recording with the tuneful vocals up front and clear in the mix, and some nifty slide work by Dolce; a great driving start to proceedings. Then follows cajun/tex mex with "Lynetta" (reminding one of the late lamented Mollys) . . . some fine rock on "Dragon Lady", a tribute to John Lennon on "It Was Only A Dream (But NoReason To Awake)" . . . One personal highlight is "Cocaine Lil" which combines a 19th century lyric with original music to create a blues-rock song that works well, with a very full sound that still has room to breathe. The track struck me as treading a similar musical path to Jeff Lang, which can only be a good thing, really. Another favourite is "Gift From One Iraqi Child" which has a somewhat chaotic, experimental middle-eastern beginning, and then transforms into a melodic contemporary roots/rock song, with all too pertinent lyrics. . ." (full review)

Rolling Stone - Reviewer: DL, 7/07

" Escaping his 'Shaddap You Face' past was always going to be hard for Dolce, but this collection of songs certainly has nothing to do with the infamous novelty hit. The Dolce we find here delivers a mix of fairly straight guitar pop ('St Valentine's Day'), rockin' country stomps ('Cocaine Lil'), and even a gospel-style funeral tune ('Hill of Death'.) He proves to be a more than adequate guitarist and Dolce's country tinged cover of the title track is a pleasantly surprising reinterpretation."

XPress - Reviewer: Mike Wafer, 8/07

" . . .Unbeknownst to many, however, the Ohio-born Dolce is one hell of a bluesman, as shown here with his heartfelt collection of originals and re-workings. . . . Dolce's guitar work is deceptively complex, weaving in and out of lyrical matter that is often a ball of complexity itself . ." (full review)

RipIn - Reviewer: Joel Martin, 9/07

" . . .Dolce's unique voice is the focus. Dolce's country tinged cover of the title track is a pleasantly surprising reinterpretation, while 'Cocain Lil' shows his ability to rock out when it counts. Dolce's unbridled honesty and humour combine in this timely release set to warm the hearts of his fans across the world." (full review)

PERSONAL

"How thoughtful of you. I love the CD, thank you, Joe. Thank you for the sweet dedication, "Gift [From One Iraqi Child]." I will treasure it. I was very moved by the Irish song "Rocks of Bawn" a song for my son: Patrick Ryan McCaffrey [killed in Iraq] . . . My war continues, in the next few days, 4 years of that horrific nightmare. I will be speaking almost daily for the next 3 weeks . . . . I will play some of your songs for people to hear. In Peaceful Service." Nadia McCaffrey, US Gold Star Mother for Peace patrick-mccaffrey.memory-of.com

"'Death of Bach' is a masterpiece!" Judy Small, Singer-Songwriter (website)

" . . I've had two continuous listens to the album now, and I think it's really great. It sounds really good, it's eclectic (and yet feels balanced, hope that makes sense! Just a good collection of songs..), it is reverential, and referential. It's the whole potato! Which is what it kind of reminds me of, something dug up in one's own garden, covered in grit. The opening few bars of the album would've pricked up musicologist Alan Lomax's ears, I reckon, it just sounds great - real and dirty!" Andrew Duffield, The Models (website)

"Cocaine Lil" is a winner!" Mitch Greenhill, Folklore Productions

"Bloody brilliant album! You deserve much greater attention, you really do. Both albums are world class and you're a class act boyo. Expect to have the new album aired tomorrow! Just a bloody great album mate. Full marks to you." Peter Haddow, 3MDR (97.1fm)