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UNDER THE RADAR REVIEWS

NOVEMBER 2006

Substantiated Sighting

Joe Giacoio 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Extraordinary guitar work combined with powerful insight on the human condition"---Rob Lincoln, cdreviewsonline.com

The first thing you notice when you see Joe Giacoio (pronounced "Gee ah coy oh") play live is not the depth of his lyrical vision or even his extraordinary and unique guitar style, but the fact that he has a quirky sense of humor. Even in his most serious songs, there is a strong hint of irony. The first time I saw him perform he had injured his arm and was performing without his guitar. He was playing as a finalist in the First Annual Plowshares Songwriting contest.  He sang an hysterical song about wearing women's clothing, and I remembered him for his humor. Only later did I understand that he was capable of so much more than just funny, quirky songs.

While his first CD, Superman's Midlife Crisis had a number of wonderful wacky songs such A Man's Hair is His Castle, Dr. Frankenstein's Dating Service and the aforementioned Women's Clothing along with some more serious fare, it is this second CD, I Sing The Body Acoustic where it becomes obvious that Giacoio is not only a fearless guitarist, playing live in the studio without any overdubs, but also a fearless songwriter.

The favorite songs are:

1) God Knows- Simply one of the most important songs written in the last few years by anyone dealing with the moral question of war.  It is so relevent today. It really makes one pause to think just what is going on in the world and what can we do about it. If any one song I have reveiwed thus far should be covered by a major artist, this is the one. I suggest Giacoio get this song into the hands of progressive performers. Personally I can hear the Dixie Chicks doing this one. God knows we need to hear a song like this on the radio. Hearing this song is worth the price of the CD itself.

2) Sticks and Stones- This song which leads off the CD is an absolute stunner. It combines everything Giacoio has to offer- wildly innovative guitar playing, humor and irony and a deadly serious subject- nuclear annihilation. Based on the famous quote by Albert Einstein, "World War Four will be fought with sticks and stones," it is a shocking yet thoughtful song.

3) Flesh and Blood- A very personal and touching song about growing up as an adopted child...enlightening and poignant.

4) The Dinosaur Ate Barbie- This is a cut taken from a live show. It is really funny. It also gives you a taste of how engaging Giacoio is in front of a live audience.

5) Incarcerated Woman- A fun and silly tune about a hard luck guy who falls in love with a woman in prison. Still can't get that chorus and acoustic lead guitar lick out of my head!

6) I Sing The Body Acoustic- Just a sample of what this guy can do with a guitar. However, half of the enjoyment in his guitar playing is visual. I think he actually strums with his left hand, fingers with his right, uses the body as a drum and...well it's so hard to describe, you really ought to just catch him live to understand it.

This CD is recorded live using a special technique that I have never heard of called the Jecklin Disc Recording Technique. Giacoio is an expert in the physiology of the human ear and he applies it to this recording. I found the recording to be excellent for a live recording, though not quite sounding like a normal studio recording. There is not even a hint of any effects, even reverb, so it is a completely naked sound. Fortunately the players are flawless. The back-up band on this CD are all first class (Lisa Gudkin, Sara Milonovich, Greg Anderson and Mark Conese) with Giacoio on acoustic guitar using really wierd guitar tunings to accompany his matter of fact lead vocals. They sound great live. I recommend this CD as well as checking out a live show, with or without the backing band. For more information on this artist, go to joegiacoio.com