jody joseph and the average joes
Gig Seeker Pro

jody joseph and the average joes

Band Rock Blues

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

The best kept secret in music

Press


"Joseph letting music, not name do the talking"

By SCOTT CRONICK

The ambitious rocker’s new band has been packing them in from Bojo’s to northern New Jersey for their mix of classic rock covers and originals. In fact, a recent appearance at the Stone Pony resulted in the club selling the most tickets for a local act in the Stone Pony’s history.
“We probably do 60 percent covers,” says Joseph about her 18 month old band. “We’re like a big Italian family. They are like my big brothers, and we argue over really stupid stuff. I am like their mother sometimes. They believe in me and have respect for me, and they hold me up; I don’t hold them up. I feed off their music. I do feel like this is a little compromise about what I really want to do, but it’s not completely selling myself short. Hey, I like the classic covers, but you have to listen to my originals too.”
The originals are certainly working. Joseph says she can’t keep enough of her latest CD, “Aint Done Yet,” in stock. “It seems like whatever I bring in my bag is gone by the end of the night.”
Joseph and her band will re-enter the studio in the next few months in hopes of laying down three or four tracks to shop to an independent label.
“Hopefully, it’ll get picked up in the middle of what we’re doing,” Joseph adds. “But I know I won’t be able to stop myself after three or four songs. I can’t fight it anymore. I just have to keep doing it until someone tells me to shut up.”
Things are going well for the Tinton Falls resident. She was also recently featured in a book by Gary Wien titled “Beyond the Palace,” which chronicles the Asbury Park and New Jersey Shore scene.

9/5/03 - Atlantic City Press


"Cry Her a River"

By CHRIS JORDAN

Singer/songwriter Jody Joseph, Tinton Falls, is not apt to run out of ideas for songs any time soon.
“I have a well of pain so deep from my past, that it’s almost like a luxury,” said Joseph, who’s been performing for about 20 years. “I can always dip into it and never, ever, have it be empty.”
The best songs are often the saddest songs. “I’ve had bad relationships, I was being that doormat, I was a single mom for awhile, raising a child on my own,” Joseph said.
Joseph’s rock, roadhouse blues, folk, and soul songs feature her sometimes confessional lyrics, sung with passion and conviction. There is a delicacy without coyness, and a quiet strength without bluster in Joseph’s alluringly raspy vocals.
The excellent, “The Only Way Out is Through” was released in 2000, and Joseph is said to release a live “demo cd” of new material.

1/03 - Asbury Park Press


"Jody Joseph at the Java Jam Coffee House: Sweet music. good to the last drop"

By VICTORIA FORD

The two words that best describe Jody Joseph’s performance at the Java Jam Coffee House last Saturday night? Sexy. Comfortable.
From her voice to her music, from her to denim and lace attire, to her stage presence, the petite blonde with the coy smirk and the huge voice captivates her audience by simultaneously seducing them and putting them in perfect ease.
The coffee house was filled near to capacity with folks who had come quite a distance, to give Joseph and her ensemble a listen.
The trio’s first set consisted of six original songs; the rousing fast paced oncoming train, crush, which Joseph introduced as the sexiest song she’s ever written, Insecurity, What if I should fall, Take Me, and the Goodbye Song.
Joseph’s music, and energy infused blends of blues, rock, pop, and soul, has been described as a personal history which she finds to be true. Asked if most of her songs are autobiographical, Joseph said, “All of them, they tell about my little wars.”

