‘The Music Starts To Play’ is the highly anticipated second release from UK-based roots band Hokie Joint. True to their beliefs, the band sidestep the “virtuoso” blues/rock idiom, and concentrate more on what matters to the both the band and the listener – the song.

The ten ‘self-penned’ tracks draw on many of the bands’ influences, ranging from Eastern European folk, to British Rhythm & Blues with a dash of Rock n Roll for good measure. The infectious title track sets the trend for the rest of the album, with its blend of popular music and traditional folk from Eastern Europe.

Followed by ‘Force of Habit’, with a Glimmer of a certain British band, shows Hokie Joint can rock and roll.

‘This Body Of Mine’ is JoJo’s death-bed ballad, haunted by Fergie’s relentless bass ‘pedalling’, Stephen’s delicate brush-work embellished by Joel and Giles’ haunting guitar and harmonica, respectively.

‘Aeroplane’ combines the twang of a Telecaster with the driving Southern boogie of the early 70s. Add to this JoJo’s relentless lyrical chants, and you’ll struggle to find yourself unable to dance.

In contrast to the previous track, ‘Birds In The Rafters’ shows a darker side to the band, written about JoJo’ nightmare 20-hour stay in an Indian railway station.

A return to an Eastern European folk flavour for the next track. ‘Jackie Boy’ which tells the tale of a mean old dog who wouldn’t let anyone share his bone. Starting slowly, the tempo soon gathers pace. Put on your dancin shoes for this one!

Rolling drums fade in and gradually, the rest of the band join in on the swinging jungle tempo that Stephen is putting down for the next song ‘Apologise’

Joel makes the art of inventing a new riff look easy as he brings in the groove for ‘the preaching ‘Watch What We Eat’ . A song that wouldn’t sound out of place as a theme song for a certain Pukka chef’s cookery program.

The penultimate ‘Remington’ has a bright, up beat, swinging feel to it. One gets the feeling the fictitious character Jojo has invented here ‘painting pretty pictures in his mind’ may in some way be related to certain illegal substances! Either that or Jojo is singing about his beard trimmer again!…

Going out with a Bang is one thing. Going out with a ‘Bang Bang’ is twice as impressive! A brooding seven minute tale of the life and death of an outlaw from the lips of Jojo and a chance for Joel and Giles to stretch out and show off their super soloing skills.

For UK bookings contact Movin Music
http://www.movinmusic.co.uk/
or Hokie joint hokiejoint@hotmail.co.uk

For European bookings contact swappingblues@yahoo.com