~ JOE WOOD ~ Music & Art

THE LONELY ONES REVIEWS

Back to the basics
Reviewer: Richard Schwarz BRAZIL
All great artists have had their finest moments when they went straight for the heart, and The Lonely Ones album is the living proof of this! One of Joe Wood´s masterpieces, showing him at the top of his talents as a singer, guitarist and songwriter. You can hear the echoes of his influences as The Doors, Howling Wolf, Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and many more, yet with an incredible and original vibe, presence and emotion.

Joe Wood and The Lonely Ones (1)
Opening Act For Kenny Wayne Shepherd...4/16/2009

When I first heard that Joe Wood was playing the Belly Up with a blues band, I wasn’t sure if it was the same Joe Wood I was thinking of. TSOL, Joe Wood? 80’s west coast punk, Joe Wood? Sure enough when I entered the venue and saw a few True Liberty shirts, and then I had my answer. But to be honest, I wasn’t sure what I was going to expect never hearing or seeing The Lonely Ones. Going from punk to blues is kind of like Al Green going from sexed-up R & B to gospel—it didn’t work for me. . .or so I thought. A little older and a little more tattooed up, Wood stepped out on stage. As soon as I heard him ripping through a blues riff, I raised my eyebrow in surprise. “Hell yeah,” is all I thought. Totally different band, totally different sound but still the same on-stage presence. Wood worked the crowd who all raised their beer bottles in a cry of approval. “Fuck yeah, Joe!” the guy next to me yelled. Tracks like “Livin’ on Death Row” from their last release Blues Out of Long Beach, CA and “Dark Days” are reminiscent of the smoky, bar-brawling, poolhall hustling, whiskey spilling blues. Humorously I thought to myself that a bar fight was going to break out any moment and Patrick Swayze was going to jump in and bust up the fight. A rowdier Stevie Ray Vaughan and a mean-punchin’ Albert King, Joe Wood and The Lonely Ones rock the roadhouse sound with a definitive punk attitude. It was energizing and rebel-rousing. If there is one thing I could say about the show, “Fuck yeah is right, Joe. Fuck yeah.”

AWESOME!!!! Picks up where he left off BUT even better! Reviewer: Willy Trimble 2008
Great CD! 10 kick ass blues influenced rock songs! Take the best of late TSOL,BB.King,The Cult, throw in some nasty Sex Pistols attitude and you have Joe Wood and The Lonely Ones! The best album I have bought in a long long long time. Thanks Joe!!!!!

Reviewer: Steve Thoma
I was looking for bands to present for a music festival, and dug through a stack of submissions. After scanning through several tracks by many artists, I inserted the Joe Wood & the Lonely Ones cd, and, BAM! This record jumped out of my cheapo office stereo - which is the true test machine! I was immediately blown away...great songs, soulful vocal presentation, just the right touch from the supporting cast of musicians. I proceeded to read about Joe Wood, and discovered his credentials. Then I picked up the phone - and made that call. Joe was extremely gracious upon hearing my rambling and ebullient kudos, and agreed to perform at the event that I was producing. Joe has since made my list of "5 records I'd want on a desert island". This record rocks from the downbeat, and he really turns it on when he plays live. So check it out... You will completely loose yourself in the talents of Joe Wood!

Reviewer: Eric
Joe Wood , former frontman of TSOL and Cisco Poison, returns with a great ten track CD full of solid rock with bluesy roots. Anyone who liked his past work will love this but newcomers will be pleased with the great songwriting and Joe's voice. Highly recommended!

joe wood is in fact a great vocalist.

Request JOE WOOD on TPS radio!
Reviewer: KaRi from ThePrimeSpot.com
I think I first saw JOE WOOD at TheBlueCafe.com in LONG BEACH. I love the whole CD but everyonce in a while I just CRAVE the song "Dark Days." Joe is also an awesome painter as well, that why you just HAVE to have the CD. When YOU get the craving and wanna share his music with the wwworld, contact ThePrimeSpot Radio Show on WPMD.org (Cerritos College, 9-11am Mondays) and kbeach.org (CSULB Fall-Spring Fridays 9-11pm and tell us why!

Blues with gritty soul.
Reviewer: Buck Dingo

Loved in the Midwest!

Reviewer: Mickey Lindstrom
On a business trip to the LA area from Lincoln, NE, I was instroduced to this unbelievable artist's CD by my brother (a LB resident). Too bad Joe Wood wasn't playing at The Blue Cafe that night...I had to have his CD. I gave it to my husband for Valentine's Day! He was elated! The next time I visit the LA area...we'll find you - Joe Wood!

