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Written by John Muller - Blue Notes and Conversations - raymondmuller567.wixsite.com/blue-notes-and-con-1

 

Noe (no-ay) Socha - SIMPLEBLUESBOY - noemusic.net

Co-Produced by - Tony Braunagel and JP Berreondo / Mastered By - Gavin Lurssen

 

Featuring - Jon Cleary - 'Nawlin's own , Multi-instrumentalist , Singer and Songwriter / Paul Brown - Smooth Jazz Guitarist / Adam Levy-Well-regarded guitar skills

 

 

 

       One of the great surprises at the 2024 South Orange International Blues Fest:Winter Edition , held in January,2024,South Orange Performing Arts Center, here in New Jersey, was the guest appearance of Noe Socha .With all love and respect to Billy Hector and Popa Chubby , whom I have known for many years, and Eliza Neals who is an extraordinary talent , taking nothing away from the incredible Blues People , nor will I diminish the multi-talents of Ro Stafa, but on that wintry stage was a welcome surprise that had the audience mesmerized , transfixed , and fascinated - a blind , young musician , tearing into his harmonica while captivating everyone with his dazzling fret work - Noe Socha.  Sitting on the other side of the stage , watching Noe perform , taking my photos from the side and front of the stage that night , I  was completely captivated and impressed by this remarkably multi-talented musician . Noe held the sold-out blues festival crowd in the palm of his hand as he performed his unique brand of jazz , blues , rock , funk , and roots . Not only was I floored by his brilliant harp work but his fingers had minds of their own as he worked the fret board that night . 

           SIMPLEBLUESBOY - Noe's(No-ay) latest release features an all-star mix of seasoned blues,jazz,and rock musicians performing an eclectic mix of jazz , blues , rock ,  pop that is delivered honestly , without gimmicks , getting down to business in the purest way possible . This is full band - full take - no editing . The only overdubs to be found here are support musicians . Now living in Brooklyn , originally from the small town of Carpi,Italy, Noes influences can be clearly heard here , from folk artists such as Dylan and Neil Young , to Delta blues musicians such as Missippi John Hurt, Muddy Waters, and Lightnin' Hopkins , spiced up with a bit of Jimi's essence , creating a style that uniquely Noes own . He truly has no equals , makes music on his own terms , and is a brilliant kaleidoscope within the blues world , and music scene in general. The 13 tracks on "SIMPLEBLUESBOY" are a soundtrack to the anthill that is New York City , "Gotham " , and its' 5 boroughs . Tracks like "4th Ave. Party ( Featuring Jon Cleary and Lenny Castro) ; "NYC Boogie "(featuring Jay Bellerose) ; "2 Train Blues"(featuring Adam Levy) ; and "Jules Bistro" ( a very cool casual French spot on St. Marks Place in Greenwich Village that offered free jazz nightly , but closed , unable to survive the pandemic ; a track featuring Jay Bellerose) all showcase the landscape , the humanity , the microcosm that is New York City and the boroughs surrounding it .This is a special project reflecting the wide range of emotions and experiences that enliven the everyday lives of all of us , from the bustling hamlets , large cities , and small towns , a shared musical experience that we can all enjoy.

       Special thanks to Noe ( No-ay) for sending me some amazing audio files with which he described some of the tracks and the stories behind them . I am grateful for his time and for his friendship .  Let's take a walk together....

         * "Walking Stick Blues" - "Is an original I wrote and literally it's because everybody calls the cane "walking stick"..everybody calls it "walking stick" so I thought that would be a cool name for a song."

     * "4th Ave Party" - "Originally I wrote it when I was on tour with Vanessa Collier and I was thinking of saxophone and guitar and harmonica together but it just ended up being harmonica and guitar with John Cleary doing his really cool thing."

     * "Funky Elephant" was a restaurant on Staten Island that closed , and I'd never been to but I liked the name . So when I wrote the song I decided to call it "Funky Elephant."

     * "Sweetness" - "Is one of the first songs I ever wrote but I wasn't going to actually put it up there. So when David Levita showed up I was like, "Ah, this is so beautiful" so I decided to , ah , put it up on the record."

    * "Prime Rib" -  "I wrote this quite a long time ago as well. And,you know , it's a kind of bluesy thing I came up with. I was hanging out with my friend....we were at a gig and I was like ,"Ah , what should I call it?" And he said,"Prime Rib", So I decided to go with that."

     With songs covered from Bill Withers ("Grandma's Hands") ; Cold Play's "Yellow" ; and "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room , John Mayer , the wide mix is certainly impressive and refreshingly eclectic . 

         Overall "SIMPLEBLUESBOY" is a gift , the kind of music release that makes you want more, and you feel disappointed once the entire record is over. I have been playing this release over and over in my car - yes, I DO have a CD player in my Subaru - and finding new things to enjoy , and admire , at every spin . The harp work is amazing , the guitar work is wonderfully inspired, and you can feel the joy, and the wonderful time that everyone had putting this project together. Outstanding gathering of musicians complement Noe's unique style of playing, putting new spins on classic material , while giving the listener exciting , passionate , and soul stirring musical arrangements on many interesting originals . Outstanding from start to finish!

 

Outstanding team of musicians include.....

     Tony Braunagel - Drums ; Sean Hurley - Bass ; Jay Bellerose , Drums ; David Levita - Guitar ; Lenny Castro , Percussive Groove Master.

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