ALBUM:
Hopper
TAYLOR USED:
312ce
512ce
SONG CLIPS:
China Basin Digs
28k | 56K
Still Alive
28k | 56K
CONTACT INFO:
Reluctant Angel Records:
P.O. Box 357
Bonsall, CA 92003
Tel:
760-749-8011
Fax:
760-749-8011
E-mail:
jrafael @flash .net
Web:
www. joel rafael .com
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The southern-California-based Joel Rafael Band extends the authentic acoustic folk essence of Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan with a socially conscious, vagabond spirit
that doubles as a metaphor for the journey through life. The group's gorgeous folk finds a deep kinship with nature, in friends and family, and at times, in the
strength of one's inner voice. On their latest effort, Hopper, Rafael sings about learning to live and love, and discovering one's soul, dressing life lessons in
poignant folk narratives that blend deep introspection with Guthrie's compassionate affinity for the disaffected and downtrodden, like the homeless refugees forced
to flee their campsite by the police in Rafael's "China Basin Digs".
Rafael's musical elements create a rich tapestry of emotion: the weathered warmth of Rafael's vocals has a ragged lilt, reminiscent of Dylan and Guthrie, but more
haunting and mellifluous. Jamaica Rafael's tender violin can break your heart twice in the same song as it slowdances with Carl Johnson's acoustic leads in the ballads.
Jeff Berkley's ethno-percussion on the djembe is spare and tasteful, feels rooted in the earth, and never overrides the resonant string tones. And everyone in the
band sings, giving the songs a sweet vocal unity.
Rafael twice was a finalist in the Kerrville Folk Festival songwriting contest before taking the prize in 1995, joining an elite group that includes Lyle Lovett,
Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, and Mary Chapin-Carpenter. He has also performed at Taylor's Folk Alliance showcase, and in our NAMM show booth.
"Joel Rafael and his band did exactly what I knew they would do in their debut performance at Kerrville...they stunned the audience!"
— Rod Kennedy, Kerrville Folk Festival
"A poetic, potent songwriter, guitarist, and singer, Rafael is beginning to get national acclaim after two decades of plying his trade out West."
— Tom Surowicz, Twin Cities Reader, Minneapolis / St. Paul
"From coffeehouse to coffeehouse, artists are discovering the true power of music - songwriting - and not many do it better than Joel Rafael."
— J.D. Blake, SLAMM Magazine
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