I AM ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE Songwriting - 7.0 || Music - 8.0 || Vocals - 7.5 |
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Joe Vitale, Jr. has released one of the coolest, classic rock albums available this year with, DANCING WITH SHADOWS. This 13 track project is a powerful demonstration of Joe’s command of the rock and roll genre, and on it he leaves no gaps for anyone to doubt his understanding of the history of the genre. Joe’s talents are reminiscent of great rock artists like Axl Rose, Steven Tyler, and more recently, Sugar Ray. So, when you get into this album, just expect a ton of music that makes you move and sing.
Overall, DANCING WITH SHADOWS is a must listen, must purchase release for anyone who loves great rock and roll music. With so much music being released these days, it’s great to finally hear someone give me a taste of great rock and roll music. I can’t imagine that you wouldn’t agree with me about Joe Vitale’s album, especially if you claim to enjoy rock music from before 2005. Reviewed By: Shaine Freeman, host of The Miews podcast (Twitter - @ShaineFreeman) |
PURE TIMES ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE . MUSIC TRENDS May 9th, 2014 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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Joe Vitale Jr. | What's in a Name? Joe Vitale, a name most music fans of the 70's and 80's would definitely recognize. Synonymous as the drummer for Joe Walsh, Joe Vitale is the name most of us knew as the powerful percussion behind various tracks from such hit albums as CSN (Crosby, Stills and Nash) and Hotel California (the Eagles). But the legacy of Joe Vitale does not end with his notorious past. It continues on through his son, singer songwriter and visual twin Joe Vitale Jr. In this deeply personal interview with the ever talented and entertaining Vitale Jr., we take a look at the legacy of the past and the legacy currently being built from the music man with the very familiar last name.
In our recent interview with Joe he had a great deal to say on where he has been, is and is going:
PT First things first, would you please tell our readers a little but about yourself? Where did you grow up?
JV I grew up in Canton, Ohio and I have lived there my entire life. My parents wanted me to have a normal and well grounded childhood.
PT Speaking of your parents, your father is music legend Joe Vitale....what was it like growing up as the son of a rock n roll legend?
JV For me it felt like a completely normal childhood. It never felt different. Everyone on the road, including the stars, were really wonderful to me and it was like a second family. I loved being out on tour. It is actually very relaxing for me and I feel very comfortable traveling. I didn't really realize the significance of who my dad had played with until I was in college. For example, in 2000, I discovered my dad was the drummer on "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo", it's one of my favorite songs, and I never knew he played on it till then!
PT Please share with us a memory or two of this time period in your life.
JV Probably the best memory from this time period would be when my dad was out with Joe Walsh opening for the Doobie Brothers. It was the summer of 1991, and during the tour, the Doobie Brothers thought it would be a funny practical joke to serve the Joe Walsh Band drinks, like waiters, during their set. This triggered a full scale thermal nuclear practical joke war for the rest of the tour. Every night, there was something hysterical happening at some point in both band's sets. It culminated in Cincinnati when the Doobie Brothers shot silly string all over my dad and the other drummer during the drum solo in Funk 49. My job on the tour was to catch any sticks that would fall between the drum kits, as my dad and the other drummer would toss drum sticks back and forth while soloing. We call this stick toss. That night, the wind blew all the silly string to right where I was sitting between the kits and I was covered like pasta. We all had a good laugh but later on during the Doobie Brothers set, Joe Walsh had something up his sleeve to win this war. Earlier, he had gone to the Cincinnati Zoo and had them bring a LOT of animals to the show to parade across the stage during the Doobie Brother's song "Jesus is Just Alright" complete with Walsh dressed as Noah. To use the phrase, it was truly epic.
PT Any other memories you'd care to share?
