American singer-songwriter Joe Iadanza released his debut in 2008: ten self-penned songs on his then unnoticed debut CD.
In them Iadanza accurately combines folk with some rootsy and jazzy elements. In a mix of up-tempo songs and ballads this traveling salesman believes in the power of lyrics and in that of love.
In the thematic opener he sings of himself as a wandering folkie. Born into a family of immigrants and union members he is serves the tradition of comfort and justice, despite the disappointment of his family about that.
Iadanza‘s nasal tenor shows some resemblance with James Taylor’s voice, something that he seems to allude to in Your Song. From a musical angle he is more traditional, because with Carolin Pook’s fiddle as most important solo instrument he does not often cross the borders of folk musically. Only now and again David Mowry’s dobro, horns or the rootsy, gospel-like background vocals of trio Gathering Time break that sound.
Nevertheless, Iadanza makes his songs personal in a self-assured way because of his lyrics. From them a man emerges that is determined to make no concessions. He has clearly decided to chase his dreams and make them come true, both musically and personally.
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On 1 April Iadanza’s second CD was released: All In Good Time.