The Works!: overview

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zaterdag 16 december 2017

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

Get hooked! Reviews:

"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. Again Joostvd delivers a great quirky quality album." Peter Marinus, Bluestownmusic on 196Tree [2024]

"The new 19th album starts with the swinging 'Living Is Instant', a truth like a Dutch cow. The perfect opener for the funky 'Put Your Fade In It': a boost for those who don't like it anymore. And if that doesn't seem enough, then 'Hear The Sunshine' will encourage you to enjoy life. Even stronger than on his previous albums, Joost knows how to dress the sensitive string in his lyrics with uplifting vibes and grooves." Marino Serdons, Keys and Chords on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"The album has a great diversity of sounds. But the basis is a funky swinging touch with a basic singing beat. It's the sounds with which you can't sit on your lazy ass. It has a South American touch that touches on the African. By incorporating the horns into the songs, it gets a jazz moment. But above all are the catchy repetitive lyrics of, among other things, the title track and the opening track 'Living is Instant' with which you are sucked into the album." Roelof Noorda, De Muziekplank on Put Your fake In It [2023]

"He sings his songs like George Benson plays his notes. Careful even seems to me to be a bit like the Swiss electric formation Yello. the fact is that all 14 tracks on the album never even seem the same". Rootsville on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"It just makes me very happy every time! On every album, Joost turns out to be a musical do-it-yourselfer who knows how to ingeniously mix his influences into a style all his own. Agnes Magnus Populess is hilarious! A kind of Monty Python-like funk!". Peter Marinus, Bluestownmusic on Put Your Fake In It [2023]

"The Vanished Dutchman, shows again that we are dealing here with a very self -willed artist, who does not deny his influences but integrates them in his own unique style. In the opening number of His new album, City of the Pretty, sounds Joostvd like the Dutch Isaac Hayes, or as you want Barry White. Funky symphonic soul with a stubborn sniffing synthesizer". Peter Marinus, Bluestown on Sand In My Shoes [2022]

"Richly layered compositions that go completely against the grain in times of minimalism. There is always some cheerfulness in the songs (also a rarity). Simplicity and mainstream are (fortunately) not in his dictionary. Just like Frank Zappa back then, creativity knows no bounds". Marino Serdons, Keys & Chords on Suit Yourself [2021]

"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. JoosTVD presents an excellent album to fans of his music this year". Timpaan Muziek on Suit Yourself [2021]

"JoosTVD is a jack-of-all-trades without limits, who knows how to provoke variations of rhythms, in his tracks and in the tempo of the album, as if he could take possession of our bodies and souls, the time of the twelve tracks of "Suit Yourself", to guide us towards a funky trance. Impossible to refuse him that, it would be a shame to deprive ourselves". Homecooking Share on "Suit Yourself" [2021] https://fr.calameo.com/read/0064287340b02f77adcf0 /

"Joos manages to let you listen breathlessly from the beginning to the end of the album. The Buzz is an airy swinging song that is reminiscent of the Gruppo Sportivo side branch the Buddy Odor Stop but just as easily to the jazzy sounds of a Ben Sidran or Mose Allison. And Joos also rips through it with an electric guitar solo. The Cat Gang sweltering on with yet another “crooked” samba sounds in which Steely Dan is present this time. After this magnificent seventh album by JoosTVD look I'm already looking forward to part 18!" Peter Marinus, Bluestown Music on "Suit Yourself" [2021] https://www.bluestownmusic.nl/recensie-joostvd-suit-yourself/

"Right in the opening track The Heavy Donut Discount Blues you are already in the Caribbean, rocking your hip with a cocktail in your hand, musing about a heavy donut. Joos sounds like our own Kid Creole here. The cocktail atmosphere lingers in Flower Power Festival, a sultry heaving song with a great Kevin Ayers content, which is not surprising since Ayers also liked a “Caribbean Moon”.
In When U Go Rong, Joos moves to an intimate Spanish village, where a la Kevin Ayers / J.J. Cale release a loom number on us. A song that is so good that it makes you spin. The warming Do It Without Love reminds us of the early work of Todd Rundgren and Fay Lovsky with frolicking keyboard work. Smart then has a funky 80's wave sound a la Orange Juice with a wonderfully grooving funky bass and a suddenly emerging tear guitar."
Peter Marinus, Bluestown Music on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"Joost does it again ... putting a smile on my face. Cheerful, humming songs adorn the new album.
The playful funky tunes dispel any confinement thought. The songs occasionally ring a recognition melody (F. Zappa, B. Protheroe, K. Ayers), but an open door doesn't wait for you. From pop over funk to ballad: JoosTVD always captivates."
Marino Serdons, Keys & Chords on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"The danceable summery South American tinted candy The Heavy Donut Discount Blues, brings a carefree smile to your face. And this feeling he holds the whole plate, he does not deviate from that. At Smart, Joost manages to hit the effects pedal well, but otherwise the cool slack bass work of this originally drumming musician is striking. He makes the difference with the dreamy instrumental Midnight Cowgirl bathed in light fusion sounds and the ballad Cold surrounded by dim smoke fumes."
Leon Pouwels, Written In Music on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"The heavy donut discount blues kicks off the album. The humor takes a prominent place in 'I just wanna eat that thing,' sings JoosTVD. The sound is cheerful and clear. Flower Power Festival is melancholic and has a nice run in the bass. When you go wrong opens with a nice guitar sound. Smart has a nice guitar solo. The musical feeling and playing pleasure radiates between the notes. A special mention deserves the highlight on this album. The track Cold stands out between the songs. Subdued and sensitive, JoosTVD plays a singer-songwriter song."
Timpaan Muziek on Doesn't Ring A Bell [2020]