JV Probably my favorite memory from those 1996 when Crosby Stills and Nash were playing at Blossom Music Center (in Ohio). For years I had wanted to play drums on their song "Woodstock". I had spent countless hours copying every one of my dads drum fills. There was a possibility of me performing this night butno one had said anything and I felt like it wasn't going to happen. Then, as CSN were going back out on stage to perform "Woodstock" as the encore, my dad pointed to me and then the drum kit and I ran out and hopped on his drum set and the song started. It was a sold out crowd, I was 18 and I had the best time of my life playing. It's something I will never forgot and I still think back to that day.
PT So, what led you to a career in music? What would you say was that definitive moment? Was it a Family Business type of situation?
JV My parents never pushed me into music. They wanted me to choose what I wanted to do with my life. When I was 10 years old, like many kids, I wanted to be an astronaut. I had studied all the cool NASA acronyms and loved to watch all the Space Shuttle lift offs. That summer my dad was on tour with Crosby Stills and Nash and they were performing in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The evening of the show, CSN & my dad asked me if I would be interested in coming out on stage and playing tambourine on "Teach Your Children." I was like, "absolutely yes, I would love to!" I was so nervous when it came time to go out on stage, not that I was nervous to be in front of all the people, but because I was afraid I would throw off the band. In retrospect I don't think I was even miked, but that's beside the point. When I went out on stage to play, the sold out crowd of over 19,000 people started screaming. At that very moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do and I started to pursue a career in music. It was a huge rush and I loved it. You are clearly a front man performer, even though percussion is in your blood.
PT How did your path lead to the singer, guitar player you are today?
JV I started learning to play the drums when I was 12, and being I am a rather hyper person, I would constantly learn to play other instruments. When I was in high school I realized that the drummer couldn't be the front man as easily, so I started to learn guitar and sing. But I noticed that percussion still played a big part personally in your music career.... I had an opportunity to play percussion with the Stephen Stills Blues band in 1998 which led to a job playing with Crosby Stills and Nash. Around 2000 I felt it was time to try to write my own record. After years of recording, and rerecording, I released my debut album "Dancing With Shadows" in December of 2008.
PT Speaking if your music, what are your current musical ventures?
JV Presently I am back in the studio working on a new full length album to follow up my "Dancing With Shadows" album. My band and I are gearing up for our summer performances and I am working on new music videos for this year.
PT What is the one thing you hope to accomplish with your career versus the many musical careers you witnessed as a child or in reverence to what you witnessed growing up?
JV I would say this, I want to write the best music I possibly can, bring strength and happiness to people who hear my music and be a roll model for young musicians and young adults so they see that you don't have take drugs and party to rock. The overall message in my music is triumph over adversity.
PT In reference to Jr. versus Sr....?
JV It can be difficult not only that both of us are in the music industry but also having the same name. I do feel the pressure to live up to expectations. But I try to push past that and concentrate on the performance or the song I am working on.
PT When it comes to music and life, what do you hope to pass on to the next generations of Vitale's? |
BOOKED PROMOTIONS CD REVIEW "DANCING WITH SHADOWS" August 3rd, 2013 - Original Article ► Click Here Album reviewed by: Andrew Maffettone (Founder/CEO) |
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Joe Vitale Jr. is a hard rock band from Ohio and their album “Dancing With Shadows” is absolutely fantastic. With high quality sound and some incredible instrumentation this is bound to be the next big hard rock band to make it out of Ohio.
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VENTS MAGAZINE CD REVIEW "DANCING WITH SHADOWS" January 5th, 2013 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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The fact that this album is amazing should not come as a surprise to anyone, considering who we’re talking about, a man who met, learned from, and shared the stage with a number of music legends from an early age. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet the father, let me introduce you to the great son.
Dancing With Shadows by composer and guitarist Joe Vitale Jr. is the type of rock album that unfortunately society today can’t really find in the mainstream music scene, having to look in other old bands to know what pure rock and awesome music is all about.
