Stephen DiJoseph

Words and music TALENTED singer-songwriter Stephen DiJoseph doesn't make a big issue of having Tourette's syndrome, so we won't either. His new CD Hypnotized highlights his low-key, prog-rock sound and jazzy folkways plus, his dynamite, swinging version of the Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin.


- Michael Harrington

"Stephen's 'No Chance' is a great tightrope walk between Pop, Dance, Alternative, Jazz and even World. A high level songwriter."

- Billboard Magazine

"Strains of acoustic folk-rock, Beckish modernism, soft-pedal soul, and drum-'n'-bass coalesce into a poetic and accessible collection of songs with an original flavor."



- Jon Sobel

"This is a nice thing: when a guitarist can take such an old
instrument and create a NEW HYPNOTIC SPELL..."

- - from WOR radio interview

"Regarded as a genius level musician by many of the people we played his music for around the country in the last year, Stephen DiJoseph is a fascinating and diverse artist who has a depth of talent that I am not sure even he has fully explored. To see Stephen perform live is frankly like watching a juggernaut on piano. To realize he is also a polished contemporary singer-songwriter-guitarist as well as an experimental Jazz and Electronic performer just adds to his mystique. This guy might be the most amazing discovery we ever made on our East Coast Showcase Tour." - Brian Austin Whitney founder JPFOLKS

"DiJoseph plays with a keen sense of melody and fire. He displays a flair for complex melodic songwriting. His songs are often beautiful, but they also possess an attuned sense of drama and tension. Dijoseph is obviously a skilled pianist and a talented songwriter." - Dan Short

"It is important to us to continue to present the best music that we can, and Stephen's show with Deirdre Flint was a very successful night all around. We look forward to having him back."
- Jesse Lundy

"Stephen's performance was truly outstanding. We were completely blown away... speechless ...mesmerized! Stephen has a magic in his writing & playing that could never be duplicated.."


- Portland ME

"Hypnotized", 2006 "Hypnotized" is more than a busman's holiday for DiJoseph, best known for his spirit seeking piano work with its idiosyncratic approach to rhythm and inventive tunefulness. Here he surprises, singing a set of pop tunes on the guitar. However, while staying well within the genre, DiJoseph still puts his distinctive stamp on every song, starting with tuning his guitar two different ways, both in fourths (D-G-C-F-Bb-C and C-G-C-F-C-C). Then he puts a strong groove consciousness to work. Check out the only cover, "Knights in White Satin," which DiJoseph remakes while traveling all over the fretboard. How many pop tunes that work begin with anything like "You pushed me down an elevator shaft" ("Flyin'")? Even when DiJoseph delivers the vocals smooth and sweet ("Walk in Your Shoes") there's an edge to the performance, vulnerable with a hint of vengeance. With a little electric manipulation, he can sound downright dangerous ("No Chance"). At its best, "Hypnotized" can mesmerize. © 
 
David Kleiner for www.minor7th.com 
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