What are people saying about Joel Hoekstra?
The Moon is Falling
"Fantastically inventive, very tasteful...an astonishingly fresh sounding album....interesting from the first to the last note. I just haven't heard anything like this until now." |
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"The Moon is Falling" shows you why he is highly sought after...I call it
pure genius when these three guys get together...This disc is just
phenomenal." |
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"Once again we see that not all "guitar albums" are the same. Joel Hoekstra has made an album that features the guitar as its principal voice, but shows that variation and imagination hold a far greater key to good music." |
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"a freewheeling rock-jazz-funk-classical ride that features the fiery axe slinger in power trio form with bassist Ric Fierabracci and the unstoppable Virgil Donati." |
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"Joel Hoekstra is one of those artists that provides absolute proof that the music industry has it's head up it's collective ass.....The Moon is Falling impressed me from the first riff to the last....a progressive instrumental rock showcase that shows an artist pushing boundaries, breaking rules." |
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"Originality is almost impossible to achieve in the context of a 21st century instrumental rock guitar CD. Joel Hoekstra has accomplished it with his latest CD, The Moon Is Falling." |
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"The range of styles that Hoekstra seamlessly integrates throughout the compositions is staggering."
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"The Moon Is Falling emanates from a single, focused voice that blasts listeners with its complexity, integrity and honesty." |
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"I give this CD a big thumbs up to guitar fans of all stripes....Hot shit. — Check it out." |
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"Everything about the cd's we loved, if there is any logix to these its abstract. If you don't have either of these recordings, get both and if you have the first, buy the second. They are sure to please." |
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"Every aspect of musical appreciation is redefined on The Moon Is Falling. This cd comes with my highest recommendation for fans of hard, complex, progressive, instrumental music." |
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"There can be no doubt about Joel's guitar skills. They are wide reaching and quite breathtaking. His class shines like a beacon, a truly great musician." |
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"Out of the slew of up and coming guitarists Joel Hoekstra represents the elite few that show promise capturing great tone, technical prowness, interesting songwriting, and most importantly, originality. He is definitely one to watch out for on the scene." |
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"'The Moon is Falling' shows a glimpse of Donati's scary talents and Hoekstra's fantastic songwriting. Fans should pick this one up for Donati's flawless drumming and Hoekstra's stellar guitar work." |
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"Donati's powerhouse drumming is a fine support and foil for Hoekstra's fluid virtuoso approach.— Recommended." |
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"The Moon Is Falling is a superbly recorded CD of imaginative, kinetic and
often daring guitar-driven sounds." |
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"...album is rather special in the way blues riffs melt into humorous citations..." |
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"It is probably the most innovative album I have ever heard. I listen to that album now in amazement. It is quite obvious that Joel has really stepped it up a notch." |
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"...these three guys can flat-out shred. Hoekstra, Donati and Fierabracci are great players who fit well together." |
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"...a sound which is unique and quite indefinable. And that's a good thing." |
Undefined
"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." |
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"'Undefined' is a positively breathtaking album. Yes, it's that good. Hoekstra probably won't be unknown for long." |
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"Hoekstra is an ideal guitar hero for 2001. Undefined showcases the creativity of a truly unique artist with impeccable talent." |
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"There are no weak songs. The only problem with this disc is that a follow-up will be hard to top. An extremely entertaining disc with dark melodies and monster musicians that combine on this powerhouse effort." |
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"Discs like this one make us still believe that guitar music is doing well. "Undefined" is the most interesting debut of recent years." |
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"This guy is the real deal...It's not just good music here, it's good entertainment!" |
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"The band is relentless and Hoekstra is a monster on the guitar." |
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"In addition to being an excellent musician, this guitarist is a superb writer and arranger." |
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"I can't say enough about the ability of the players on this cd. If I had one word to describe this cd it would be HOT (note all caps)!" |
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"Whoever has an open mind for melodic fusion rock, wanting to listen to outstanding musicians at work, you¥re at the right place." |
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"Joel Hoekstra, clearly is the leader of the musical portraits that are conceived on Undefined. Clearly Joel has had a wide range of influences to mix with his great ears, training, and keen sense of writing. This is a cd that gets better with every listen." |
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"Fans of high-end instrumental guitar music would do well to investigate both this CD and the man behind it. Wondering what the future of the electric guitar looks like? One listen to Undefined may provide a glimpse." |
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"Guitarist Joel Hoekstra has put together a strong debut fusion effort." |
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"This album is literally one of my favorite albums of all time. My favorite part is the guitar playing. It screams intensity." |
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"Joel Hoekstra's debut album shows what the guy can do:
play great guitar and write damn cool songs in every style you can think of.
