This is what I've been waiting for...!

Review: Joostvd - 196 Tree
Formaat: CD - Digitaal / Label: Independent
Release: 2024

 

                                                        (english) Text: Peter Marinus

It has become a tradition that I look forward to every year. A new album from Joostvd! This singer-songwriter and do-it-yourselfer Joost van Dinther, a.k.a. The Vanishing Dutchman, has imposed himself with a new album every year. And every time he surprises with very high -quality songs in which all kinds of influences pass by such as the warm Kevin Ayers sound through the singing of Joost, Cocktail Jazz, Bee Gees Disco, Fusion, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan ...

opens his new album With the ingenious \"Hink-Step-Sprong\" funk from Keep the Temperature Down. Full of lazy grooves, who stumble over each other but still continue to swing.

then it's time for the Samba in the Dark. Because of Joost's singing, this song sounds like Kevin Ayers ventures on the Samba with good results and a cocktail in his hand. The Bee Gees Disco sound is brought by Joost in that freaking disco through the mangle resulting in a grooving Stely Dan-like sound. Voyage of Vanity is then a beneficial cocktail jazz number powered by lazy electronic rhythms.

The venomous pumping, and funky, the girl not the blues is full of angular grooves and fusion influences. The intimate side of Joost passes by the Michael Franks-like Souljazz song When Blue Turns to Gray. City in the Sea is an instrumental floating Syn-Pop number in the best Yellow Magic Orchestra tradition. Speaking of The Yellow Magic Orchestra ... Sakamoto is a respectful and atmospheric tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto. After the guitar instrumental flower in a flame, Joost closes his album with the hopping funky Zoo or Zen. I am already looking forward to the 2025 album!                                                                                                                                                        

                  

                                                         (dutch) Tekst: Peter Marinus

Het is inmiddels een traditie geworden waar ik jaarlijks naar uitkijk. Een nieuw album van JoosTVD! Deze singer-songwriter en doe-het-zelver Joost van Dinther, a.k.a. The Vanishing Dutchman, heeft zichzelf opgelegd om elk jaar met een nieuw album te komen. En elke keer verrast hij met kwalitatief zeer hoogstaande nummers waarin allerlei invloeden voorbij komen zoals het warme Kevin Ayers geluid door de zang van Joost, cocktail jazz, Bee Gees disco, fusion, Frank Zappa, Steely Dan…

Zijn nieuwe album opent met de ingenieuze “hink-stap-sprong” funk van Keep The Temperature Down. Vol met luie grooves, die over elkaar  heen struikelen maar toch blijven swingen.

Dan is het tijd voor de samba in The Dark. Door de zang van Joost klinkt dit nummer alsof Kevin Ayers zich, met goed resultaat en een cocktail in zijn hand, aan de samba waagt. Het Bee Gees disco geluid wordt door Joost in That Freaking Disco door de mangel gehaald met een groovend Steely Dan-achtig geluid als gevolg. Voyage Of Vanity is vervolgens een weldadig cocktail jazz nummer aangedreven door luie elektronische ritmes.

Het venijnig pompend, en funky, The Girl Not The Blues zit vol met hoekige grooves en fusion invloeden. De intieme kant van Joost komt voorbij in het Michael Franks-achtige souljazz nummer When Blue Turns To Grey. City In The Sea is een instrumentaal zwevend syn-pop nummer in de beste Yellow Magic Orchestra traditie. Over the Yellow Magic Orchestra gesproken…Sakamoto is een respectvol en sfeervol eerbetoon aan Ryuichi Sakamoto.

In 196Tree laat Joost, al croonend, de 60’s pop voorbij komen. Na de gitaar instrumental Flower In A Flame sluit Joost zijn album af met het huppelend funky Zoo Or Zen.

Opnieuw levert JoosTVD een prima eigenzinnig kwaliteits album af. Ik kijk nu al uit naar het 2025 album!

 

 

Fab Review from Timpaan Muziek

Surprise, surprise! Another lovely review from this dutch music website, Timpaan Muziek. Very Constructive views on the songs. They were very critical of the 2020 album "Doesn't Ring A Bell", but maybe it helped creating better songs. Who knows?! Well thanks again!

In dutch: 

Ook dit jaar is er een nieuwe JoosTVD, Suit yourself. Zijn herkenbare stijl hanteert hij ook op dit album. Jazz, rock, pop en Latijns-Amerikaanse invloeden mengt hij tot een eigenzinnige stijl. De humor houdt de vele virtuoze riffjes in evenwicht.

JoosTVD zegt zelf over het tot stand komen van dit album: “Ik heb ouderwets onderliggende frustraties eruit gegooid. Dat zorgde voor de nodige intensiteit in de songs. Ik werd geïnspireerd door een hoop verzamelde, random oneliner woordvelden, waarmee ik vrij spontaan melodieën kon inkleuren.“

Op Suit yourself heeft hij de vorm van The fly on the wall routine weer teruggevonden. Op titelsong Suit yourself laat JoosTVD horen dat hij alle kanten op stuitert. Leuk zijn de blazersklanken die uit het keyboard komen. De basgitaar met vele syncopes speelt een hoofdrol in de begeleiding. Virtuoos, strakke productie soms druk door de vele lagen maken samen een gelikt geluid.

