Log in to add to your wishlist
Guitar driven instrumental music that is experimental, but accessible.
Genre:
Rock: Instrumental Rock
Release Date:
2000
Albums you will love
Joel Hoekstra
The Moon is Falling
Jazz: Jazz Fusion
Joel Hoekstra
13 Acoustic Songs
Pop: Delicate
undefined
© Copyright-Joel Hoekstra
(702677033724)
Record Label: Joel Hoekstra
No items available in your wishlist
This CD of guitar driven, primarily instrumental music explores fresh approaches to funk and rock, as well as humorous takes on country, swing and blues. It has been described as experimental, but accessible.
The disc features world class, ground breaking drumming from virtuoso Virgil Donati (Planet X, Steve Vai) and unbelievable bass playing provided by Ric Fierabracci (Chick Corea, Andy Summers). There's also guest appearances from Howard Levy (Bela Fleck) and Cathy Richardson.
Co-produced and mixed by T.J. Helmerich, this disc is bound to satisfy fans of quality instrumental music who are in search of something new.
New York guitarist Joel Hoekstra is a musician on the rise as both a consummate sideman and an innovative solo artist. Joel's cd's 'undefined' and 'The Moon is Falling' have found a strong cult following and critical acclaim. Recently, he completed his third cd '13 acoustic songs' and is currently performing with Night Ranger and rocking NYC in the hit show 'Rock of Ages'.
Joel has worked on/with the following....
ARTISTS/MUSICANS (LIVE, RECORDING & WRITING):
Night Ranger
Scrap Metal
The Turtles
Big Brother and the Holding Company
Eric Martin (Mr Big)
Alan Parsons
Martha Davis (The Motels)
Mickey Thomas (Starship)
Rik Emmett (Triumph)
John Waite
Emily Saliers (Indigo Girls)
Beth Hart
Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple)
Donnie & Johnny Van Zant
Don Barnes (38 Special)
Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon)
Gunnar and Matthew Nelson (Nelson)
Jimi Jamison (Survivor)
Dave Bickler (Survivor)
Mark Slaughter (Slaughter)
Hugh Jackman
Chan Marshall (Kat Power)
Constantine Maroulis (American Idol)
Henry Paul (The Outlaws, Blackhawk)
Ray Parker Jr.
Sandra Bernhard Jim Peterik (Ides of March, Survivor)
Tom Keifer (Cinderella)
Kip Winger
THEATRE:
Rock of Ages (off-Broadway)
Love, Janis (New York, San Francisco, Phoenix, Cleveland, Louisville, Cincinnati, Tucson, Sag Harbor)
The Boy From Oz (Broadway)
Tarzan (Broadway)
La Cage Aux Folles (Broadway)
It Ain't Nothin But the Blues (Tucson, Phoenix, Kansas City, Seattle, Chicago*)
A Chorus Line (Broadway Cast Recording 2006)
Lovely Day (off-Broadway)
* nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for 'Best Musical Direction'
TV:
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Last Call with Carson Daly
The Sandra Bernhard Experience (A&E)
20/20 (ABC)
Nick Cannon (Nickolodeon)
FOX Morning news (New York, Chicago, Tucson, Kansas City, Atlanta, Louisville, Cincinnati)
WGN Morning News (Chicago)
ABC's View From the Bay (San Francisco)
The Loose Leaf Report (LA)
WB Morning News (New York)
The New York Today Show
ABC's New Years Eve Countdown (Chicago)
NBC "Good Company" (Cleveland)
UPN: Live at the Taste (Chicago)
I-90 North (Chicago)
NBC Morning News (Louisville)
Barry Z Show (New York)
Guitar Talk (Chicago)
NBC's 'The Bay Area Today' (San Francisco)
NBC's 'Arizona Midday'
FILM:
Resurrection Mary
The Last Winter
OTHER:
Played the national anthem for a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden
ENDORSEMENTS:
Suhr amps & guitars
Nady wireless systems
Ernie Ball strings
Big Bends Nut Sauce
T. Miranda Pedals
Dimarzio pick-ups
Read more...
