Fulton,
Missouri born Joe McBride has a strong connection to Heads Up
International. He attended the North Texas State University to study
jazz and performance, where he met Dave Love, founder of Heads Up
International. He is one of those seldom artists who never changed the
label. Joe started his career with Grace (1992), followed by
A Gift For Tomorrow (1994), Keys To Your Heart (1996),
Double Take (1998), Texas Rhythm Club (2000), Keepin' It
Real (2002) and Texas Hold'em (2005).
He continues his strong connection with
Lookin' For A Change scheduled for release July 28, 2009.
Joe is supported by his live trio – guitarist Dan Wilson, bassist
Roger Hines and drummer Elijah Gilmore. The title of the new album is
programmatic. Joe explains: “The majority of my releases in the past
have been primarily electronic, with an acoustic piano playing over
the top of arrangements that were primarily put together with drum
machines and other technology. I’ve loved contemporary jazz. It’s been
a lot of fun playing that kind of music. But I wanted to move forward
a little bit, demonstrate a little growth, try something new.”
That said Joe's interpretation of new is a collection of pop songs
performed in a jazzy style. Beside these covers Joe also offers three
new own compositions. Following the huge hype around Gnarls Barkley's
megahit Crazy (2006), provoking covers of Nelly Furtado, The Kooks, The
Zutons, Prince and many more, Joe couldn't resist to oppose his own
rendition.
Vanessa Carlton wrote 1000 Miles for her debut album Be Not
Nobody (2002). This piano driven Pop song has a strong melody line
and perfectly suits for Joe Mbride's jazz escapade. “I like how
easily the Vanessa Carlton tune translated to jazz,” says McBride. “It
swings very easily. It was very easy to put into a straight-ahead
bag.”
The Scientist was released on
Coldplay's second album A Rush of Blood to the Head (2002). Joe
brings this piano ballade to a new level. His heartfelt song is
crowned by his impeccable piano performance. I never expected that
someone would ever cover Cameo's Word Up. Joe withstands the
temptation to interpret the song in a funky way, and that's really a
pearl of funk. We are observing the rebirth of a song in a truly
jazzy spirit. Both interpretations will stand the time.
It's Over Now reveals more of Joe McBride's own personality.
This is Joe's exact soul. This Is How A Heart Breaks from
Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas's debut album ... Something to
Be (2005) finds a sophisticated jazz flavored equivalent in Joe's
version. Kiss From A Rose is Seal's song of the songs. Released
in 1994 on his second album Seal II it became a megahit as part of the
Batman Forever film soundtrack. Take it as Joe's homage
to this unsurpassable singer.
Corrine Bailey Rae’s Like a Star
moved so many people by her fresh and innocent vocals. Joe's approach
to the song is from the Samba side. “I like the samba feel on that
track,” comments McBride. “There’s a really great acoustic guitar solo
in there by Dan Wilson.” With Secret Rendezvous Joe offers
another mellow ballade with an awesome harmonica solo.
NY troubadour Gavin DeGraw composed I Don't Wanna Be for his
debut album Chariot (2003), featured as the theme song for the
TV drama One Tree Hill. A surprising change of a rock song to a
soul ballade with some rock elements. John Mayer has written Say
for the Rob Reiner film The Bucket List in 2007. Joe transfers
this bittersweet ballade to more uplifting fields.
Joe finishes the album with the title track Lookin' For A Change
bringing together the best elements of jazz and R&B in the style of Al
Jarreau. Don't miss his message!
Joe McBride's new
album Lookin' For A Change is a great collection of infectious
and modern songs that you either liked or heard repeated constantly on
the radio. Joe reflects these songs in his own unique style with a big
input of his personality.
- Album Information
Title: Looking' For A Change
Artist: Joe McBride
Year: 2009
Length: 1:06:58
Genre: General Jazz
Label: Heads Up International
Tracks:
01 Crazy [4:44]
02 1000 Miles [6:29]
03 The Scientist [5:38]
04 Word Up [4:44]
05 It's Over Now [5:06]
06 This Is How A Heart Breaks [4:53]
07 Kiss From A Rose [6:09]
08 Like A Star [5:12]
09 Secret Rendezvous [5:20]
10 I Don't Wanna Be [6:37]
11 Say [6:21]
12 Lookin' For A Change [5:46]
- Further Review
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