The buzz heeft een aanstekelijke drive. World of make believe en World of disbelieve maken samen een opmerkelijk tweeluik. Waarbij de eerstgenoemde de beste track van het album is, lijkt de tweede daar vooral de draak mee te steken. Suit yourself en Suit myself hebben een zelfde soort relatie met elkaar.

JoosTVD schotelt de liefhebbers van zijn muziek dit jaar een uitstekend album voor.

 

In English:

 Also this year there is a new JoosTVD, Suit yourself. He also uses his recognizable style on this album. He mixes jazz, rock, pop and Latin American influences into a unique style. The humor keeps the many virtuoso riffs in balance.

JoosYVD himself says about the creation of this album: “I threw out old-fashioned underlying frustrations. That gave the necessary intensity to the songs. I was inspired by a lot of collected, random one-liner word fields, with which I could color melodies quite spontaneously.”

On Suit yourself he has rediscovered the form of The fly on the wall routine. On the title song Suit yourself, JoosTVD shows that he bounces in all directions. The horn sounds that come out of the keyboard are nice. The bass guitar with many syncopes plays a leading role in the accompaniment. Virtuoso, tight production sometimes busy because of the many layers together make a slick sound.

The buzz has an infectious drive. World of make believe and World of disbelieve together make a remarkable diptych. While the former is the best track on the album, the latter seems to make fun of it. Suit yourself and Suit myself have the same kind of relationship with each other.

JoosTVD presents an excellent album to fans of his music this year.

Review from Belgium!

What a nice suprise from the south. Belgium that is. Yes, Belgium is gonna win the WK of 2018 of course! Didn't expect this one either. I'm just humbled by these words. Another review will get me going! Thank you Lambert Smits and Marino Serdons from 'Keys and Chords', a belgian online music magazine. And no, I didn't bribe them! Namedropping? Zappa, Rundgren, Protheroe (yes what's in a name!)

Dutch:
"Surprise, surprise, funky music vanuit buurland Nederland. JoosTVD, Joos The vanished Dutchman, levert al sedert 2005 het ene unieke digitale album na het andere af. Chapeau voor deze einzelganger: schrijft, componeert en speelt alle muziek zelf. Arrangeert, mixed en mastered zijn eigen brouwsels tot een prachtig geheel. Zo ook met zijn nieuwste telg 'Just Say kNOw'. Het album spettert van de funky grooves en doet regelmatig denken aan wijlen Frank Zappa, een meester in complexe en toch begrijpbare structuren. Luister maar eens naar opener 'Not Now' of 'The Vanished Romeo': elektronica zoals Todd Rundgren, xylofoon nals Frank Zappa. Is hier een volledig orkest aan het werk? Nee hoor, dit is JoosTVD ten note uit. Als geen ander weet hij elke song een meeslepende groove te bezorgen. Door de complexiteit blijf je geboeid luisteren, opnieuw en opnieuw. Ook houdt hij van grappige intermezzo's zoals in het theatrale 'My Cat Is Stoned' (waarin ook Brian Protheroe een kei was). Luchtig! Wie nog mocht twijfelen: Tom Robinson pikt regelmatig songs op voor zijn BBC6 Shows. 'Just say kNOw' is een oerdegelijk tof album geworden dat roept om een fysieke drager zoals vinyl. Digitaal natuurlijk te beluisteren via de geijkte kanalen Spotify, Deezer, enz."

Beautiful album from The Vanished Dutchman Joost. Strong funky grooves with Zappa-tesque influences, but also melancholy and a lot of fun. A wonderful discovery.
Marino Serdons

Vanished in Belgium

English:
 Surprise, surprise, funky music from neighboring Netherlands. JoosTVD, Joos The vanished Dutchman, has been delivering one unique digital album after another since 2005. Chapeau for this einzelganger: writes, composes and plays all music itself. Arranges, mixed and mastered his own brews into a beautiful whole. This is also the case with his latest member 'Just Say kNOw'. The album splashes with funky grooves and regularly reminds of the late Frank Zappa, a master of complex yet understandable structures. Listen to opener 'Not Now' or 'The Vanished Romeo': electronics such as Todd Rundgren, xylophone and Frank Zappa. Is there a full orchestra at work here? No, this is JoosTVD on note. Like no other he knows how to deliver a compelling groove to a song. Due to the complexity, you will continue to listen fascinated, again and again. He also likes funny intermezzos such as in the theatrical 'My Cat Is Stoned' (in which Brian Protheroe was also a boulder). Airy! Who might doubt: Tom Robinson regularly picks up songs for his BBC6 Shows. 'Just say kNOw' has become an incredibly cool album that calls for a physical carrier such as vinyl. Digital to listen to naturally via the well-known channels Spotify, Deezer, etc. '

Beautiful album from The Vanished Dutchman Joost. Strong funky grooves with Zappa-tesque influences, but also melancholy and a lot of fun. A wonderful discovery.
Marino Serdons

And another dutch review!