Please
log in to review the album.
Undefined
author: LoneStar
I do believe Joel has mastered the technique of his musical ability in this CD. "Plot In Motion" is like being in a movie. I felt like I was there moving a long with him as he performed. I just think Joel is a brilliant guitarist. He truly moves me.
LoneStar
Read more...
Fantastic
author: Jason Smith
Amazing guitar work, and of course Virgil is unreal.
Fantastic grooves and some incredible picking by Joel!
Read more...
Hoekstra is bound to become a major name in the field of guitar oriented instrum
author: Christopher Thelen
Chicago guitarist Joel Hoekstra obviously has studied the life and works of Jeff Beck. Like the legendary British guitarist, Hoekstra (who may be best known as a member of the Cathy Richardson Band), Hoekstra draws upon a number of influences on his mostly-instrumental solo debut Undefined. The main difference between the two is simple: Hoekstra is able to keep things interesting throughout the entire album.
Hoekstra draws upon a wide range of influences, from jazz-influenced writing (hence the comparisons to Beck) to blues riffing, from all-out funk-based rock to tongue-in-cheek, undefinable styles. From anyone else, this might be a task that would be impossible to accomplish. Where Hoekstra succeeds is that he has the talent to put behind the musical claims - and he brings along a crack team of musicians to help him out.
Could Hoekstra have pulled off this magic without bassist Ric Fierabracci and drummer Virgil Donati? Maybe - but it sure wouldn't have been the same. Think of what Joe Satriani might have sounded like without the talents of Stu Hamm providing an anchor on bass when Satch was making a name for himself. It could have been accomplished, but it just wouldn't have been the same. Just as Hoekstra's guitar talent is the main focus of Undefined, the interplay between all three core musicians is essential to this project's success.
There's the key word: success. It more than adequately fits the bill for this. Tracks like "Electric Fields," "Homework," "Gorilla Man 2000" and "Kill Swing" come alive with a level of electricity I haven't heard on a primarily instrumental album in some time. Admittedly, the band does bring in several more musicians to share in the magic, but it never feels like there are too many cooks spoiling this musical gumbo being created.
Even a track like "Space Cowboy," which has nothing to do with Steve Miller's original version, succeeds - even though it's meant to be a form of comic relief to counter-act the serious musicianship that precceeded it. The carnival barker-style vocals (which I assume are Hoekstra's - no credit is given), the country-on-speed musical style - even the sounds of chickens during one of the bridges - all make this song succeed on more than the most visible level.
Richardson even makes a guest appearance as the only credited vocalist, making her presence known on the closing track "Spank Me". Granted, I liked the fact that the music was able to speak for itself throughout the bulk of this disc. But Richardson does add something special to this track, and it proves to be a lot of fun - as well as being the ideal way to bring this project to a close.
Hoekstra proves on Undefined that he could well be one of the most underrated guitarists of this day and age, without relying on flash and speed to make his voice heard. Each phrase he wrings out of his guitar speaks volumes for his talents, without ever making his stay feel too long. Hoekstra is bound to become a major name in the field of guitar-oriented instrumental music. Let him take his place among the greats; Undefined proves he's earned that right.
RATING: A
For more information or to order this disc, please visit Joel's page on the Cathy Richardson Band Web site.
Read more...
Guitarist Joel Hoekstra has put together a strong dbut fusion effort.
author: Dave Dorkin
Guitarist Joel Hoekstra has put together a strong
debut fusion effort. Undefined features the talents
of Virgil Donati on drums and Ric Fierabracci on bass
for some well-thought out compositions and fine solo
work that displays Hoekstra's impressive technique
that will appeal to fans of Steve Vai, Brett Garsed
and T.J. Helmerich among others. - Dave Dorkin
Read more...