“I Don’t Belong Here” is everything that rock should be and is. Powerful riffs, fun and ready to drive you crazy without breakdowns or anything like that. The bass lines and drums are felt from the beginning to the end, along with Joe’s vocal that really remind us of yesteryear rock bands. The sound is like a cross between Foo Fighters and Rush.
“Break!” continues the wonderful line of hard rock we have been delighted with since the beginning, along with elements of what appear to be synthesizers, in the middle of the verses that add an epic touch to the track. The guitar solo and rhythm guitars are just amazing, making it clear that “You can’t break him down” … and that is clear in the course of the entire song.
“Dancing With Shadows” has some of that Rush type of sound. It also has this funky vibe while still being pure rock n ‘roll. It’s a song for dancing, commercial, entertaining, and funny, and the guitar effect before hitting the chorus is simple, and in my humble opinion, makes me want to listen to what’s about to come next. The solo, again, is just amazing.
“Beautiful Girl” and “Mysterious” follow the same line as the track mentioned before. The rhythm guitars are so simple but work perfectly with the great bass lines and drum beats. They have a touch of what seems to be Poison or Def Leppard.
“She Intoxicates” gives us the more Zeppelin side of this band. It has impressive guitar hooks and that brilliant sound that as the song goes by turns less like Led and more like Kravitz. “Never Look Back,” on the other hand, with the synthesizer, has a touch of Nine Inch Nails mixed with what we have been hearing so far. So to some extent, unfortunately, Vitale does look back… but for good.
Finally, after so many good songs that could become classics more than just simple big hits, we find this remix of “Dancing With Shadows.” It’s basically a combination of the original song with a little bit of NIN in it.
In conclusion, this album is a perfect presentation card for Joe Vitale Jr. It just gives us a very clear identity of who he is and is a record that will make you want to listen over and over again. It’s almost like a Bible: no matter how many times you read it (or in this case, “hear it”), you will always find something new and exciting.
Rating: 7/5 Review by RJ Frometa Edited by Marion Lougheed |
VENTS MAGAZINE INTERVIEW December 27th, 2012 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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I’m the son of veteran rock n’ roll drummer Joe Vitale. I grew up on the road with acts my Dad performed with, such as Joe Walsh, Crosby Stills & Nash, Dan Fogelberg, The Eagles, and many others. I toured as a percussionist with Joe Walsh, The Stephen Stills Blues Band and Crosby, Stills and Nash.
I’m a songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, drums, vocals, keyboards, bass, etc.), a digital audio engineer, and an award-winning director & cinematographer.
I’ve had the opportunity to work for Sony Media Software creating loop libraries (Latin Percussion, Junkyard Rhythms, Organ Donor, and Vital Drums: The Vitale Drum Collection) for ACID. I presented at the 2007 and 2008 NAMM shows as a key speaker for Sony Creative Software™ describing my work on several music videos that I wrote & directed. Also, I did the digital audio editing work on the 2005 Stephen Stills’ album “Man Alive,” which won Stephen Stills a Humanitarian Award from UNICEF for the song “Feed the People.” I was the digital editor and pre-mastering engineer on the Stephen Stills album, “Just Roll Tape,” as well as edited, mixed, and pre-mastered the 2009 Stephen Stills video and CD, “Stephen Stills Live at Shepherd’s Bush.”
After ten years of writing and recording, I completed my first solo album, “Dancing With Shadows.” My sound is a blend of rock and industrial influences. The album reflects my struggles and triumphs over adversity with the tracks: “Fight It or Self Destruct,” “I Don’t Belong Here,” “Mysterious,” “Never Look Back,” and “Break!” My relationship issue songs include: “It’s Not Me, It’s You,” “Beautiful Girl,” “You Make Me Feel Alive,” and the title cut “Dancing With Shadows,” giving the album a full emotional range. While my album is biographical and secular in nature, my faith in Christ, which has kept me going, is woven through the entire album.