I didn't see this coming....I hoped, but didn't pray. Some nice words caught my eyes. They arrived in Blues Magazine!
It's a loooong read, so...Thank you, TU, no you!

The Vanished Drunk

 Dutch:
Tekst: Peter Marinus
Bij dit album is wel het één en ander uit te leggen. Allereerst de artiestennaam JoostTVD. TVD staat hier voor “The Vanished Dutchman” en dat is weer een alias van de Nederlandse singer-songwriter Joost van Dinther. Hij omschrijft zijn muziek zelf als “zelfbevlekkende, narcistische, selfkickende, obsessieve en uitknijpende muziek”. Een hele mondvol dus.  Joost ontpopt zich op dit album als een muzikale doe-het-zelver, die met het grootste gemak allerlei muziekstijlen door elkaar heen gooit en daar weer één prachtig geheel van maakt.
Tom Robinson, de Engelse artiest die in de new wave periode hits scoorde met “2-4-6-8 Motorway” en “Listen To The Radio”, was dermate onder de indruk van Joost dat hij een aantal van zijn songs draaide in zijn radioprogramma op BBC 6.
Wat krijgen we hier te horen? Muziek, die beïnvloed is door artiesten als Todd Rundgren, Frank Zappa, The Tubes en nog veel meer artiesten/genres.
Het openingsnummer, Not Now, is bijvoorbeeld een funky rocknummer waarin invloeden rondzweven van Todd Rundgren, Gino Vannelli en Frank Zappa. Met name die dwarse xylofoon zou zo bij Zappa vandaan kunnen komen. Razendknap om van al die invloeden een aanstekelijk swingend funky nummer te maken. Er gebeurt echt van alles in dit nummer. Knetterende Tower Of Power-achtige blazers, een scheurende gitaarsolo en elektronische ritmes, die totaal niet storen. The Vanished Romeo begint met new age-achtige panfluit geluiden, die al snel weggevaagd worden door een schroeiende wah wah gitaar. Vervolgens wordt een luie, geile Zappa funker ingezet vol ingenieuze breaks. Joos heeft een perfect zwoel stemgeluid voor dit nummer. Ook de eigenzinnigheid van The Tubes en Todd Rundgren klinken door in dit nummer. Het luchtige funky Indie mengt Zappa, The Tubes en Toto tot een warm wiegend nummer. My Cat Is Stoned is een bizarre mix van vaudeville, funk en Zappiaanse waanzin. Er komt van alles voorbij in dit nummer: maffe stemmetjes, fluitjes, geboer, en dat alles over een kat die stoned is! Loaded is vervolgens een Tito Puente-achtig latin fusionnummer. Zwoel swingend met soulvolle zang en haast Philly soul-achtige strijkers. Gameface doet qua synthesizergeluid denken aan het spacey werk van Gary Wright, in zijn “Dream Weaver” periode. Maar Joos vermengt dit uiteraard met het geluid van The Tubes, de erotische zwijmelsoul van Barry White en Zappa.
Nerveus ratelende elektro ritmes ontwikkelen zich in Rottendance tot een loom groovend nummer vol zwevende synthesizers en retestrakke Zappa breaks. Probeer hier maar eens op te dansen! Ik garandeer je dat je binnen no time kramp in je kuiten hebt! In Crest Of A Wave gaan we op de softsoul toer met een hoog Gino Vannelli gehalte, compleet met een ruisende branding. In de felle, eigenzinnige funkrock van There’s No Sense In Making Sense lijkt Zappa een huwelijk aangegaan te zijn met Johnny Guitar Watson en de ritmesectie van Tower Of Power. All The Way is een zwoel nachtclub nummer dat doet denken aan Kevin Ayers en zijn “Falling In Love With You”.
Joos sluit dit zeer avontuurlijke album af met de sprookjesachtige instrumental Not Ever, die gedomineerd wordt door zijn warme romantische toetsenwerk.
Ik ben zeer onder de indruk van de veelzijdigheid van JoosTVD en ga het album nog maar eens opzetten. Eens kijken wat ik nu weer allemaal ga ontdekken!

english:
Text: Peter Marinus
With this album you can explain a few things. First the artist name JoostTVD. TVD stands for 'The Vanished Dutchman' and that is another alias of Dutch singer-songwriter Joost van Dinther. He describes his music as 'self-stinking, narcissistic, self-kicking, obsessive and squeezing music'. A whole mouthful.

Joost reveals himself on this album as a musical do-it-yourselfer, who throws all kinds of musical styles together with the greatest ease and makes one more beautiful whole.
Tom Robinson, the English artist who scored hits in the new wave period with '2-4-6-8 Motorway' and 'Listen To The Radio', was so impressed with Joost that he played some of his songs in his radio program on BBC 6.
What can we hear here? Music influenced by artists like Todd Rundgren, Frank Zappa, The Tubes and many more artists / genres.