1/04 - The Sandpaper


"Jody Joseph not just another onoming train"

***Three Star Review

By MATT MASTRORILLI

The CD opens with “Rules of Love,” a song with more energy than a can of Jolt Soda. From this point on, you’re hooked: Jody Joseph’s voice is captivating, uplifting, and undeniable.
Joseph recently released an original LP entitles “The Only Way Out is Through.” In genre, these 12 tracks contained are rock/folk tunes. In feeling, these 12 tracks are some of the most believable, spirited, and wonderful bits and pieces of soul rarely found in homegrown soil.
“I’d rather see another oncoming train at the end of the tunnel tonight, than no one at all, I’d rather be lying in a strangers arms, pretending it’s the love of my life, than to spend another lonely night with no love at all.” These words from “Oncoming Train” are a good example of the power and beauty found on this CD. These aren’t lyrics, they’re poetry. - Night and Day Magazine


"Jody Joseph's Way out"

Joseph's great songwriting instincts are on full display on her accomplished new album, "The only way out is through," which also has a great title. In songs that combine Aretha Franklin inspired soul, acoustic driven folk rock, and insightful and articulate lyrics, Joseph serves up an eclectic mix of elements that all combine to create an uplifting almost spiritual experience for the listener. Having paid her dues for years as a songrwiter, both in Nashville and New York, and as a singer (She teaches vocal lessons,) she has plenty to say in her songs, and the chops to deliver them live. She has been gaining legions of new fans in her home state, as well as New York City, where she's performed. - BMI Magazine


"Hunter & Joseph edgy but honest"

GIG

of the week

Hunter and Joseph edgy but honest

Ian Hunter and Jody Joseph & the Average Joes, 8 p.m., Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park. $20. (732) 502-0600, www.stoneponyonline.com

Ian Hunter always has been a way-cool rocker. The guy’s edgy but honest approach has spawned such great hits as ‘‘All the Young Dudes’’ and ‘‘All the Way from Memphis.’’

He’ll be rockin’ tonight at the fabled Stone Pony with two Jersey cats: Tony Shanahan, who’s gigged with and produced Patti Smith, and his longtime friend and frequent bandmate James Mastro of Bongos, Strange Cave and Health & Happiness Show.

Making the evening more special is Jody Joseph & the Average Joes as the opener. Joseph, a first cousin of Jon Bon Jovi, is a headliner at the Pony, so the place will be packed, which is always fun.

Joseph makes blue-collar rock that more than holds up to any guy that ever called Asbury home. She writes about real life, particularly relationships, like someone who’s been through a helluva lot and is still smiling on the other end. Her CD, ‘‘The Only Way Out Is Through’’ includes the opening ‘‘Rules of Love,’’ the autobiographical ‘‘That’s So Me’’ and the tequila-soaked ‘‘Cute.’’

Joseph can turn around and write an incredibly beautiful, sap-free love song, such as ‘‘Heaven,’’ as well as a sexy nugget like ‘‘Sweetest Addiction.’’ Societal statements also make their way onto the disc, such as ‘‘Fall from Grace,’’ about how grown-ups are insensitive to their children.

Joseph and her kickin’ Average Joes also will open for Jeff Healey April 2 at Starland Ballroom, Sayreville. They will return to the Pony in April or May as the headliner of a Jersey Jams, Jersey Cares music mentorship event. That event will be free for children 16 and under. Info: www.jodyjoseph.net

- Courier News 3/6/04


"Jody Joseph celebrates Holiday Music Mentorship"

Jody Joseph celebrates holiday with music mentorship show



Jody Joseph is a journeywoman of Jersey’s pop-rock scene with a heart of gold and a song at the end of the rainbow.

What Jody Joseph likes most about making music with her band, the Average Joes, is the way in which it helps people get through difficult times.

You could say the energetic popster likes to write about life.

‘‘It doesn’t make it so scary,’’ she says. ‘‘I like being able to communicate through music.’’



Joseph is frequently communicating music to young people as a teacher of both singing and performing.

About 25 of the Tinton Falls-based teacher’s 40 students recently presented a Christmas revue.

A handful will join her Friday for a holiday party at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park.

About the music mentorship gig, Joseph says, ‘‘That’s an opportunity of a lifetime, for a 12-, 13-, 14-year-old kid to play the Stone Pony.’’

Sharing the bill with their music teacher will be:

* 18-year-old Danielle Fiore, who’ll play with her Tinton Falls-based band, DWI

* 14-year-old guitarist Mat-thew Curran, also of Tinton Falls

* Emily Grove, a 12-year-old from Wall Township who’ll perform a solo acoustic set.

