The Joe Pitts Band

JOE PITTS

Just A Matter Of Time

Kijam

It certainly is true saying that "you can't judge a book by the cover." Joe Pitts release, "Just A Matter Of Time" is a gem that is packaged in a very mundane cover - a dour brown colour with a nondescript butterfly in the centre. Truth to tell, it didn't appeal to me yet within four bars of the opening track I was tapping my feet and nodding the head. Within another four bars I was humming my own bass line to a superb track. The album is easy listening, anywhere, any time kind of music and Joe is a talented musician. Joe is a very competent guitarist and seems at ease with a whole number of different styles that range from smoky slow Blues through to power-jams and funk. He even tips his hat to the reggae vibe. Eight tracks are Pitts originals and there are three covers of his personal favourites, Namely Roy Buchanan's 'Nickle And A Nail', where he adds his own personal style to the classic track and demonstrates his superb singing style. Jeff Beck's 'Ice Cream Cakes' is a really strange choice, whereas John Mayall's 'Rolling With The Blues' is a classic Blues song and Pitts does homage to the Mayall style with Michael Burks guesting on lead guitar. Of his own songs, the opener 'Blue Light Rain' smoulders with funky guitar, all the time underpinned by great bass playing. The album's tour-de-force is 'Shoulda Seen It Coming', a complex song about a relationship coming to an end. With a strong reggae under beat the song transforms into a rock song before reverting. This is a quality release from an artist that I would very much like to see this side of the Atlantic.



- Blues Revue Magazine 1-08

Joe Pitts: Just a Matter of Time

Slide over, no really SLIDE on over and listen to this. Joe Pitts can create a powerful storm of sound with a ghostly shadow of style reminding myself and many of the dear Duane Allman. Not afraid to rock a love song or tell that fantastic story, the album Just a Matter of Time, (Kijan Records 2007) takes a ride on the southern side of rock and keeps plenty of room for some of that sweet soulfulness of the blues. He has pulled influences from yesterday into today and has been compared to guitarists like Warren Haynes, Larry McCray and Walter Trout. Although his influences range from Duane Allman and Jeff Beck(ice cream cakes) to Roy Buchanan(Nickle and a Nail), he is becoming known worldwide for his slide guitar work. He uses his slide work to create tone-filled licks that both glide and soar over the music. And I am starting to wonder who is calling him their influence. He is also heavily inside the groove with really funky rhythmic improvisations, which as a listener you can get that true feeling on the final track, Funked Up…but be patient–coming out of the shadows of that track is the ghost of song greatness…..(lone me a dime) the great Fenton Robinson tune with the easily treasured slide work of Duane worked over with precision and pride…Thanks Joe.



- Mister G

Joe is on the cover of the #1 French blues rock/southern rock magazine "Bands of Dixie", along with an extensive interview.

Check it out at www.bandsofdixie.com

and to see the cover look in the EPK Photo Gallery. - Band of Dixie Magazine-France

Just a Matter of Time
Joe Pitts
Kijam Records
by Bill Ector

Arkansas resident Joe Pitts offers up a cool collection of mostly original songs that were played and recorded, as it says on the CD cover, “With no computer manipulation.” The 11 tracks on Just a Matter of Time are bluesy and soulful, and they capture the listener’s ears from the first notes to the ending of “Funked Up.” Pitts plays some tasty guitar on the entire CD, most of which was recorded with three musicians (additional guitar and keyboards provide occasional accents).
“Lonesome Boy From Yesterday” tells the tale of a young man heading out into the world to figure it all out, and the rocking title track offers a catchy guitar riff that shows off a real power trio sound. The moody “Ice Cream Cakes” has a darker tone, but it’s an interesting take on being loved.
Joe Pitts plays some funky stuff, too, as he demonstrates in the spacey, appropriately named instrumental “Zambified.” The reggae influence of “Should Have Seen It Coming” plays against the slow blues of “Rolling with the Blues,” and the modern sound of “Sealed Inside Good Intentions” showcases Pitts’ talents as a musician, songwriter and singer.
The last song, “Funked Up,” closes out Just a Matter of Time in grand style – but wait! This one is a lot longer than you may think, so stay tuned to the very end for a beautiful and surprising conclusion to one of the best new CDs we have heard in some time.
- Bill Ector - Publisher, HTN

Just a Matter of Time is one of the best new CDs we have heard in some time.

- Bill Ector, Hittin’ the Note magazine


- Bill Ector - Publisher

"One Night Only"
Joe Pitts Band
by Emily Parks

The Arkansas Power Trio is at it again. A true to life live set, recorded at Cornerstone Pub in Arkansas, One Night Only contains 10 tracks of pure hard-rockin', jazzy funk infused blues. Some favorites from the Joe Pitts Band's previous CD are featured alongside some astounding covers that too often are forgotten about.
The potent and forceful "Blue Light Rain'' starts things off and sets the tone for the unrelenting guitar riffs and eloquent lyrics that span the rest of One Night Only. Up next is the slow and bluesy "Outskirts of Town", which exemplifies the band's diverse abilities. Bassist Jimmy Lynn proves that not only can he establish the bottom line, but he can also contribute overwhelming vocals for an awe-inspiring rendeition of Cream's classic, "Tales of Brave Ulysses."
"Just a Matter of Time," the title track from their last release, proves the band needs only instruments and a little electricity to rock the house, and their rendition of Free's "Mr.Big" shakes the floor. One Night Only comes complete with audience participation, the sounds of breaking glass and all the other fun stuff that makes for a great live show.
The group then glides into another original, "VT Inst 6 Jam", which proves that Joe Pitts, Jimmy Lynn and David Bishop can hang with anyone in the business. Relying on raw talent and love of the music, Joe Pitts Band has released one of the best live CDs we have heard in a long time - enjoy the energy of One Night Only.
www.joepitts.com