The opening track, Not Now, is for example a funky rock song in which influences float around from Todd Rundgren, Gino Vannelli and Frank Zappa. Especially that transverse xylophone could come from Zappa. A frenzy to make all those influences an infectious swinging funky song. There really is everything happening in this issue. Crackling Tower Of Power-like horns, a ripping guitar solo and electronic rhythms, that do not disturb at all. The Vanished Romeo starts with new age-like panflute sounds, which are quickly wiped out by a scorching Wah Wah guitar. Then a lazy, horny Zappa funker is used full of ingenious breaks. Joos has a perfectly sultry voice for this song. Also the idiosyncrasy of The Tubes and Todd Rundgren resound in this song. The airy funky Indie mixes Zappa, The Tubes and Toto into a warm rocking song. My Cat Is Stoned is a bizarre mix of vaudeville, funk and Zappian madness. All kinds of things pass by in this song: wacky voices, whistles, bats, and everything about a cat that is stoned! Loaded is then a Tito Puente-like latin fusion number. Swinging with soulful singing and almost Philly soul-like strings. In terms of synthesizer sound, Gameface is reminiscent of the spacey work of Gary Wright in his 'Dream Weaver' period. But Joos mixes this with the sound of The Tubes, the erotic whisper of Barry White and Zappa.
Nervous rattling electro rhythms develop into a loom grooving song full of floating synthesizers and retro twist Zappa breaks in Rottendance. Try dancing here! I guarantee that you have cramp in your calves in no time! In Crest Of A Wave we go on the softsoul tour with a high Gino Vannelli level, complete with a rustling surf. In the fierce, quirky funk rock of There's No Sense In Making Sense, Zappa seems to have entered into a marriage with Johnny Guitar Watson and the rhythm section of Tower Of Power. All The Way is a sultry nightclub song reminiscent of Kevin Ayers and his 'Falling In Love With You'.
Joos closes this very adventurous album with the fairytale instrumental Not Ever, which is dominated by his warm romantic keyboard work.

I am very impressed by the versatility of JoosTVD and will put the album up again. Let's see what I'm going to discover again!

And another dutch review!

                                          
                                                                     It's all about networking I guess.......


This time I've got some welcome feedback from Timpaan Muziek
And again that Zappa reference....

Well, as a dutchman I'm not used getting dutch reviews...

Dutch:
Joost The Vanished Dutchman (JoosTVD) is een multiinstrumentalist en heeft een nieuw album uit, Just say know.
Funky jazzachtige muziek met een onverwacht lage stem doet een beetje aan Frank Zappa denken. Virtuoze loopjes en ingenieuze tegenmelodieën vullen elkaar continue aan. Opener Not now heeft een prima drive. The vanished Romeo doet de mondhoeken onwillekeurig omhoog krullen. Even een korte stijlbreuk met een citaat erin verweven. kortom muziek waar over nagedacht is. Humor zit in deze muziek. My cat is stoned voor de slappe lach. Het beeld dat JoosTVD oproept is zo lachwekkend. Alleen de tekst ‘My cat wants to be a dog‘ al, tranen over de wangen. De referentie aan Frank Zappa is ook hier onmiskenbaar. De humor en absurde teksten en onderwerpen benadrukken dat.
De virtuositeit klinkt wat te gepolijst op dit album. De vraag komt daardoor gelijk op of het al dan niet ‘live’ is ingespeeld of dat er flink gesampled en bijgeschaafd is. En ja, hij heeft het allemaal echt ingespeeld, weten we. Maar die vraag wil je als luisteraar niet in je hoofd hebben zitten. Maakt wel nieuwsgierig naar live-uitvoeringen van de nummers. Het hummen en ‘dabadibedie’ in Gameface nodigt uit tot meedoen. Naar mate het album vordert zijn de liedjes wat inwisselbaar voor elkaar met name Crest of wave en There is no sense in making sense. Het croonende pianonummer All the way is een welkome afwisseling en was een mooie afsluiter geweest. De echte hekkensluiter van het album Not ever komt iets te veel uit de elektronische toetsen, maar maakt het album wel op een goede manier af.
Virtuoos, humoristisch, eigenzinnig en absurd. JoosTVD! Nu een liveband en het clubcircuit in.
Eindoordeel: 8,0

The Vanished....Dutchman

English:
Joost The Vanished Dutchman (JoosTVD) is a multi-instrumentalist and has a new album, Just say know. Funky jazzy music with an unexpected low voice reminds a bit of Frank Zappa. Virtuous loops and ingenious counter-melodies complement each other continuously. Opener Not now has a good drive. The vanished Romeo involuntarily curls up the corners of the mouth. Just a short style break with a quote in it. in short, music that has been thought about. Humor is in this music. My cat is stoned for the limp laugh. The image that JoosTVD evokes is so laughable. Only the text 'My cat wants to be a dog', tears on the cheeks. The reference to Frank Zappa is also unmistakable here. The humor and absurd texts and subjects emphasize that. The virtuosity sounds a bit too polished on this album. As a result, the question arises whether it has been played live or whether it has been sampled and refined. And yes, he has really played it all, we know. But you do not want that question as a listener in your head. Makes you curious about live performances of the songs. The humming and 'dabadibedie' in Gameface invites you to participate. As the album progresses, the songs are exchangeable for each other in particular Crest or wave and There is no sense in making sense. The crowning piano number All the way is a welcome change and was a nice ending. The real hekkensluiter of the album Not ever comes a bit too much from the electronic keys, but makes the album in a good way. Virtuoso, humorous, idiosyncratic and absurd. JoosTVD! Now a live band and the club circuit in.