"All kinds of acts come sailing into your brain, such as Frank Zappa (the sometimes complex song structures and vocals), Gino Vanelli, Steely Dan, Robert Jan Stips and even Gruppo Sportivo in the fun Treason. All this named dropping does not stop the do-it-yourselfer from coming up with strong songs such as the funky opening trio Fly Talk, Stuck and Behave, the nicely lazy Say The Word and perhaps the strongest song, U Know That Now. Strong record of this music survivor."
Joop van Rossem, Heaven Musicmagazine on
The Fly On The Wall Routine [2019]

"JoosTVD has once again delivered a beautiful musical adventure book. An album that you constantly set up to make even more musical discoveries. I can't wait for his next musical journey of discovery already!"
Peter Marinus, Bluesmagazine on The Fly On The Wall Routine [2019]

"Again a great album from The Vanished Dutchman, JoosTVD. Beside his "classic" funky beats, you will find a few crazy cabaret tunes. How nice music can be!"
Marino Serdons, Keys And Chords on "The Fly On The Wall Routine" [2019]

"JoosTVD again delivers a technical tour de force. He once again plays all the instruments himself and convincingly puts down the complex musical melodies."
Timpaan Muziek on"The Fly On The wall Routine" [2019]

"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."
Marino Serdons, Keys And Chords on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"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. 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."
Peter Marinus, Blues Magazine on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"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."
Timpaan Muziek on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"Just Say Know is clearly a labor of love and that shows through the masterful songwriting, tight performance, and challenging, compelling song structures. This is a progressive project, after all, and the person behind it did one hell of a job!" Drooble on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"With his new album, JoosTVD builds on the road taken on its previous albums with 11 decent songs, on the cutting edge of funky pop, r & b, often topped with a jazzy sound. It continues to be incredibly cool that he can invent, develop and complete his music projects in his studio. He delivers craftsmanship of international allure for Dutch standards."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Just Say kNOw" [2018]

"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."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Sagitario" [2017]

"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."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Sagitario" [2017]

"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."
Fred Pach, Muziekwereld on "Open Up My Parachute" [2016]

"What does it need to get great pop songs? Of course you need melodies, that go straight to your head and a groove to make you dance on the spot. And every great pop song needs lyrics to make you laugh or cry. Yes, you can say: "Open Up My Parachute" very close to be a perfect pop album!"
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Open Up My Parachute" [2016]

"Some musicians are just too clever while humorous to in this oh so serious - to be successful - and so successful greedy world. I'm glad that someone like JoosTVD is not discouraged them and publish nevertheless an album full of musical great songs every year."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Lightning Dutchman" [2015]

"A great album musically and from her texts. And even if mimicking here the music to the subject in accordance with the style of the last decades, is that by no means that the pieces of Joost van Dinther would not extremely orginal."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "I Mimic Me" [2014]

"It could also look for Relatives of music as Steely Dan, the middle period of Stevie Wonder and others. But just were never so full of humor, sarcasm and self - irony. Who calls a title voluntarily 'Stupid song (s)', which then also completely silly comes as the world tour by Ralf Sögel written directly on the Casio and then pimped even with horns? This is simply zappaesk. And of course, great."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "The Ballooning Brouhaha" [2013]

"And since Frank Zappa is no longer available is musically sophisticated and at the same time humorous albums, one must here always attentive lookout. Joos The Vanished Dutchman can convince me in recent years repeatedly."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "Art Decoy The Bluebeard Boy" [2012]

"Let me tell you... music, is a very serious thing... right?... but, there's nothing in the book that says it can't be fun... or even funny. In fact, I believe that it even benefits a whole lot, when musicians are having fun while doing it. It breathes quality and know how all over. It's... an extended, but overall gratifying... funky based production, leaded by an excellent performer, with a voice full of personality and a full bodied singing, replete of irony and good spirit. The music is quite addictive and sounds generally super well."

"Orson Nietes is from front to back through all 24 tracks (and over 70 minutes) a great entertainment at the highest level and as I said.. Danceable from cover to cover without risks and side effects My recommendation is: Download and Share!"
Jamendo Reviews on "Orson Nietes" [2011]

"If people have immediately a smile on his face when music is playing, then that's a good sign. In Joos TVD the soon running shortly after the start of the album. Immediately came questions: Who's that? A Dutchman who builds all alone in the studio? Unbelievers glances."
Nathan Norgel, Wasser-Prawda on "The Vanished Dutchman" [2010]