In September of 2010, I released the single “Jingle Jingle,” an industrial remake of the popular Christmas song “Jingle Bells,” and a somewhat comical music video. That same month I started working with Smooth Stone Productions™ on a post-apocalyptic thriller film called “SAFE” released at film festivals in 2011, winning honorable mention at the Myrtle Beach Film Festival. I composed the soundtrack and was the Director of Photography for the production. Also, I worked on soundtracks for several other films including “Making Friends” (2011) and “The Teacher’s Lounge” (2011). My music video “Never Look Back” won Best Music Video at the Canton Film Festival. In 2012 I directed the short film “Encryption” which won at the Canton Film Festival.
In 2011, I formed The Joe Vitale Jr. Band to perform my original music and I’m currently touring. My band consists of three fabulous musicians: Ryan McDermott on guitar/bass, Trevor Wozniak on guitar, and Dylan Gomez on drums.
How did you get started in the music scene?
What are your music influences? It was always a great experience. They were like a second family to me. I played Latin percussion as well as doubling on drums when my dad would play keys. I always approached my performances as a serious job. Every night I would record the shows on a tape cassette (yes, that retro) at the mixing board, and then after the show I would listen to my performance back and see where I could make corrections. I always wanted each night to be better than the last. I wanted to do my best to make their live performances sound like the original recording. I took the same approach when I performed with the Stephen Stills Blues Band, and was always mindful to what Stephen wanted for parts combined with my style of playing.
What you enjoy doing the most, be a director or make music?
Encryption. What’s the concept and can you tell us more this short film of yours?
Dancing With Shadows. How was the recording and writing process? How you guys came out with the album’s title?
There are also new album rumours. Any details/insights you can tell us? Title, release date in mind?
So you are planning to hit the road?
Are there any more plans for the future we should be aware of?
What has been the funniest moment you guys have been or took part while touring or playing a gig?
Where can we find more about your music?
Web Presence:
Do you feel you are moving on the right direction? |
BUCKEYE MUSIC MAGAZINE REVIEW February 10th, 2012 - Original Article ► Click Here Joe Vitale Jr. - Dancing with Shadows |
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The Buckeye State is without a doubt one of the best places for music in the country. Okay, I may be a little bias but who could argue? And it seems it doesn’t matter if you’re in Cincinnati, Athens, Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, and all parts in between you can find great local music and some of the most talented musicians you will find anywhere. To prove my point I am going to introduce you to Joe Vitale Jr. from Canton, OH. Joe is a multi-instrumentalist playing Guitars, Drums, Synthesizers, Percussion, as well as being a Producer, Songwriter, and Vocalist. Wow, put that on a resume. Vitale comes by his talent honestly, his father is Rock & Roll Drummer Joe Vitale who has played with Rock legends Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Joe Walsh, and the Eagles to name a few. According to his bio Joe spent the majority of his childhood growing up around these Rock greats soaking up everything around him. In 2008 Vitale Jr. released the CD titled “Dancing with Shadows” and the hit single of the same name. Joe played many of the instruments on the album with some help from his Dad Joe Vitale and David Santos playing Bass on many of the tracks as well as Tom Bukovac playing Lead Guitar on the tune “I Only Need You.”
Vitale Jr takes his Rock influences and combines them with an Electronic-Industrial groove for a unique sound. I think Joe’s bio puts it best, “The best way to think of Joe's sound is "The Who" meets "Nine Inch Nails.” The album begins with the tune “I Don’t Belong Here” and features Vitale Jr. on Guitar and Vocals with his father playing Drums, Synthesizers, and Backup Vocals. The song shows a little of Joe’s rebellious side. The first verse reads, “I’m just a stranger lost in the city, passing by all the towers of glass. I’m goin out on the town, I’m getting reckless and wild, I’m gonna blow all my money like a prodigal child.” I can relate! The next song on the CD called “BREAK!” is a heavier tune that has that classic rock/industrial we talked about earlier; Joe’s Guitar skills are on full display on this song, it’s a great tune! Another one of my favorite tunes on the album is the title track “Dancing with Shadows.” The song has a great groove and one of the best Guitar riffs on the CD.