Final verdict: 8.0 

Released "Just Say Know" And Where?

Great! "Just Say kNOw" released worldwide, but where to go to? Look around your corner...and pick one:

                                                                                                    Spotify
                                                                                                                              Juno
                                                                         iTunes
                                                                                                                                Deezer
                                                          7 Digital
                                                                                                                                     Google Music
                                                              Amazon
                                                                                                              Tidal
                                                                                                                              Napster
                                                                                  Youtube
                                                                                                                                           KKBox

                                                                                                   Qobuz
                                                                                                                                    Discogs
                                                                            eMusic
                                                                                                                                                   AWA
                                                                                          Bandcamp 





Constantly updated, so watch this page*!
Don't say I didn't tell ya...

TBA3

2017

So this must be my last blog of 2017 already...! A few last words then about what I've been doing those 12 months.
Guess you have witnessed the silence on this blog lately ("Vanished" remember?), but that will change in 2018 with the release of my new album, that's now almost finished. All the music has been recorded. I have just a few lyrics to complete that will take it to the final mixing and mastering stage. Excited times ahead......

Back to 2017 then.

Vanished in Sicily

- How to vanish...a bit of a relaxation will do. Really enjoyed Sicily (heart of the old maffia monopoly, but with a beautiful  greek scenery), a welcome and much needed vacation to recharch the batteries.


- Happily released another bunch of songs last may. Worked hard on those, but the pleasure and pain was all mine. What? You didn't hear Sagitario ?

Yeah that's the one

Nice reviews and more airplays followed. Also nice to know that a lot of my songs have been used as a license and heard in more instore- video projects. And I don't even have to sell myself or make compromises! No pressure, so it's great to be an organic musician on the digital highway!
By the way, the next one will arrive....in 2018.

Music I've heard in 2017:

- In between these recording sessions I've listened to a lots of tunes again, like the unavoidable, but loveable reissues of David Bowie, Queen, Doors, Bob Dylan, Frank Zappa and quite a few new releases, some I like but in a "nothing really stands out" way (1,2,3):

1.Not bad, Ok..
Roger Waters (still angry, but too much "deja vu" Animals), Curtis Harding (good atmosphere, but totally retro pastiche), Michael McDonald (too heavy, too serious), Leon Russell (post R.I.P., nice arrangements, but too overblown), Neil Finn (organic production, but too lowkey), Stephen Stills & Judy Collins (organic feel, a few nice melodies, but Stills' voice is shot), Bruce Cockburn (intense), Gizmodrome (Copeland dominates, sometimes funny, but his irritating busy drumming spoils it), Todd Rundgren (return to songwriting, but predictable melodies) Santana & The Isley Brothers (Carlos is too much the guest here), Lindsey Buckingham & Christine McVie (better call it Fleetwood Mac without Nicks, what's the-sigh-point?).

2.Really?
Some artists I've admired for (quite) a while and some dissapoint for much too long now:
Beck (what the heck..? reminds me of Bowie goes commercial), Bjork (dork, irritating), Neil Young (songs mediocre again, where is the production?), Robert Plant (vaguelly annoying), Hue & Cry (simply boring).

3.Yes!
So what is it that ticks? Groovy, intense, but also melodic, focused, selfreflecting, funny stuff that wiggles my toes.
These albums did that trick this year:

Thundercat - Drunk (hilarious, funky, smooth, funny)

Jamiroquai - Automaton (infectious melodies, funky disco retro circa 1978-1980)

David Crosby - Sky Trails (sophisticated, jazzy, intense, Steely Dan)

Dean Friedman - 12 Songs (SONGwriter, funny, lyrics, eclectic)

Randy Newman - Dark Matter (hilarious, sardonic, funny)

Benjamin Clementine - I Tell A Fly (daring, beautiful, piano, quirky)

Nate Smith- Kinfolk Postcards From Everywhere (organic, soulful jazz)

Books I've read in 2017:

Art Garfunkel- What Is It All But Luminous
Amy C Beal- Carla Bley
Michael Nesmith- Infinite Tuesday An Autobiographical Riff
Jimmy Webb- The Cake And The Rain
John Fogerty - Fortunate Son; My Life, My Music
Michele Kort- Laura Nyro Soul Picnic The Music and Passion
Howard Kaylan- Shell Shocked My Life with the Turtles  Flo and Eddie and Frank Zappa
Phil Collins- Not Dead Yet
Dylan Jones- Mr Mojo Jim Morrison
Maurice White- My Life with EWF
William Shatner- Leonard
Grace Slick- Somebody to Love__ A Rock-And-Roll Memoir
Carol Ann Harris- Storms My Life with Lindsey Buckingham and Fleetwood Mac

Best Movies of 2017:

Get Out
Baby Driver

That's a dutch review for ya!