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"...really shows off Hoekstra's impressive chops and his ability to tweak out the blues with some crazy futuristic-yet-retro tones" |
Interviews
Night Ranger
"Hoekstra, Gillis, and Blades were all over the stage like madmen, and from the first moments, it was like Hoekstra had been a part of Night Ranger for years. Hoekstra pays complete respect to the band's legacy and does total justice to all of the riffs and guitar duels (with Gillis) that Night Ranger fans expect and love. No doubt, Hoekstra has had a tough and delicate slot to fill, replacing a fan favorite in Jeff Watson, but he makes it look easy without coming off as cocky." |
Love, Janis
“the seven-piece band accompanying Richardson truly rocks! Lead guitarist, Joel Hoekstra, blasts the roof off the building...” |
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“She is supported by a first class band, especially Joel Hoekstra on lead guitar. His tone, phrasing, dynamic range, articulation and total feel for the music are completely mindblowing.” |
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“A first-rate band -- led by pyrotechnic lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra -- performs with the take-no-prisoners intensity of Big Brother at its best.” |
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“The whole group was tight and together, but Joel Hoekstra on lead guitar was especially electrifying...” |
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“Joel Hoekstra, the band leader is a fucking badass lead guitarist.” |
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“Band leader and lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra is a rock virtuoso.” |
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“...flawlessly pounded out by a live band led by lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra” |
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“The incredible seven-piece band is led by wild and combustible lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra, who rips up the
stage with Andrew's arrangements.” |
“The third star is the band....especially guitar-thrashing Joel Hoekstra.”
-Tony Brown, The Plain Dealer
“It's given vivid context by a band fronted by two extraordinary guitarists, Joel Hoekstra and Eric Massimino....conjuring a sheer rebellious joy in noise and music.”
-Rick Pender, Cincinnati City Beat
“What also works is the onstage band, led by lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra”
--Dana Norton, Leo Weekly
“On stage with them are a host of excellent musicians......the incredible guitar duo of Joel Hoekstra and Joshua Kessler both bring down the house with their effortless, enthusiastic and powerful solos.”
--Richard Gleaves, Aisle Say New York
“The musicians kick the songs out with such rambunctious spirit that there's great freshness to the event. Real sharp guitar work by Joel Hoekstra.”
--Michael Sommers, HOUSTON CHRONICLE
"The band is first rate and includes an incredible Joel Hoekstra on lead guitar."
--Annette Hinkle, The Sag Harbor Express
“Joel Hoekstra (Guitar) is hot. In one number he gets down on his knees in front of Janis Joplin and actually picks the strings with his teeth as she gyrates in his face. Amazing!”
-Lee Hartgrave, Buzzin
“Musically, this was no sanitized Broadway house band interpretation of the San Francisco sound. The seven-piece band, led by the fine young guitarist Joel Hoekstra, had been schooled in Joplin's psychedelic blues...” |
It Ain't Nothin But the Blues
"a fired up cast of singers and musicians....roaring guitar solos by Joel Hoekstra."
-Misha Berson, The Seattle Times
"Drop-dead singers, backed by a drop-dead band......The band was tight and featured amazing
guitar by Joel Hoekstra."
-Kathleen Allen, Arizona Daily Star
"Special kudos to the onstage band, especially guitar artist Joel Hoekstra."
-David Edward Hughes, talkinbroadway.com
"The singers are backed by a scalding hot band, so scalding that the audience remained
standing until the musicians the last note of exit music. In nearly 30 years of covering
Valley theater, that's the first time this critic has seen that happen."
-Kyle Lawson, The Arizona Republic
"This is not your prototypical backup band. Guitarist, Joel Hoekstra has the chops to cover any style."
-Frank Siraguso, Kansas City infoZine
Get Joel Hoekstra's Discs at these sites:
- Audiophile Imports
- CD Baby
- Guitar Nine Records
- Of Sound Mind
- Vorticity Music
- Abstract Logix
- ProgRock Records
- The Laser's edge
- Kinesis
- Wayside Music
- Loud Metal CD Shop
- Just for Kicks Music