The song “Beautiful Girl” is about leaving your inhibitions at the door and taking a chance at the beautiful chick in the corner; it’s a track I think every guy can relate too. “I walked into the unexpected just to see what I’d find and there she was, just sittin in the corner, playin with her ice. I had to take a chance and left pretension, I took a roll of the dice.” I’m guessing Joe has no problem with the ladies however. The song “I Only Need You” shows Vitale’s softer side and features Tom Bukovac on Guitar. Next up is a rockin nugget that reminds me of the band Queensryche and features Joe on every instrument; this is my favorite tune on the CD, it freakin ROCKS! The song “It’s Not Me It’s You” gives folks a glimpse into Joe’s since of humor and it’s followed by “Mysterious” and gets back to what Vitale does best, hard pounding Rock & Roll. One of the best lines on the CD is featured on this tune, “You’ve got your plans, Life’s demands in your hands, but you never know what lies ahead.” This is a killer tune!
The song “Never Give Up” is one of the songs that really combines Vitale’s Rock background with his admiration for the Industrial/Techno grooves. Vitale’s video for the song was the Best Music Video winner at the 2011 Canton Film Festival. One look at the video and you will see why it was a hit at the film festival, it is visually stunning. In addition to producing the record, Vitale also directed and produced the video. “Along with being a musician I am also a cinematographer & director. I always strived to make visually interesting, creative and compelling music videos & films.” I have to say it was a job well done. “By the Shoreline” is a beautiful tune and is a love song of sorts; it’s one of those tunes where you can close your eyes and reminisce of your time on the shoreline getting it on with your honey. Ah, memories!
The final three songs on the album are heavy handed Rock gems that leave you wanting more. “Infectious” and “You Make Me Fell Alive” more than any tunes on the CD has that Nine Inch Nails thing going and is guaranteed to get the blood flowing. The final tune called “Fight It or Self Destruct” is a fist pumping tune that encourages us to hit life’s struggles head on. The course goes, “Fight it or self destruct, Fight it or self destruct, when life is crushin you down just plant your feet on the ground and fight it or self destruct.” Hell yeah, great advise Joe! The CD “Dancing with Shadows” is a great listen and I recommend adding it to your music collection. Joe has been hard at work assembling a great band and is currently touring the Buckeye State. Vitale has also been nominated for a 2012 Columbus Music Award in the Rock category. Vitale will be releasing a new CD in February of 2012 called “The Virulent Strain – The Infectious Remixes.” The album is a remix of several of the tunes on the “Dancing with Shadows” CD. Be sure to check out Joe’s Website and check out his Bio; it’s a great read and highlights some of Vitale’s other accomplishments. I can’t wait to see this guy live, I bet he puts on quite a show!
“Dancing with Shadows” Produced by Joe Vitale & Joe Vitale Jr.
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BUCKEYE MUSIC MAGAZINE REVIEW February 10th, 2012 - Original Article ► Click Here Joe Vitale Jr. - Dancing with Shadows |
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The Buckeye State is without a doubt one of the best places for music in the country. Okay, I may be a little bias but who could argue? And it seems it doesn’t matter if you’re in Cincinnati, Athens, Toledo, Columbus, Cleveland, and all parts in between you can find great local music and some of the most talented musicians you will find anywhere. To prove my point I am going to introduce you to Joe Vitale Jr. from Canton, OH. Joe is a multi-instrumentalist playing Guitars, Drums, Synthesizers, Percussion, as well as being a Producer, Songwriter, and Vocalist. Wow, put that on a resume. Vitale comes by his talent honestly, his father is Rock & Roll Drummer Joe Vitale who has played with Rock legends Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Joe Walsh, and the Eagles to name a few. According to his bio Joe spent the majority of his childhood growing up around these Rock greats soaking up everything around him. In 2008 Vitale Jr. released the CD titled “Dancing with Shadows” and the hit single of the same name. Joe played many of the instruments on the album with some help from his Dad Joe Vitale and David Santos playing Bass on many of the tracks as well as Tom Bukovac playing Lead Guitar on the tune “I Only Need You.”