Another nice review from Music World (source: https://goo.gl/gy84HQ)
Auteur: Fred Pach

"Ongeveer een jaar na zijn vorige album Open My Parachute bracht de Nederlandse multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter Joos TVD (alias van Joost van Dinther, met als muzikale bijnaam Joost The Vanished Dutchman) een nieuw album uit, getiteld Sagitario. En ook dit keer stelt hij de luisteraar niet teleur. Wederom een aangename, dansbare mix van r&b, funk, pop en cabaret en een jazzy sausje, waarmee een aantal nummers wordt opgekleurd, is hoorbaar.
In het eerste nummer Private Scene zingt Joos TVD op grappige wijze dat het toilet onderhand de enige plek is waar men tegenwoordig alleen kan zijn. In andere liedjes komen onder andere aan de orde hectische vriendinnen en het leven van de rijken in Hollywood. Rode draad in de liedjes zijn de humorvolle teksten en de grote afwisseling tussen de twaalf nummers was voor mij evenals op zijn vorige album ook een aangename ervaring.
Het is opnieuw nauwelijks voor te stellen dat we hier te maken hebben met een puur soloproject. Van Dinther bespeelt alle instrumenten en schreef alle liedjes zelf. Zijn muzikale projecten zijn dan ook uniek. Dat het album je het gevoel geeft naar een voltallige band te luisteren, komt mede doordat hij gebruik maakt van ‘drum samples’ met als prettig gevolg dat de organische waarde van het album op peil blijft. Sagitario is wederom een geslaagd muziekproject van JoosTVD".

English: About a year after his last album Open My Parachute brought the Dutch multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter Joos TVD (aka Joost van Dinther, with musical nicknamed The Vanished Dutchman Joost) a new album, entitled Sagitario. And once again he does not disappoint the listener. Again a pleasant mix of danceable R & B, funk, pop and cabaret and a jazzy flavor, which some songs are tinted, is audible.
In the first issue Private Scene Joos TVD sings funny way that the toilet by now the only place where one can nowadays only. In other songs will include raised frantic friends and the life of the rich in Hollywood. Theme in the songs are humorous texts and the large variation between the twelve songs for me as well as his previous album a pleasant experience.
Again, it is hard to imagine that we are dealing with a purely solo project. Van Dinther plays all the instruments and wrote all the songs himself. His musical projects are therefore unique. The album you hear makes you feel a whole band, is partly because he uses 'drum samples' with the pleasant result that the organic value of the album is maintained.
Sagitario is another successful music project from JoosTVD.

The story behind the songs

Every year, a new TVD album appears online. It makes me wonder how? It's like nature's cycle man. Groovy. It comes and it goes. The Vanished Dutchman comes back.

The title "Sagitario"
Well, it's a nice spanish word for the zodiac sign Sagittarius, which is used so many times already in the age of aquarius sixties. Just too pretentious to use.
SaGITARio...

Well and it is my sign. Let's find more about that:
(original source astrology-zodiac signs:)
"Strengths: Generous, idealistic, great sense of humor
Weaknesses: Promises more than can deliver, very impatient, will say anything no matter how undiplomatic
Sagittarius likes: Freedom, travel, philosophy, being outdoors
Sagittarius dislikes: Clingy people, being constrained, off-the-wall theories, details
Curious and energetic, Sagittarius is one of the biggest travelers among all zodiac signs. Their open mind and philosophical view motivates them to wander around the world in search of the meaning of life.
Sagittarius is extrovert, optimistic and enthusiastic, and likes changes. Sagittarius-born are able to transform their thoughts into concrete actions and they will do anything to achieve their goals.
Like the other fire signs, Sagittarius needs to be constantly in touch with the world to experience as much as possible. The ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter, the largest planet of the zodiac. Their enthusiasm has no bounds, and therefore people born under the Sagittarius sign possess a great sense of humor and an intense curiosity.
Freedom is their greatest treasure, because only then they can freely travel and explore different cultures and philosophies. Because of their honesty, Sagittarius-born are often impatient and tactless when they need to say or do something, so it's important to learn to express themselves in a tolerant and socially acceptable way."

Do I believe in this concept? Well I don't think that it matters, it's still fascinating and colourful anyway as I do recognise a few sly streaks.

The process:
1979: I wrote my first lyrics during english classes, but I wanted more. Next to being active as a drummer, I wanted to write my own songs. My then- royal girlfriend sold me her cheap guitar. Cheap didn't matter: the songs dripped from my fingers. I "ate" all the chord progessions I could find (from the Beatles chordbook). I pressed record on any old taperecorder and played...and recorded. Up to often three cassettes a year. From 1998 on I burned cd's. And from 2005 I do it the digital way.
Since then I never looked back, only just a once.
Now I've got better equipment, more flexible tools to work with, better guitars and chops. About time I've grown up!
Still, it amazes me how I can keep it up (!?)

Are you ready for some upbeat songs? Turn them up! Feed me back!

