• From: Clearwater, Fl
  • Registered: 2013-11-02
  • Posts: 347

Topic: Kevin Shirley-how much influence

Compared to most on this forum, I am a newcomer to Joe's music.  I became aware of Joe shortly after the release of RAH I.  I fell in love with the music and wanted more.  I bought everything Joe had recorded and continue to do so today. There is a distinct difference between the "John Henry and Sloe Gin" albums and what we hear on RAH I and albums since then.  Obviously the talent is the same but the "sophistication" for a lack of a better word is different.  Why the difference? Where did it come from?  I need an education from those of you that recognized the great talent years ago and have followed the growth ever since.

The only thing we deserve, is an opportunity.  Everything else has to be earned.
  • From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Registered: 2012-02-03
  • Posts: 241

Re: Kevin Shirley-how much influence

Well, bottom lined, Joe released his first albums (from 2000's A New Day Yesterday to 2004's Had To Cry Today) with different producers but mostly keeping true to his over-the-top-blues playing (if that exists) , and for the 2005 album You & Me (and all the rest ever since) Kevin Shirley became his producer and got Joe to focus more in the aspects of songwritting and song structure, I guess, hence the song becoming more "sophisticaded"

I'm broke, motherf**ker!
  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Kevin Shirley-how much influence

Kevin joined up with Joe for the You and Me album (just before the Sloe Gin album), and yes, he has been a huge influence on Joe's music since they've been together. Joe and Roy (Joe's manager since he was a teen) have acknowledged this, and consider him the third leg of the stool that has taken Joe's career to the next level.

  • ken
  • ken
  • Titanium
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  • From: Orlando, FL
  • Registered: 2007-05-28
  • Posts: 949

Re: Kevin Shirley-how much influence

matirocker wrote:

Well, bottom lined, Joe released his first albums (from 2000's A New Day Yesterday to 2004's Had To Cry Today) with different producers but mostly keeping true to his over-the-top-blues playing (if that exists) , and for the 2005 album You & Me (and all the rest ever since) Kevin Shirley became his producer and got Joe to focus more in the aspects of songwritting and song structure, I guess, hence the song becoming more "sophisticaded"

You beat me to this one ... wink

  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
  • Posts: 4,767

Re: Kevin Shirley-how much influence

Hey bobkatmsu.From what I have absorbed over the years is that Kevin has alot of input into  the albums.Think of KS as the coach and Joe the athlete.that's  my take on it.I do think the partnership has worked although some pine for the old power trio days.I have liked Joe from his first album on.Some better than others but that's  splitting hairs.I think it would be safe to say  that Joe has grown as an artist like it or not since working with KS.Noway Joe has this success at this time with out that partnership.
  When I first found Joes music he was playing a a little theater in a far suburb of Chicago.This was 2006.Three years later he played Albert Hall.With no record label to promote him.Kevin jumped in shortly after that time to make You and Me. didn't happen overnight but I see KS influence on the direction.
  To sum up yes Kevin has help take the music to a higher level of sophistication if you will.

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