- Emily Parks

For the people who witnessed it last Saturday, music history was indeed made at Einstein's in El Dorado. For those of us fortunate enough to see it, we'll remember it for a very long time.
The Joe Pitts Band played before a very enthusiastic crowd Saturday. Those on hand were given a rare treat. Local folks, in turn, showed a lot of appreciation for the effort.
Pitts, from Little Rock, is backed by Jimmy Lynn on bass from Texas and David Bishop on drums from Nashville, Tenn. The trio played everything from the blues, jazz, rock and fusion. Pitts put on a virtual clinic. I just wish more local guitarists had been there to attend the class. The only way to get better is to watch the best, and one of the state's best was on display Saturday night. There was no bouncing light show, no smoke and no pyrotechnics. Just three guys who stood and played some incredible music.
Those on hand couldn't stop talking about his Gigliotti, one of the most beautiful guitars you'll ever see. The guitar has a gorgeous body with a sound that often came out more like a growl at times. Pitts also plays his 1958 reissue Les Paul, especially when he switches to slide. According to the official website of Gigliotti Guitars, the semi hollow-bodied one played by Pitts is special for several reasons.
"All Gigliotti electric guitars have a beautiful acoustic sound. This is because the construction is similar to an acoustic guitar," the website says. "Think of how the top is attached to an acoustic guitar, set into a ledge created by the sides of the guitar and the internal braces. That's how the tops are done on every Gigliotti electric guitar. Only instead of being glued, the metal top is siliconed in place and locked to the center block by the bridge, so the top rings like a bell. Also, all our machine work is done from the front, so that a solid feel is maintained."
The guitar is more than just sound, however. "Besides producing an incredible sound, this design produces an equally amazing look," the official website says. "The brass or aluminum tops are water jet cut and finished to create the distinctive custom pattern, then flush mounted into the face of the guitar. This unique combination of materials produces a ringing tone that no other instrument can match. The metal plate insert, with its custom pattern, catches and reflects the light, producing a constantly changing, mesmerizing look. With every move, the look of your Gigliotti guitar changes, giving you unsurpassed stage presence. With stage lighting, these guitars come to life! Under bright lights, the custom pattern can channel light under the paint, giving the finish a glowing appearance."
Pitts also plays guitar with the group Liquid Groove Mojo. He studied at the Berklee College of Music. He's been called a musician's musician. Last Saturday night he showed why. It's not about quantity of notes (although he can blaze atop a guitar when needed) but rather the quality.
And not enough can be said about the floppy-haired Lynn and Bishop, the 24-year-old who could pass for 16. This is one of the top rhythm sections ever to play in town. During extended jams the pair kept the bottom end solid and pulsating. Never once did they seem to wear down.
Halfway through the night Pitts invited local youngster Casey Camp to the stage. The pair offered some tasty renditions from the Jimi Hendrix catalog. It was about 3 minutes into the second song – and everyone heard it happen – that Camp and Pitts "hit a groove." After that the fun was on. They exchanged solos, often played harmony leads (with Pitts on slide) and fed off of each other. Pitts said later he was very impressed with the youngster.
The ultimate thrill happened when Pitts invited local guitar slinger Hokie Gjertsen to the stage. Local music fans had hoped for this moment. The quartet opened with "Loan Me A Dime," made most famous by Boz Skaggs featuring the guitar work of the late Duane Allman. The slower blues number reached its zenith with both Pitts and Gjertsen playing tremendous leads and backups. One of the biggest music fans in the city even commented, "This is like watching the Allman Brothers rehearse." Indeed it was.
Next Pitts and Gjertsen took off on a classic from Mississippi native Hound Dog Taylor. Toward the end they faced each other, about two feet apart on stage, and played some of the most impressive twin lead guitars I'd ever heard. People were literally screaming from their seats, making the "we're not worthy" gestures, while others simply sat in silence. Several people stopped in their tracks just to watch two music veterans display their talents.
Of course Pitts and Gjertsen had to play some Allman Brothers, "One Way Out," when both took to the slide guitar. It was a moment we had hoped would happen. Pitts sounds a bit like Greg Allman, with a relaxed, Southern blues delivery on vocals. Pitts and Gjertsen couldn't stop smiling while they shared the stage, two brothers of different mothers who have played for decades. Great guitarists who had never shared the same stage, yet somehow seemed polished and familiar with each other.
Let's hope it's not the last time we see the Joe Pitts Band and special guests.
The band will be at Cinema 218 in Texarkana, Texas, on April 21 and Electric Cowboy in Little Rock on May 3. A new CD should be out in a month or so.
You can find out more at www.joepitts.com on the Internet - Eldorado Times Newspaper

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