Private Scene
The toilet is my only private scene. To have some real fun, why not start off with an upbeat song? This joyous song hit me, so I hit back. Five minutes of blood, sweat and cheers. While it took little time to write, but arrangment-wise it was an adventure in rhythm patterns and melodies. To my surprise , lyrically it's sort of a sequel to "Unscrew Yourself". Topic: privacy.
Promo video

Happy Pills
Dancable and uplifting ditty, a spontanious funky guitar motive seems to make "fastwriting" almost a sport. Recorded on the spot. F-U-N. Topic: no pills needed.
Promo video

Chameleon Girlfriend
This last, unexpected smooth one is my favourite. Almost did it in a minute. Topic: inspired by a story from the NY times and a few chameleons in my social environment. O, how they adapt.
Hey, there's a little J.J.Cale influence there in the voice.

Speed Turtle
Funny breaks, funny harmonies. Topic: Wake up call. True story. Policeman stopped my car at 4 a.m., because I was driving....too slow, like a turtle. I was listening out loud to the latest mastering of these songs and I guess I forgot to drive fast! Ouch!

Blink
Energentic burst on the piano stirred my blood. Topic: Silicon Valley; what does it to people in general... and are we really human anyway anymore? It brought up a lot of energetic stuff musically and irony. You see, everything can be an inspiration. Listen to that baseline intertwined with that piano motive. Groove.

Roll Into A Ball
Seventies soulful jazzfeel on the Fender Rhodes. I love a shuffle halftime, hanging into a slow groove. Topic: esapism. Artist wants to hide, rolls into a ball. Ken ditches Barbie.

Convenient
Grew up in seventies where black influenced white music a lot: Blue-eyed Soul it was called. Crossover it became. Here's my smooth version of it.

Surprise!
Older song I couldn't finish lyrically at first. Surprise! Is it a surprise that Donald became the Prez?. Topic: trumped. "Look in the mirror Donny!" his wife says. No, it's not meant to be a political song. That temperamental latin flavor certainly helps to keep things on the edge.

Blame Me For The Fun
Slapstick time. Topic: I guess you can spot a bit of the goofy Laurel & Hardy theme (I've watched all those movies and sketches again in recent times) in here. Big fan. Laughs. LOL. Tribute.

Now We Are Talking
One of the first songs I wrote for this album. Give me a spanish guitar and the exotixc sounds of Brazil flow through my fingers. Relaxed, but a challenge to sing (bossa-nova) melodically.

Itch
This took a long time to finish, while it started out simple. A lot of ideas (breaks) in one song is a challenge. As I liked all the melodic contrasts and dynamics, it made its way into this album.

Sagitario
An older idea, which has grown on me since. In case anyone has enough of my voice (I'm not surprised), the last one is an instrumental, a melancholic and melodic one in latin fashion. It started out as a vocal piece, which I think still has potential too, so who knows...

That's my story so far...what's yours?
Keep on rocking!

Well that's it, I'm gonna vanish again...

Wunderschön!

Hai folks, It's a cold spring so far, but that doesn't bother me at all. As long as the sun comes up......and if there's any music that will cure your spring fatigue...
The new stuff has been listened to and played on various radio and to round it off it has been reviewed. I hope more will follow, but there so much going on in musicland, so I have to be happy by whatever that's been giving me. Feedback.
Well here are some really nice words again (his eight review of my albums) from Nathan Norgel, placed in this german, cultural online magazine Wasser-Prawda 

In german:
Wenn der Frühling kommt, dann erscheinen nicht nur die Schwalben aus dem Süden. Auch neue Musik des Niederländers Joost van Dinther aka Joos TVD darf man erwarten. Sein neues Album Sagitario erfüllt die Erwartungen aufs Schönste.
Auf den Listen der Orte, die besungen werden, taucht einer eigentlich zu selten auf. In "Private Scene" singt JoosTVD das Lob der Toilette. Denn das ist einer der wenigen Plätze, wo man noch wirklich allein sein kann. Auch Psychopharmaka, hektische Freundinnen, das Leben der Reichen in Hollowood oder andere Themen der Gegenwart liefern dem Niederländer Stoff für äußerst humorvolle oder sarkastische Lieder.
Musikalisch bietet Sagitario wieder die komplette Bandbreite zwischen Jazz, Funk, Rock, Cabaret und Nonsense. Wer JoosTVD bislang noch nicht kennen sollte: man kann ihn wirklich nicht klassifizieren. Was der Songwriter und Multiinstrumentalist Jahr für Jahr allein in seinem Studio zusammenrührt, ist eine Kur gegen jegliche schlechte Laune oder Frühjahrsmüdigkeit.

In english (not great these translations):
When spring comes, not only the swallows appear from the south. Also new music from the Dutch Joost van Dinther aka Joos TVD can be expected. His new album Sagitario fulfills the expectations most beautifully. On the lists of the places, which are sung, one appears actually too rarely. In 'Private Scene' JoosTVD sings the praise of the toilet. Because this is one of the few places where you can be really alone. Even psychopharmaceuticals, hectic friends, the lives of the rich in Hollowood, or other contemporary subjects provide the Dutch fabric for extremely humorous or sarcastic songs.
Musically, Sagitario again offers the complete range of jazz, funk, rock, cabaret and nonsense. If you do not know JoosTVD yet you can not really classify it. The fact that the songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, alone in his studio year after year, is a cure against any bad mood or spring fatigue.

Link up!

