JOANIE LEEDS: Soul from my Footsteps

Joanie Leeds

Soul from my Footsteps

© 2003 Joanie Leeds (783707845128)

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Brand NEW CD #2, Singer/Songwriter Joanie Leeds, uses her powerful lyrics and addicting Pop/Folk/Rock style to tell a story that captures a full spectrum of emotion.

tracks

1 Breathe
2 Bad Girl
3 Silent
4 You Are
5 Karma
6 Streets on Fire
7 The Light
8 The Simplest Reason
9 Release Me

notes

Soul From My Footsteps

With its high-octane rhythm, fiery guitar and undeniable hook, Joanie Leeds' "Bad Girl" is the exclamation point on an album that makes her strongest statement yet. In one 3-and-a-half-minute blast, Leeds displays her lyrical wit, her gift for memorable songcraft, and her ability to write compelling music in a diverse range of styles. Sure, it's tongue-in-cheek, satirizing the mock rebellion of manufactured teen-pop divas, but Leeds' bold and boisterous "Bad Girl" is an emblem of the confidence and promise that permeates her 2nd album, SOUL FROM MY FOOTSTEPS, and the signal of an exceptional rising talent.

Adding "Bad Girl"-style power pop, along with blues and funk to her repertoire, SOUL FROM MY FOOTSTEPS builds on the gentle folk-rock of Joanie's previous album without sacrificing any of its sensitivity and warmth. After years of invaluable experience on the New York City circuit, Joanie has emerged with a fully fleshed-out sound and a winning sense of artistic direction and creative independence that separates her from her peers.

In the years since the release of her first full record of original songs, 2000's MY JOB APPLICATION KNOWS MORE ABOUT ME THAN YOU DO, the Miami-born Leeds has become a fixture in New York City's musical community. Honing her sound and her craft, Joanie made a second home on the stages of legendary local clubs like the Bitter End and the Living Room, and was invited to participate in prestigious seminars and acoustic roundtable performances organized by BMI.

By 2003, it was clear that the quality and quantity of Joanie's new material demanded a return to the studio. With producer/engineer Richard Oliver Furch (Fountains of Wayne, Angie Stone, Edwin McCain), producer/drummer Chris Benelli, guitarist Craig Benelli and bassist Tony Tino, Leeds created a compelling and engaging record that signals both how far she's come and how far she promises to go.

From the defiant "Bad Girl" and "Release Me" to the joyous love songs "Silent" and "You Are," Leeds' charisma and wit shine through crisp pop/rock and stunning balladry. Her guitar and piano provide adroit counterpoint to her powerful voice, as layers of vocal harmony showcase her evocative range. Leeds accomplishes a rare feat, delivering equally powerful music across a range of styles and dynamics. She's every bit as effective on the sparse, tender "Karma" as she is on the belt-it-to-the-rafters "Streets on Fire" and the Nashville-inflected "The Light."

The record builds on a musical career that began when Leeds was just 15. Performing and acting throughout her teens, Joanie discovered her songwriting muse while a drama major at Syracuse University. A fixture in the city's burgeoning coffeehouse circuit, Leeds recorded her first full record of original songs, MY JOB APPLICATION KNOWS MORE ABOUT ME THAN YOU DO, in Syracuse in 2000.

MY JOB APPLICATION was a creative realization, drawing on jazz, soul, rock and folk influences to deal with issues both personal and political. Her unique powerful voice, adept piano and guitar playing, innate songwriting sense and touching lyrics about love and relationships of all kinds resonated in the same scene that helped bring performers like Ani DiFranco, Jonatha Brooke, and Dar Williams to the fore. Her song "You Don't Know What Makes Me Smile" began getting local radio airplay and a number of MY JOB APPLICATION tracks were featured on MTV's "Undressed."

Building on her loyal Syracuse following, Leeds returned home to Miami and became a regular in Coconut Grove's The Hungry Sailor, the famous Tobacco Road and Luna Star Café.

It wasn't long before the big city called her and her craft. Leeds moved to New York City and took the stage at the Bitter End, a New York institution that years before had launched the careers of many of her Greenwich Village folk heroes: Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Etta James.

