Here are some customer reviews of
Joe Perry
: Since hearing the first Joe lick on "Make It" way back when, I have listened closely to each Aerosmith release. This album sounds like you would expect a Joe solo album to sound -straight out rock guitar full of rock riffs. The album moves easily from one track to the next and is just the right length as far as time is concerned. Everything works from the "keep it simple" production to the tight construct of each song. The best decision made was to have Joe sing his songs. No one track dominates the listening experience. For 5.1 listeners I was disappointed with the quality of the surround. The first thing you will notice when you select the 5.1 audio is the drop in sound right after the first few notes are played on "Shakin' My Cage". The 5.1 audio sounds compressed and has very little separation. It's there, but very subtle. The standard stereo mix is superior in sound and will be how I listen to this release. The video portion of this DualDisc is a good introduction to the album and I recommend you watch the video first. Overall, a solid 3 star album that mature fans of Aerosmith will enjoy and one Joe should be proud of.
(TCG Review)
One of the reviews I read mentioned that Joe Perry is "no Steven Tyler," which is, unfortunately, a reminder that practically no one has any idea how much work is involved in creating something like this.
Joe Perry sang lead and background vocals, played all of the guitars, bass, keyboards, and even produced this album. Yet, everyone seems to be focusing, almost exclusively, on Joe's vocals. Get over it. It's an honest album! Something that's very hard to find these days.
I can't help but wonder what Steven Tyler would sound like if he had to sing, play lead and rhythm guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and produce his own solo album. Sure, Steven likes to tinker with different instruments, but let's face it; his album probably wouldn't be that good.
Having said that, I really like the fact that the album was released as a dual disc. The behind-the-scenes footage, and surround sound mix are definitely worth checking out.
Actually, I'm surprised Joe Perry decided to release the opening track, "Shakin My Cage," as the first single. "Vigilante Man" is, by far, the best performance on the album, and would be a welcome addition to an upcoming Aerosmith set list.
Of course, it would be even better to see Joe Perry tour in support of the album. I've always regretted not seeing the Project live. Maybe it's not too late to see Joe perform songs like "Let the Music Do the Talking," "Break Song," "East Coast, West Coast," and "South Station Blues."
"Joe Perry" is a must if you're an obsessive Aerosmith fan, or if you're at all familiar with The Joe Perry Project. Joe's an excellent guitarist, and he's playing extremely well on this album.
 This is an excellent Joe Perry CD. I think some Aerosmith fans may have a problem with it for one main reason: it's modern. As great a band as Aerosmith is, especially live, they haven't done anything modern in years. Some fans can't handle a modern sound. Joe shows in numerous places on the CD that he has been listening to the music of others over the past few years. His inspirations are exposed. It's the guitar we're actually listening to here; the vocals are average, that's all. This CD rocks!
Vocal range of one note??!! Whats Steven...2 or 3?? We are not talking Bessie Smith/Frank Sinatra/Ella or Pavoratti here. This is Rock and Roll. A great Rock and Roll cd at that. Bang some serious head with Buzz Buzz et all and I'll be right with you brother...but it's all been done before. As an old school cd presentation in 2005 this cd seriously kicks. You like rock and roll?? you will love this cd. Mike
'Joe Perry' is the first Perry solo project since his return to Aerosmith, which was quite a while ago now, the first without band bitterness as well. Maybe that has a lot to do with it because this CD/DVD is loaded with creativity, not to mention some of the greatest licks and strums rock'n'roll has heard in some time. You can tell Joe had some fun recording this, as he really gets into it, and it's all him. Yes, it's all Joe Perry. He proves that he really doesn't need anyone (except a drummer, of course) to help him do the talking, and he's definitely got the rock'n'rolls again.
His influences show, too, which is pretty cool. Don't mind if I point out a few.
Keep in mind it's a dual disc in one. There is no space wasted!
Here are some notes I took while listening:
The CD:
1) "Shakin' My Cage": What an opener! It's steamy, hard driving blues-rock. Contains great slide guitar in the intro, throughout the song as well. The midway lead is a real Perry guitar extravaganza, crisp and loud. What rattles your cage? If this is Joe being rattled, watch out!
2) "Hold On Me": It has that Keith Richards sound to it, especially the vocals. Rock, rock, rock, with drivin' rhythm guitar. Fuzz lead with nice tone. Some tasty Aerosmith-like riffs and fills. It rocks!
3) "Pray For Me": Joe goes India in the intro! Then, a nice Alice In Chains sound when the song gets going, even throughout the bridge changes. Nice acoustic guitar; the mid lead did it for me, too. Nice modern-indie sound, very different from anything Aerosmith. Other bands are the influence in this one. It not only shows, it shines nicely.
4) "Can't Compare": Joe punks it up a bit. Very melodic in the chorus, sounds a bit like STP or Velvet Revolver. A good display of just how well he can sing. Excellent guitar sounds, a real potpourri. Chops galore at the end.
5) "Lonely": The intro amp noise prepares you for what's coming. Total distortion leads into some hot, hot punk ... sounds like Iggy here ... I've got a real TV Eye on this one. At the chorus it becomes Scott Weiland again. Guitar galore!
6) "Crystal Ship": Just when you thought he had done it all! This one moves to a whole different level! It kind of hits you in the face at startup. The rhythmic flow is awesome. You await that chorus buildup, and it leaves you on the edge, but he does it right. His voice is just perfect, not the power of Morrison, (but then again, who is?) but good all the same. The flow is amazing.
7) "Talk Talkin'": More slide and overdubbed harmony vocals. Starts like "On The Road Again" or "Spirit In The Sky". The fuzz guitar is a little reminiscent of that as well, but the comparison stops there. The harmonies on this one are The Bonaires (Billie Paulette Perry, Roman Perry, Paul Caruso, and Jim Survis ... maybe he got a tad lonely).
8) "Push Comes To Shove": By this one you're calming down a bit, as his style is starting to sink in and settle. More guitar, guitar, guitar!
9) "Twilight": A very interesting, moody, and solid instrumental. About 4 guitars, bass, drums. Intense, scorching tradeoff lead riffs alongside a vibrant and chimey rhythm, excellent rhythmic flow. Just the right tinge of delay and compression. I don't know what he's actually using here, the Tele maybe, because it sounds Fender everywhere.
10) "Ten Years": Country-like bluesy flow, nice twangy and reverberated lead. Mellow cut. Again, Keith Richards-like in the voice, without the rasp. His voice comes alive in the chorus and bridge sections. Nice harmonies ... and they're all him! He never ceases to amaze.
11) "Vigilante Man": Although it's a Woody Guthrie song, this is in no way Woody Guthrie! Powerful intro. More incredible slide. A little George Thorogood-like.
12) "Dying To Be Free": His vocals never cease to amaze me (Didn't I say that already?). The harmony is better than I would ever have thought possible, to be honest, especially coming from someone who knows he's not really a singer.
13) "Mercy": Excellent signature Perry riffs at the opening. A good closer. Instrumental rock perfection, guitar, guitar, guitar! Slide!
The DVD:
It's Perry at home in the Boneyard, his recording studio in Massachusetts, and it's recorded in 5.1 dolby digital surround. What a place! It's nice to be Joe Perry! He talks about the CD, why he decided to do it, and how he went about it. You get a good view of all his gear, too. The CD audio is repearted on the DVD as well.
* * *
This CD/DVD is just what the doctor ordered. There's nothing technically nor theoretically outstanding about it; it's simply excellent rock'n'roll ... and once again: guitar, guitar, guitar. It's Joe Perry at his finest, one of the great connoisseurs and players of the modern and vintage styles of rock and blues guitar.
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