JOEL CAGE LAST HARD ROAD Internet Review by Sheri Stanley, Waynesville, NC

Beethoven once said that the guitar is a miniature orchestra. That's never more evident than when listening to Joel Cage. In Joel's hands, the guitar IS an orchestra; or a blues band;or another vocalist singing harmony, and a percussion section when needed.Except for one cover (a dynamite all-acoustic version of Eric Clapton's "Bell Bottom Blues"), this first release is a collection of original music entirely composed, performed, engineered and produced by Joel. The songs range from the bluesy, acoustic rock of "Stand and Fall" to the tender, "Uncomplicated Me" (a song about a simple man competing with modern technology). "New," is a melodic tune, cleverly flavored with a bit of dissonance, resulting in a unique and poignant love song. There is an unlisted bonus track on the disc; a more rocking reprise of a song titled, "The Meaning of Love." That's all I'm going to give away about the disc. Get your own copy (as well as a copy of "Nobody") and listen to this amazingly gifted musician. Put the disc on and let the music wash over you. It's spiritual!

-Sheri Stanley Posted to the Folk_Music List on August 31, 1998-