About the extremely talented, young Grove, Joseph says, ‘‘You’ll be buying her CDs one day.’’

A dozen other students will serve as a choir while Joseph performs ‘‘Silent Night’’ and John Lennon’s ‘‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over).’’

The evening’s headliner is Gary ‘‘U.S.’’ Bonds, who’ll play a makeup date for a Dec. 5 concert that was snowed out.

All tickets from that show will be honored.

The holiday fun will include a raffle for a set of more than 20 Christmas CDs. The raffle will raise money for music education for New Jersey children.



Joseph and the Average Joes – bassist Jon ‘‘Huey’’ Tatlow, drummer Joe Tripps and guitarists Kevin Ward and Dave Mac – also will perform New Year’s at JoJo’s in Millville and Saturday at the Backporch in Rahway.

Visit www.jodyjoseph.net.

By BOB MAKIN

Staff Writer

What you can do this weekend

What: Jody Joseph & the Average Joes Holiday and Music Mentorship Concert with special guest Gary ‘‘U.S.’’ Bonds

When: 8 p.m. Friday

Where: The Stone Pony, 913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park

How much: $20

- Asbury Park Press


Discography

(LP) The only way out is through
(LP) Black & White
(LP) Ain't done yet
yes we have streaming tracks
yes we have airplay

Photos

Feeling a bit camera shy

Bio

Growing up in New Jersey means growing up under a staunch musical legacy known the world over via the streets of shore towns like Asbury Park. Jersey’s heroic musical governor Bruce Springsteen set the bar too high for imposters and posers to hurdle with any great ease. The rule of the law of this promised land proclaims the ragged glory of rock and roll in the Garden State must be blessed with one thing – passion.

Jody Joseph harbors an instinct bred from the historical significance of her own backyard, and has the passion and intensity to back it up. From the very first day on the planet, she was granted a musical heritage (one of her famous relatives was opera singer Mario Lanza), and during her early years she began forming a style drawn from various eras of rock, pop and soul. Heritage NYC FM WNEW beamed the greatest rock and roll songs of the day into the bedroom town of Metuchen, and while the other kids were dreaming of pitching at Yankee Stadium or becoming world-reknowned astrophysicists, Jody Joseph fantasized about being on stage playing her own songs.

And now she is. They’re bluesy ballads and cranked-up soulful rockers, with devilishly clever lyrics and wide-open heart and soul.

Inspired by the reflections of her life, Jody says "I have always believed that music is a universal language that has the ability to comfort and heal us through some pretty dark moments in our lives. That was the inspiration of my debut CD, The Only Way Out Is Through.”

The 2000 release of her debut effort marked the moment in time when Jody began to realize her most fervent dreams into reality. “I always knew that I wanted to be a writer of my own songs, and knew that in some respects that I would fight for their existences as if they were my own children. Because, in a very real way, that’s what songs are for me. They’re part of me.” The Only Way Out Is Through features standout session players under the advice and guidance of Scott Welch (Alanis Morrisette), who saw the talent and took on the managerial role to help Jody develop her craft. All of the songs were either co-written or fully written by Joseph, and produced by Dan Grigsby.

Joseph and her current band, cleverly called The Average Joes (“Hey, it takes the pressure off of us before we even walk in the door” she says with a wry grin) keep a steady schedule of Jersey club dates, national act openers and NYC showcase shows. She is working on new material for a third album that may be released before the end of 2002, and is very excited about the twists and turns that this road has taken. The band was most recently a finalist in The Stone Pony House Band Search, a yearly event put on by the House that Bruce built. Not too shabby, considering that the band had only been together for 6 months prior to being voted into the finals.

By day, she likes to hang out at home in Tinton Falls New Jersey, close to her daughter, husband, dog and cat while she teaches vocal lessons from her home studio. By night, she writes under the candle’s glow like a vampire lost in the magic. Passionately.

Take a listen to The Only Way Out Is Through at MP3.com and visit her website at jodyjoseph.net.