Joe Hand
Orlando, Florida, United States | SELF
Music
Press
"Barry McGuire here. I've been a performing artist for over fifty years, and every once in a while you meet somebody who just blows you away with their talent, and their easy going warmth. Joe Hand is one of those guys - every level, a recording technician, musician, singer, and just flat fun to hang out with. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it." -Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction, Green Green) - Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction)
Let's cut to the chase: Psalms is my favorite Christian album of all time! Period. Here's why. Psalms is the perfect blend of all worlds: great songwriting worthy of top 40 radio airplay, beautiful production, wonderful singing and playing, and a truly reverent atmosphere. It just doesn't get any better than this. After hearing a poorly written psalm sung at mass, Hand felt he could do better. In the liner notes he writes, "I know of a couple of nice versions of psalms, but by and large, there aren’t many. Most only take a couple of lines from the Psalm itself, and then the songwriter takes EXTREME liberty with the rest of it. It was time for a different approach."
That "different approach" involved much time spent in prayerful reflection, studying various psalms in several different versions of the Bible, in order to retain the purest meaning of the lyric. Hand then applied his skill as a songwriter, putting those lyrics to music that is hook-laden, and yet reverent. Psalms opens with Psalm 90 (Before the Mountains Were Born). The tune was so catchy that I was singing along right away. The others that followed yielded the same results: Psalm 16 (Preserve Me O God),Psalm 33 (Rejoice in the Lord),Psalm 128 (Blessed is the Man Who Fears the Lord), the list goes on and on. One of the elements that made this collection so compelling was the very natural sense of praise and worship that
came from me as I listened. So many songs in the Praise and Worship genre exhort the listener to praise and worship; on this album, Hand lays out the reasons why we should praise the Lord, using scripture. Psalm 63 (Because Your Love is Better than Life) is the perfect example of this. The
lyrics and the beautiful meditative melody, along with the
gentle percussion and haunting electric guitar, brought me to a beautiful place of praise and worship. I felt like I was led by the hand to it, rather than forced to do it. If you just listen to Psalms, you will enjoy it and listen to it again and again. But you may miss the deeper meaning.
Try reading along in the Bible while listening and watch the meaning of the psalms open up before your eyes. Whether you are looking for a very pleasing listening experience or a powerful devotional tool, Psalms is a must for your collection. You will never tire of it.
Susan Bailey- Editor in Chief; Grapevine Magazine - Grapevine Magazine
Discography
DAGGERS & DARTS (2008)
Typical Male (2007)
Psalms (2005)
Everything and Nothing (2004)
Photos
Bio
Here's what Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction, Green Green) has to say about Joe Hand...
"Barry McGuire here. I've been a performing artist for over fifty years, and every once in a while you meet somebody who just blows you away with their talent, and their easy going warmth. Joe Hand is one of those guys - every level, a recording technician, musician, singer, and just flat fun to hang out with. You won't be disappointed, I guarantee it." -Barry McGuire (Eve of Destruction, Green Green)
JOE HAND is an accomplished singer, songwriter, musician, performer and producer now living in Orlando, FL.
Joe's latest songs have brought comparisons to James Taylor, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, and Ben Harper. His new CD features exceptional lyrics and music matched with audiophile quality production.
Joe enlisted the help of some of Nashville's hottest musicians and backing vocalists for his 2007 cd, "Typical Male". Featured are Al Perkins, Tony Morra, Mike Rojas, James Mitchell, Tom Roady, Jason Eskridge, and many other top players.
JOE is currently booking solo/duo dates for 2008/2009. Email today to find out how to have Joe at your venue.
Born in Astoria, New York, and raised in South Florida, JOE HAND was introduced to music at the young age of 7. A standout high school musician, Joe played piano, electric bass, and woodwinds in many performing situations.
Joe was playing music professionally at age 15. He accompanied choirs, taught lessons, played in the school bands, performed classical concerts, played in community jazz bands, pit orchestras, church groups, and of course, his own rock band "Joe's Diner".
His passion for music led him to prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. He graduated with a degree in Production and Engineering. He spent the next few years with a rock group "The Paiges" before starting his solo career, releasing his first solo cd in 1994.
JOE HAND has recorded multiple CD projects with significant sales success, and has performed at numerous concert events inside and outside the USA. He has shared the stage with many well known artists including John Michael Talbot, Barry McGuire, Ginny Owens, Mason Proffit, and Bobby Goldsboro.
JOE HAND just relocated to the Orlando area with his wife, JeanAnn and their funny little dog, Boo.
Recent Production Clients: Barry McGuire, Linkin' Park, Ceili Rain, Mason Proffit, John Michael Talbot, Chris Ames, Tommy Townsend, Muriel Anderson, Marilyn Shields (Steinway Artist), The Princeton NJ Symphony, Kitty Cleveland, and many many more.
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