Joanie and her band remain a fixture at the Bitter End, in addition to her more intimate acoustic appearances at clubs and coffee houses all over the city. With her latest, SOUL FROM MY FOOTSTEPS, Joanie continues to unearth new directions and new ways to connect with the fans who have been drawn in by her sensitivity, honesty, genuine musicianship and irresistible songwriting.



www.joanieleeds.com joanieleeds@aol.com

reviews

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  • great talent!
    author: Samantha T.

    Joanie is extremely talented, and her songs are so easy to relate to...I find myself singing them all the time!

  • author: Deborah Grayson

    Joanie has a new fan! This is a rare, accomplished talent who can sing, play and write. A triple-header! I especially loved the various tempos, lyrics and toe-tapping, soul moving rhythms. The tunes will have you humming and moving immediately. This artist has it all. Listeners will be "wowed" in an instant.

  • My CD player is stuck on this CD!
    author: Mitch Silverman

    My CD player is stuck on Soul From My Footsteps. The masterly melodies and haunting lyrics of Ms. Leeds' album are as captivating as her voice, raw and smooth by turns, with a beautiful range. She reminds me quite a bit of Ani Difranco (of whom I'm a big fan), both musically and in the sound of her voice. So far, Soul From My Footsteps is my best album purchase of 2005. Her first album is on my list to buy, and I will buy her *next* album as soon as it comes out.

  • Fantastic sophomore release!
    author: Ryan

    I've thought about how to write a review for Joanie Leeds' second release for a while now. I bought her freshman release on a whim after hearing a couple MP3s. Well, I might as well be honest ... I was a bit underwhelmed. So why did I buy her next release? Curiosity. I saw potential in many of the songs on that first CD. WOW! I am so glad I gave Joanie a second look. This is a truly professional and polished album. Nothing amateur here at all. And better yet, it's great to listen to! This girl has talent. She has a great voice and fabulous songwriting talent. I am looking forward to her coming to my area on tour as well as eagerly awaiting her next CD.

  • I am seriously addicted to this CD!!!!
    author: Lena Feldman

    Thrilled that I stumbled on this one. Entire CD is incredible artistry, and I can't remember the last time I learned every word to every song on a CD. I have a lot more fun driving when I'm listening to this CD! EXCELLENT love songs with a beat that aren't sappy? Almost unheard of. Well, here they are. Emotion that really touches you.

  • I am seriously addicted to this CD!!!!
    author: Lena Feldman

    Thrilled that I stumbled on this one. Entire CD is incredible artistry, and I can't remember the last time I learned every word to every song on a CD. I have a lot more fun driving when I'm listening to this CD! EXCELLENT love songs with a beat that aren't sappy? Almost unheard of. Well, here they are. Emotion that really touches you.

  • Another great work Joanie!! Keep it up!
    author: Gina :)

    This record was even better than the last one which I thought was great. Lots of soul, emotion, insight, and great tunes too!

  • Her gig rocked.
    author: Charlie Awner

    Joanie and her band were awesome at The Bitter End. It was really a full house. I like all of her different styles-I cannot pick a favorite.

  • Hooked
    author: Silas Greenback

    Joanie's way with a turn of phrase and a winning melody has only gotten more potent on her 2nd album. And, she's letting her hair down and straight-up ROCKING on a couple tracks. You'll be singing these hooks in the shower after one listen. Do yourself a favor and click "buy" already!!!

  • This is her best cd yet!!
    author: Monica

    Joanie has really fine tuned her sound with this album. The backup band has really added depth to her songs without losing that great acustic feel that originally drew me in. I recomend it highly!!!

  • Great sound-it is in my car CD player
    author: Charlie Awner

    This girl knows how to write music. There is a song for everyone on this CD and she has an amazing voice. Great dancing and love songs. I am looking forward to seeing her perform.

  • Second and not first best
    author: Pieter from Holland

    a time a go i bought Joanie's first CD and liked it very much, but to be honest this second is even better. No question about this girl. Great song, great performance and also nice looks.

  • heard one song, was awesome!
    author: Gary Goldberg

    only got to hear one song till I get the CD, but loved it!!

  • Fantastic lyrics - my favorite: "You Are" - vocals pleasing to ear
    author: Sylvia Nusinov

    Lyrics are well written and fine tuned. Background accompaniment and vocal range changes pleasing to the ear. Love songs fill the need for softness as opposed to more raucus "music" of today.

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