Vitale Jr takes his Rock influences and combines them with an Electronic-Industrial groove for a unique sound. I think Joe’s bio puts it best, “The best way to think of Joe's sound is "The Who" meets "Nine Inch Nails.” The album begins with the tune “I Don’t Belong Here” and features Vitale Jr. on Guitar and Vocals with his father playing Drums, Synthesizers, and Backup Vocals. The song shows a little of Joe’s rebellious side. The first verse reads, “I’m just a stranger lost in the city, passing by all the towers of glass. I’m goin out on the town, I’m getting reckless and wild, I’m gonna blow all my money like a prodigal child.” I can relate! The next song on the CD called “BREAK!” is a heavier tune that has that classic rock/industrial we talked about earlier; Joe’s Guitar skills are on full display on this song, it’s a great tune! Another one of my favorite tunes on the album is the title track “Dancing with Shadows.” The song has a great groove and one of the best Guitar riffs on the CD.
The song “Beautiful Girl” is about leaving your inhibitions at the door and taking a chance at the beautiful chick in the corner; it’s a track I think every guy can relate too. “I walked into the unexpected just to see what I’d find and there she was, just sittin in the corner, playin with her ice. I had to take a chance and left pretension, I took a roll of the dice.” I’m guessing Joe has no problem with the ladies however. The song “I Only Need You” shows Vitale’s softer side and features Tom Bukovac on Guitar. Next up is a rockin nugget that reminds me of the band Queensryche and features Joe on every instrument; this is my favorite tune on the CD, it freakin ROCKS! The song “It’s Not Me It’s You” gives folks a glimpse into Joe’s since of humor and it’s followed by “Mysterious” and gets back to what Vitale does best, hard pounding Rock & Roll. One of the best lines on the CD is featured on this tune, “You’ve got your plans, Life’s demands in your hands, but you never know what lies ahead.” This is a killer tune!
The song “Never Give Up” is one of the songs that really combines Vitale’s Rock background with his admiration for the Industrial/Techno grooves. Vitale’s video for the song was the Best Music Video winner at the 2011 Canton Film Festival. One look at the video and you will see why it was a hit at the film festival, it is visually stunning. In addition to producing the record, Vitale also directed and produced the video. “Along with being a musician I am also a cinematographer & director. I always strived to make visually interesting, creative and compelling music videos & films.” I have to say it was a job well done. “By the Shoreline” is a beautiful tune and is a love song of sorts; it’s one of those tunes where you can close your eyes and reminisce of your time on the shoreline getting it on with your honey. Ah, memories!
The final three songs on the album are heavy handed Rock gems that leave you wanting more. “Infectious” and “You Make Me Fell Alive” more than any tunes on the CD has that Nine Inch Nails thing going and is guaranteed to get the blood flowing. The final tune called “Fight It or Self Destruct” is a fist pumping tune that encourages us to hit life’s struggles head on. The course goes, “Fight it or self destruct, Fight it or self destruct, when life is crushin you down just plant your feet on the ground and fight it or self destruct.” Hell yeah, great advise Joe! The CD “Dancing with Shadows” is a great listen and I recommend adding it to your music collection. Joe has been hard at work assembling a great band and is currently touring the Buckeye State. Vitale has also been nominated for a 2012 Columbus Music Award in the Rock category. Vitale will be releasing a new CD in February of 2012 called “The Virulent Strain – The Infectious Remixes.” The album is a remix of several of the tunes on the “Dancing with Shadows” CD. Be sure to check out Joe’s Website and check out his Bio; it’s a great read and highlights some of Vitale’s other accomplishments. I can’t wait to see this guy live, I bet he puts on quite a show!