Busy working out details on Bandcamp and here's a soundcloud link with a download option of

Happy Pills. Keep a close watch on the release of a another video and the whole album. CU!

Always welcome: raving reviews

Yes, that's right. Fred Pach wrote this nice, dutch review of my latest songs on Muziekwereld. Glad he did. Let the summer begin!

English; "The album Open Up My Parachute of the Dutch multi-instrumentalist / singer-songwriter JoosTVD (aka Joost van Dinther, with musical nickname Joost The Vanished Dutchman)) is a notable release because on the one hand a very successful one-man project and by the varied musical character, a mix of r & B, funk, pop and Latin, often still covered with a jazzy twist.We can talk right here from a solo project, as Van Dinther is not only responsible for the lyrics and lyrics, recording, mixing and mastering, but also take all the vocals, guitar and bass, keyboards and percussion for his account in his own studio ! All this leads to a pleasant mix of twelve alternating frequently 'danceable' tracks. This jump for me personally the songs Dancing Dutchman, It's A Struggle Honey and Ha Veda Veda just slightly above the high average level of this album. Open Up My parachute was to my pleasant musical introduction to the work of Joost van Dinther and in my opinion is also a very successful musical project."

Dutch: "Het album Open Up My Parachute van de Nederlandse multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter JoosTVD (alias van Joost van Dinther, met als muzikale bijnaam Joost The Vanished Dutchman)) is een opvallende release vanwege enerzijds een zeer geslaagd eenmansproject en anderzijds door het afwisselend muzikale karakter, een mix van r&b, funk, pop en latin, veelal nog overgoten met een jazzy sausje. We kunnen hier met recht spreken van een soloproject, want Van Dinther is niet alleen verantwoordelijk voor de songteksten en lyrics, opnames, mixing en mastering, maar neemt tevens alle vocalen, gitaar- en baspartijen, keyboards en percussie voor zijn rekening in zijn eigen studio! Dit alles leidt tot een aangename mix van twaalf afwisselende veelal ‘dansbare’ tracks. Hierbij springen wat mij persoonlijk betreft de nummers Dancing Dutchman, It’s A Struggle Honey en Ha Veda Veda nog net iets meer uit boven het gemiddeld hoge niveau van dit album. Open Up My Parachute vormde voor mijn een aangename muzikale kennismaking met het werk van Joost van Dinther en wat mij betreft is dan ook sprake van een zeer geslaagd muzikaal project.."
On Musicmeter
 (original source: Muziekwereld)

Doing the dddutch ddddancing

For those who can remember those high platform soled shoes and wide open blouses (with those flowery chesthair growing out), cool fancy moves of John Travolta: just try to recall how you once moved to all of those infectious grooves. Chic? Ohio Players? Earth, Wind & Fire?
The next song also recalls a few favourite dancefloor fillers. Yes, you'll find out...but first dance.

How did I/ do you do that?

(lyrics/ music: JoosTVD)

Used to dig those disco parties
Freaking dancing on the floor
That backseat hanky panky
Sneaking out backdoors

Still get those chilling fevers
When I play back "Daddy Cool"
And all those desperate leavers
All lined up dancing fools

Now you're gonna show us why you love that dancing floor

You used to go down on it ("that's the way I liked it")
Kooling with the gang ("get down on it")
Well that's the way you liked it (aha aha)
Shake your booty now and then ("shake your body")

DD has been played on:
Croydon radio London  
Dancing Dutchman on Talentcast 

What Do Dutch Men Do?

Just a few google search results/ links about the dutch (men' s) behaviour

What is something that only Dutch people do? 
Have a cozy evening together on a comfortable IKEA couch watching the tele I guess. Well, almost. But I don't watch TV anymore.

Stuff Dutch People Like 
Traditions. Well, I have forgotten them

Why do so many Dutch people cycle? 
This is because of a vast network of cycle paths that are clearly marked, with smooth surfaces, separate signs and lights, and wide enough to allow side-by-side cycling and overtaking. Sure, but sometimes these paths are so crowded indeed, you don' t see the marks.

50 Things I hate about Dutch people  
50? Well nr 7 is right: They call themselves tolerant, but they are very narrow minded.  
Sorry for this.


10 ways to be polite to Dutch people 
Dutch men don’t hug. Well I do, but I avoid the annoying, meddling human beings.

How do Dutch people meet each other?!
The Dutch are quite direct (can be seen as a bit rude perhaps) but not straightforward at all.
Guess I' m rude sometimes. Although I' m a very private, introverted guy, I often try to break the ice, by teasing a stranger or joking around.

Well, I'm a dutch man, that' s why I ask. But I don' t sing in dutch, I just...can't. Yes I know, I' ve got a thick accent when I use my tongue for english, but what the heck.
Maybe there's a title in there for the new "Vanished Dutchman" album coming up in 2014.
When? I' ll let you know. The finishing of it all is the most intensive of the whole process.
I' ve got 14 songs for ya, chosen from about 30. I just need some smooth lyrics and a very thick accent for 7 of them to get there. Some tunes came very quick, so they motivated me the most to finish. Others need more time and space. But I won' t push.

So, what do dutch men do?