Search - Joe Goldmark :: Strong Like Bull But Sensitive Like Squirrel

Goldmark misses the mark

The Delite Rancher | Phoenix, Arizona | 06/15/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If you recently felt tremors in the earth, it is because deceased steel guitar legends like Jerry Byrd are now rolling in their graves. "Strong Like Bull but Sensitive Like Squirrel" is unusually uninspiring and unbelievably unoriginal. Both the jazzy intellectualism and Hawaiian slack-key influence of most instrumental steel guitar music has been replaced with the simple conventions of rock and pop. Granted, steel guitar music may not need twang to be good. Although if the twang is going to be surgically removed, there needs to be something of substance to fill the emptiness and Joe Goldmark leaves a soulless void. Goldmark's predictable songs are often punctuated with a Kenny G sounding saxophone or vocals that are simply embarrassing. The overall mood is light and happy as the tunes project a powerful optimism. If you enjoy light instrumental rock, you may dig this; if you're a steel guitar buff, run like hell!"

A fine album by an eclectic, eccentric steel guitar whiz

Joe Sixpack -- Slipcue.com | ...in Middle America | 04/28/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SF Bay Area pedal steel guitar luminary Joe Goldmark is known both for his command of the instrument's history and for the breadth of his interests. Here, as on his other albums, the inventiveness of his pedal steel work is matched by the funkiness of the backup band, making this a rather fun record to listen to. It's another mainly-instrumental outing that features Goldmark's dazzlingly ornate brand of twangy note-bending and steel wizardry. The poppy Mussel Shoals-styled R&B arrangements which he favors throughout might not be to everyone's taste, but Goldmark's fluidity and mastery of the instrument are pretty impressive. (BTW - anyone interested in the pedal steel are well-advised to check out Don't Quit Your Day Job Records and Goldmark's bio page on the Globe Records website, where love of the mutable note is taken to new heights.)"

Disappointing

Liberallez | 12/30/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I heard a piece of "These Arms of Mine" and LOVED it. Sadly, the rest of the album didn't live up. The label should read: "Steel Guitar Lite...Jazzmatazz...No real music added." The Delite Rancher's review says it well."