“Dancing with Shadows” Produced by Joe Vitale & Joe Vitale Jr.
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TOWER RECORDS ARTIST REVIEW May 9th, 2011 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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I have been asked a few times on how I choose who is a “Tower Records Profile Artist.” First, this is not something that I pick out of a hat or random – I believe that these are artists that capture what Tower Records is about and hope will be again. Please note that
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CLEVELAND PLAIN DEALER INTERVIEW JULY 14th, 2010 July 14th, 2010 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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Teach your children: As a child, Joe Vitale Jr. grew up in the shadows of his dad, who for years played with rock 'n' roll giants (Joe Walsh... See More; Crosby, Stills & Nash; Dan Fogelberg; the Eagles). Today, the Canton native is following in his father's footsteps recording and playing out. "At the moment, I'm putting together a band for my record 'Dancing With Shadows,' which is released at the end of 2008," said Vitale, a 1996 Jackson High School graduate. "I refer to it as industrial classic rock. It's rock 'n' roll with a lot of electronic edge to it. It's The Who-meets-Nine Inch Nails but with cleaner lyrics. I also play with tribute band OHIO: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. My dad, Joe Vitale, plays with Crosby, Stills & Nash. He's actually out with them now, so I started playing with them because I kind of grew up with the music from my dad playing it all through my youth and knowing all of the songs. I thought it would be a lot of fun, and also I play the character of my dad. So it's kind of surreal." OHIO: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young is scheduled to play at 9 p.m. Saturday at the Winchester Tavern & Music Hall, 12112 Madison Ave., Lakewood.
Tickets are $15. Call 216-226-5681
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2009 LANCE RECORDS ALBUM REVIEW BY BEVERLY PATERSON Spring 2009 Joe Vitale Jr. “Dancing With Shadows” (Vari Loud Records)
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“n air of suspense also guides the record, as inventive structures and moments of nervous tension wash over the landscape.” |
WHERE ARE THEY NOW INTERVIEW February 4th, 2009 |
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Band: I am a solo Artist Facebook: www.facebook.com/joevitalejrofficial |
40th Anniversary of Woodstock Concert with Joe Vitale Jr. playing drums with August 2009 |
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As you know, "OHIO" blew the crowd away last August at our "Woodstock Tribute Concert ". There were 12,000 people in attendance and your performance on Saturday was the hit of the weekend. No kidding. We just had to have you back for a solo performance. |
SONY CREATIVE SOFTWARE UNVEILS NEW "ROCK ROYALTY" January 20, 2007 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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Sony Creative Software announced today the availability of the Vitale Premium Sound Series Loop Library Collection. A must-have for every aspiring drummer, this Loop Library is unique in offering the track collections of one of Rock n' Roll's most influential combos, drummer Joe Vitale and his son Joe Vitale Jr. Joe Vitale Sr. is a renowned musician whose career has spanned over thirty years of touring, recording, and song writing and production with legendary and Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame artists such as The Eagles, Joe Walsh, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, John Lennon and Keith Richards. These are just a few of the many artists who have called upon Joe to anchor their platinum hits with his rock solid yet completely transparent drumming. The elder Vitale's son, Joe Vitale Jr., engineered the sounds for this loop library.
The Vitale Sound Series Loop Library will appeal to songwriters and producers of rock and pop music who want the best possible performance and recording quality on their tracks. "The Sony Sound Series collection now boasts the addition of rock drumming legend Joe Vitale at the Premium Collection level," said Dave Chaimson, vice president of marketing for Sony Media Software. "The Vitale father-and-son team deserves nothing less than a Premium Collection presentation, with 24-bit sound engineered by Joe Vitale Jr., performances by both artists, extensive liner notes, and bonus video content. Now, music producers working on every platform at every tier of the industry can enjoy the Vitale sound on their tracks, and gain instant access to the kinds of rock music foundations that lead to smash hits."
