Marco's latest Studio album "Hidden Symphonies" is here.
Available at cdbaby.com, Itunes.com, Amazon.com
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| Click on picture to buy Marco's New Pop Album |
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| Download "Hidden Symphonies" here |
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| Marco and Rickenbacker goes electric on new album |
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"A stunning collage of words, music, background noises, orchestral effects, dream sequences, social observations, and tuneful melodies, blended together into a catchy pop CD."
Bloody Red Baron CD Reviews – Early October
Posted on 29 September 2011
BLOODY RED BARON CD REVIEWS
MARCO JOACHIM: Hidden Symphonies (TransUnited)
Beatles imitators are legion. But how many have the cojones to zero in on something like Sgt. Pepper? NY-based Marco Joachim and collaborator Jon Gordon have created an epic album of Beatles-based sunshine pop that succeeds as a major achievement in its own right. “And When the World…” opens with plangent Beatles chords and Joachim’s warm vocal wrapping itself around the lyric. Jon Gordon who does all the solo guitar work is a synthesis of Harrison and Lennon.
Violin and cello kick off “Things You Do” which reworks the message of “The Love You Make” into an admonition The song has a McCartney/Wings bounce with Gordon adding poignant, arcing guitar that ends with a proper Beatle chord. “Cellophane Sue” is obviously inspired by “Polythene Pam” but “Sue” is bluesier with swaggering horns and ELO chords– it could have come off A New World Record. “Penny Lane” horns cascade behind the chorus, then fall back into step behind Gordon’s piercing guitar solo.
“Nameless” is chamber rock played by violin and cello with a telepathic vibe that yields lines of heart-tugging beauty, no more so than when the cello dives and the violin soars in anticipation of the bridge. “Those Days” harks back to Revolver/Barry & the Remains era Brit pop with a melting garage rock chorus.
“Gramercy Park” is an ambitious pop suite and the centerpiece of the album beginning with a mini orchestral tune-up that fades behind Joachim singing in a McCartney-esque voice and playing piano. Gradually he layers in harmonies and Harry Nilsson gives way to pure McCartney in the piercing guitar and orchestral chorus. Sound effects, country barkers abruptly fall into a driving juke-joint beat as Joachim sings, “The last time I saw her she was standing in the silver sun.” There are so many Beatlesque elements in this piece it reveals new insights with every listen.
The album art by May Ann Licudine perfectly illustrates the music inside. Go on the internet and take a look (www.marcojoachim.com.) Reminds me of Jellyfish: Spilt Milk. And not just the graphics. A sure bet for Top Ten.
Five stars.
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| photo by Julie Mardin |
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| Click on Album to Buy "Songville"CD |
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| Photo by Julie Mardin Songville Sessions |
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Review For "Songville" released 2007
It's something magical to hear Marco Joachim's latest album. His last album "Changing Times" he revisited Dylan era folk with mostly acoustic arrangements. This time around Marco goes in a new direction with a very musical and whimsical album.Ear candy abounds from "Songville" with banjos and fiddles, slide and acoustic guitars. It's a return to "The Travelling Wilburys" style of music.
From the upbeat opening track mandolin riff to "There" you know you are in for a something special. The catchy and romantic and country fried "Through A Window", flows melodically along as Marco's observances on a train are like a singing novel, and then the rocking "Go Ahead" with "McCartney" style vocals and electric keyboards. The symphonic Beatlesque "Dream Away" with "Strawberry Fields Forever" melotron flutes has been used tastefully. There's also the classic guitar solo on this beautiful melodic song.Marco returns to an acoustic song about world disorder as the will to move on and grow through all the madness. Hope manifests itself in the form of "The Cuckoo" not to be confused with the old folk song. "Humpty Dumpty" is an Armageddon political rock out, and then the catchy "A love like This" which evokes the White Album's lighter side.
Next is a Rubber Soulish style acoustic song "Wizard's Ball" with great banjo by Pete Schwimmer. "Ragtop Willie And His Travellin' Show" about a medicine show in the old West tips it"s hat to "The Band'. The final "The Piper' is a song about today's climate of living with war."Songville" is a nice place to visit and possibly even stay. A mythical place between British pop, American acoustic, and country. Joachim's heartfelt vocals and Jon Gordon's musical contributions make this a must buy.Review by David Carten World Music International
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A Little History
Marco Joachim is one of the new generation folk singers. Often referred to as the "NY troubadour," he developed quite a cult status in the last 2 years. From the cobblestone streets and the coffee house music circuit based in Greenwich Village, he interjected rock and pop elements to acoustic folk, drawing new listeners to The Baggot Inn on Sullivan Street. He writes original songs and is well-versed in traditional folk songs and blues. Marco is from NYC and plays solo acoustic guitar (Gibson J-100, last of the flat tops) with his trusty harmonica.
Marco's first CD, "Changing Times," was produced by Joe Mardin (arranger and producer for Raul Midon, Jewel, Chaka Kahn, Bette Midler, etc.). The CD is comprised of original songs and new arrangements of folk songs and some blues. His original songs feature strong melodies and hooks with poetic and sometimes dreamy and poignant lyrics. His melodic singing voice can cut through the iciest heart, yet he also can belt out a powerful, soulful blues.
His influences are folk and blues, as well as Woody Guthrie, Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, The Beatles and Bob Dylan, as well as most 60s groups. His dynamic finger picking and strumming, and wide range as a singer, make his shows a special experience. His irreverent humor and sometimes-sardonic wit is often heard between songs. Ramblin’ Jack Elliot said of Marco "I like his singing and especially his guitar picking...Amazing."
He comes from a musical family. His cousins are Jack Elliot (Grammy Award Winner) and Sonny James (20 consecutive #1 Country hits) the Country singer.
He opened for B.B. King in Topeka, Kansas at the Topeka Performing Arts Center in front of two thousand plus and thrilled the audience. "New York singer-songwriter Marco Joachim then offered his jingle-jangle, Dylanesque brand of acoustic blues, accompanying himself with a mix of flat picking and finger-style guitar playing he calls "slickin" Joachim mixed in his own material, including a very folksy ballad "Chaplinesque" which won for him the Woody Guthrie Award for best song. Then it was almost time for the king of Blues..." by Bill Blankenship, The Topeka Capital Journal.
He won the Woody Guthrie Songwriter Award for his composition "Chaplinesque." Marco’s favorite Woody Guthrie quote is "I am out to sing the songs that make you take pride in yourself."
Marco performed at The Kennedy Center in Washington DC in October 2003. You can see his show in the archives at kennedycenter.com.
Catch a review of his new CD in Sing Out magazine, the premier folk magazine. He can be heard on numerous radio stations across America.
He was the lead singer and penned many of the songs for the pop rock group from the 90's "The Grasshoppers." Bandmates Jason Appleton , David Hamburger and Chris Wilford helped Marco shed his acoustic for some Rock n' Roll classics.
Marco is great at singing and playing. He has been called "a natural" for his inherent musical ability, and as a folksinger his tuneful singing, ingratiating personality and showmanship have earned him a legion of fans.
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