A CD that evolving blues artists should emulate. A+.
Reviewer: Steven Morello Jr.
Those familiar with Mr. Wood's work in TSOL will not be disappointed. The Lonely Ones has the unique guitarwork and earnest vocal delivery you'd expect. The uninitiated will find a vocalist that is sort of a Morrison/Howlin' Wolf hybrid, combined with a band showing that the term blues rock doesn't have to be formulaic and cliche'. And the lyrics............Both dark and enlightening. Grade A stuff..........

You will completely loose yourself in the talents of Joe Wood!
Reviewer: Laurie Wetzel
This CD(The Lonely Ones)travels with me from my car, to the house to my laptop computer. I can't remember the last time I got my hands on a CD where I truly loved every single song! Joe Woods talent is amazing and addicting!! From a scale from 1-10...this CD is a 20!

From the heart Reviewer: S
I love every heartfelt sound on this cd! If you ever have the chance to see Joe Wood live, DO IT! He will never let you down. I have listened to this cd over and over again, and every time is just like the first. The words are so true, and the music is so powerful!

Glad to have Joe Wood still cranking them out!
Reviewer: John Escobales
Joe Wood hooked me on TSOL. I only have the albums he sang on. I picked up one he wasn't on and enjoyed it but not the way I dug Hit and Run. On Hit and Run his lyrics and dynamic voice hooked me immediately. His Morrison-esqe growl and roar. On The Lonely Ones he proves he's still got it and delves deeper into the blues. It's a great blues record. If any of you old TSOL fans liked "Good Morning Blues" way back in the day, one of the songs that made TSOL really stand out among the rest of the 80's bands that were running wild across the country, then you owe it to yourself to pick up this record.

Reviewer: Goody
What an awesome cd! If you want some hometown back alley blues with his TSOL/Cisco Poison twist, then this is it. It's hard to find an artist that stands the test of time such as Joe Wood has done as well as the likes of bluesy Jeffery Lee Pierce, R.I.P., of the Gun Club, Mike Ness of S.D., Rob Younger of Radiobirdman, nka The New Christs and don't forget Joey Ramone. They still bring us and brought us their 70's and 80's influence to the new century that I know will carry on for years to come that the new generation will groove to. No disregard to Jack Grisham but Joe Wood made TSOL with his howling voice and gripping lyrics. I'm looking forward to more recordings and hopefully a tour to Cleveland, Ohio. Stay cool Joe. A CD that evolving blues artists should emulate. A+. Reviewer: Steven Morello Jr. Those familiar with Mr. Wood's work in TSOL will not be disappointed. The Lonely Ones has the unique guitarwork and earnest vocal delivery you'd expect. The uninitiated will find a vocalist that is sort of a Morrison/Howlin' Wolf hybrid, combined with a band showing that the term blues rock doesn't have to be formulaic and cliche'. And the lyrics............Both dark and enlightening. Grade A stuff.......... Awsome album!!! I've been waiting years to hear Joe again.

Reviewer: M. Engen
A great album. Blues tinged rock reminisent of Joe Wood era TSOL. I have been looking for material from Joe for years. Very worth the wait.

Reviewer: Eric
Joe Wood , former frontman of TSOL and Cisco Poison, returns with a great ten track CD full of solid rock with bluesy roots. Anyone who liked his past work will love this but newcomers will be pleased with the great songwriting and Joe's voice. Highly recommended!

There is talent and then there is Joe Wood - GENIUS!!!
Reviewer: Judith Carr in Escondido 2006
Strolling about on a Friday evening in Escondido looking for some enlightenment and what did we find? A quant bar that offered more than just drinks - it offered Joe Wood and his dynomite band. The music and lyrics are so soul grabbing. I loved the songs so much that I had to have a CD and yes, Joe went to his car and I bought the last one. Hand delivered! We enjoyed the music so much that we are now on the website looking to visit as many of his performances in San Diego, LB and LA as possible. We WILL drive for this band. Joe - thanks for the CD. We are jamming to it daily in the house and car. See you soon. A VERY TALENTED ARTIST AND MUSICIAN WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND AND WILL SHARE. Judith and Alan

THE LONELY ONES is the album the nineties missed. I will tell just one thing: if you love real bluesy and strong rock and roll, you should buy this record yesterday and Feel It! If you don´t, Just Bad for you!For fans of TSOL circa late 1980's, Joe Wood picks up where he left off. For the newcomers, Joe Wood is a blues man, with heart and the voice to back it up. He sounds like he's been stewing in a sweat and smoke filled hard drinken saloon for the past 20 years. The guy writes about what he knows and he has been witness to some hard times. There are some easy listening bar tunes here as well as some gems that feel like he wrote them for you and me. If you like your blues with some dirty soul - this is where it's at.

