 Photos by Shannon Fontaine |
Joseph Wooten is the fourth brother of the quintet "The Wooten Brothers". He began playing organ at the age of six under the tutilage of his older brothers, so that he and his brothers Regi, Roy (Futureman), Rudy and Victor grew up playing music and opening for the likes of Curtis Mayfield, War and Stephanie Mills. Currently he tours with The Steve Miller Band, and his brother Victor Wooten.
"From the first time I heard Joseph sing I fell in love
with his voice, then I fell in love with his keyboard work, so much so that
I asked him to join me and become part of the Steve Miller Band. Since that
time I have sung and played thousands of songs with Joseph and we have
become brothers. Over the years Joseph has evolved and developed even more
as a song writer, record producer and featured vocalist of his own songs and
recordings. One listen and you can sense the talent, feel the love as you
become totally immersed in Joseph's heart and soul and beautiful music. This
is what the world needs! This recording is a beautiful heart felt
performance that will make you feel glad all over."
Steve Miller |
"Joseph Wooten has always been one of my favorite vocalist and song writers. Even when we were little kids, he already had the ability of putting his thoughts to music in a creative and unique way. With a style reminiscent of great song writers such as Stevie Wonder and Sly Stone, Hands Of Soul captures the almost lost art of great song writing and brings together an old school depth with a modern sound. Listen to it now."
Victor Wooten
"Many people reading this have already seen Mr. Joseph "Hands of Soul" Wooten perform live. We already know that he is the funkiest keyboard player this side of Herbie Hancock. As a part of the Wooten Brothers Band, Joseph Wooten truly lives up to his nickname "Hands of Soul" and as such he has been taking the citizens of the United States to FUNK SKOOL for many years in both small and large venues. We have been quite fortunate on Soul-Patrol.com to have documented the "wide world of funk music" according to the Wooten Brothers" at the following link:
Bob Davis
http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/wooten.htm
However for those of you who don't already know about Joseph Wooten, you now have a chance to experience him on his new album called appropriately enough "Hands of Soul". This is a great album from end to end and if you like "great black music from the ancient to the future", this album is a must have. In fact it's the type of album that if you are a lover of "great black music from the ancient to the future", you will be anxious to turn your friends on to right after your initial listen.
So what does it sound like????
How about this???
Billy Preston, Graham Central Station, Zapp, Isley Brothers, Gil Scott-Heron (only funkier?)
This album's got it all...Raw Funk, Autobiographical Slow Jams, CTI Type Jazz, Profound Lyrics, Spoken Word, Historical Perspective, etc.
It should have a sticker attached to it that says: "For True Music Lovers Only".
"Hands of Stone" is a perfectly executed example of "Black American Standard Music".
And that is to say that this album is going to sound as great 20 years from now, as it does today.
- If I were a DJ at a "Classic Soul" club and played it, the crowd would dig it.
- If I were a DJ at a "Jazz" club and played it, the crowd would dig it.
- If I were a DJ at a "Neo Soul" club and played it, the crowd would dig it.
- If I were a DJ at a "Funk" club and played it, the crowd would dig it.
However....
PARENTAL ADVISORY: If you are a person who digs the music of today's commercial scene you will not like this album.
Just pretend that you never saw this review.
Completely forget that you ever heard about the album:
Joseph Wooten - "Hands of Soul"
DON'T GO TO:
www.handsofsoul.com
Please save yourself the time and aggravation.
When you GROW UP in about 5 years...
You can "discover" this album.
You will be a much happier person that way...
Soul-Patrol.com