The Vitale Premium Collection tier includes 862 files comprising more than one gigabyte of material, extensive liner notes and a behind-the-scenes video that explains how the library was produced. The Vitale Premium Collection library is a 2 disc, highly specialized collection that includes sophisticated, royalty-free Premium Projects composed with ACIDized .wav file loops. |
STEPHEN STILLS "MAN ALIVE" ALBUM RELEASE CANTON REPOSITORY September 23rd, 2005 |
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PRO AUDIO REVIEW | SONY SOUNDBYTE MAGAZINE SUMMER 2004 Summer 2004 |
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REMIX MAGAZINE LOOPS FOR ACID PRODUCT REVIEW "JUNKYARD RHYTHMS" July 1st, 2002 - Original Article ► Click Here |
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The art of percussion mandates beating, bashing, crashing, shaking, striking, kicking and several other violent noise-associated verbs. Many times, the more primitive the approach, the more real and raw the emotion. With Junkyard Rhythms, Joe Vitale and his son, Joe Vitale Jr., explore their inner-drumming Neanderthals while rummaging through the rot in their local junkyard. The CD's documentation is minimal, but guessing where these sounds come from is half the fun. In terms of performance, the majority of the loops evoke a Latin flavor much in the vein of the Vitale family's well-received sample CD release Latin Percussion (also from Sonic Foundry). But this time, their modus operandi is to beat the clunk outta the junk — without any help from traditional bongos, congas and timbales.
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STEPHEN STILLS BLUES BAND AT LOS ANGLES HOUSE OF BLUES January 3rd, 1998 |
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Stephen Stills celebrated his birthday to a packed house at the House Of Blues. The set list as I can remember it is as follows (not necessarily in order).
Two new songs: One I think was named 'Back Home' (dedicated to Johnny Rivers in the audience). I didn't get the name of the other song, a blues number with Michael Finnegan dedicated to his daughter
The band members were Mike Finnegan, Joe Vitale, Joe Vitale, Jr., Gerald Johnson and second guitar player, didn't catch his name. Tall and lanky with glasses, and looked totally uninspired. John McEnroe came onstage to lead the audience in rousing "Happy Birthday to You".
I gotta tell you, I found the performance totally not satisfying and I'll tell you why. Please bear with my thoughts here. I love Stephen Stills, to begin with. He is a great artist, musician, songwriter and performer. I have been a dedicated fan ever since the first time I heard a Buffalo Springfield record.
I was particularly disappointed with the repetoire of this performance. I could see this playlist if it were a CSN concert or a Stills concert with a bigger venue, but with the House of Blues I expected something different. I saw Stills there three years ago and the set list was practically identical. I expected (or hoped for) a different type of performance in this venue both last night and three years ago.
I guess my issue is that Stills has a great body of work. He also has very impressive influences. I guess I would love to see him abandon the "greatest hits" formula and perform a combination of other great Stills compositions with some blues/rock covers from other artists. Standing there as everybody mouthed the words to For What It's Worth or Helplessly Hoping has just turned into the type of performances which are just too predictable.
There were two blond, 19 year old, bimbettes rocking away and begging for Suite: Judy Blue Eyes. My favorites songs were Born Under a Bad Sign and Born in Chicago along with the new material. The rest of the songs were just rehashes of performance I have heard already. Though Stills guitar work, as always, was stunning. The songs were just vehicles for some great licks.
I also understand that you don't get a packed house by boring the rank and file with non-hits. And not to compare, but except for a limited number of songs, Neil Young always surprises the audience with a different set list to keep the performances interesting.
I hope you all understand that it is not my intention to bash Stills. But I would love to finally see a performance which doesn't begin with Love the One Your With and end with Woodstock.
J. Starret |