TSOL ALBUM REVIEWS
REVENGE, CHANGE TODAY, STRANGELOVE, HIT& RUN, HELL & BACK TOGETHER
EMAIL JOE WOOD A REVIEW TO: JOEWOOD33@COX.NET

It's only Punk Rock..., 2008

By	Branco (Brazil)

CHANGE TODAY BY TSOL Simple ... The Best... It's the better album of punk rock at 80's... and " Flowers by the door" it's a classical!!! Enjoy it...

Hands down best TSOL album period., August 17, 2008
By A Customer
CHANGE TODAY BY TSOL I'm a big fan of the old So Cal punk sound (angry samoans, circle jerks, black flag, etc.) I picked up this album on vinyl for five bucks. It doesn't sound like most TSOL but it is hands down my favorite TSOL album. You could tell that they were really serious about this album. Lyrics are poetic and the musicianship is driving and well crafted. Definitely some brooding sexy stuff. Take a girlie home and put this album on....

Great Stuff,

CHANGE TODAY BY TSOL I bought this album in the 1980s, and it rarely left my turntable. Joe Wood has a great voice (kind of a cross between Morrison and Idol with a little more bluesy feel - matter of fact, while setting up in a small club in Fullerton, Joe played a solo version of The End and that was a treat). Ron Emory has always had a unique guitar sound, and that continues here. Mitch Dean hits the skins with emotion, and Mike Roche plays killer bass lines.

October 7, 2006

Eric DiBella

STRANGELOVE BY TSOL

If your looking for a good album and I mean whole album try this!
Yes T.S.O.L. is a punk band but with this release its more towards 80's rock not punk! I like every song and enjoy just putting this disc on and listening while working out (it keeps you going!). Hit and Run and this one go together if you like that one you'll definitely like this one!

Great classic album, April 1, 2007

By	Burritoman "burritoman"

The reason so many people hate this disc is because they're punk rock fans of the stuff TSOL did before Joe Wood took over. This is straightforward hard rock and blues metal, with nothing whatsoever to do with punk. If you like great hard rock, then by all means get "Strange Love" as it is absolutely a great set.

Fantastic, classic TSOL, April 26, 2004

Aaron Oechsli

REVENGE BY TSOL This is by far my favorite TSOL album -- from any period. From start to finish, there isn't a weak track on it. Though this album still has some punk elements to it, this release is mostly a straight rock outing.
The album certainly evokes a gritty feel and a very real sense of the darker side of big city life. The thing that always brings me back to this album is I can identify with the emotion and longing portrayed here. As with all the best albums, I am living the songs as they play. While I may not have been in the exact same situations, something in every song translates into a relatable experience.

The immediate standout is "Colors (Take Me Away)" , a gripping account of love and betrayal. "Nothin For You" relates the strange desperation of a junkie and the need to feed his fix. Other standouts include "Still the Same" and the title track, "Revenge".
The lyrical content is some of the best on a rock album. The vocals are strong and clear and the musical composition is perfect for relaying the emotion that is contained within.
For better or worse, after this album the band became more involved in the LA Rock scene from that era (circa 1987+ think Poison, Great White, etc). That being said, _THIS_ album is an absolute classic. For me it is nearly flawless, even after all of these years. Enjoy.
Of interest older fans may be the whereabouts of Joe Wood. He is currently an artist in Long Beach. He also occasionally plays with his band Joe Wood and the Lonely Ones. Their CD "The Lonely Ones" is a very good blues-rock number, with some catchy tracks.

Well done - good production - high energy, March 17, 2005

By	Tym Johnson

I was introduced to TSOL on tour for the "Change Today" album. The Joe Wood era is all I really know. I hear punk purists speak of the Jack Grisham releases as being the only true TSOL material, all the while discounting the Joe Wood material as being substandard. I just don't get it. The older stuff in 1981 was good in a certain "garage" context, but I felt that the band grew quite a bit with "Change Today," and then "Revenge" takes it one step further, by adding some professional production elements.

It's A Shame Really, November 10,2007

Derek Griffith

REVENGE BY TSOL This album is really good. a 3 and a half, but not quite a four. The drums are very punk but wood adds an incredible rock feel to this album. If you just like good music pick this up.