Gary O’Dea / GOJO’ MUSIC - LIVE Reviews and Quotes
Gary O’Dea / GOJO’ MUSIC… veteran singer-songwriter from The Peoples Republic of Tipton …blending together elements of classic chilled out blues, country, funk n’ soul grooves, with the passion / attitude of old school punk / rock n’ roll, to produce a rocking, groovin’ organic mix of rhythms to soothe your soul in these troubled times.
‘a cracking songwriter and singer.’ Martin Stephenson www.myspace.com/martinstephenson
“like your best mate with added talent.“ Janice Long – BBC Radio WM
‘inspiring acoustic funky singer – songwriter.’ Birmingham Arts Festival Sept 2008 http://www.artsfest.org.uk/
‘soulful acoustic grooves and a wicked set of songs.’ Mellowtone Festival – Liverpool Aug 2008 www.myspace.com/mellowtonenight
‘great gig in Gateshead at The Sage Theatre – really enjoyed your set, well done.’ Sean Patterson – Echo Productions, Newcastle. July 2008. www.myspace.com/echofilmsuk
‘GOJO’ MUSIC is the new moniker for the music of Black Country singer-songwriter Gary O’Dea…a songsmith and purveyor of fine musical fare to all who’ll listen…an artist of considreable class and distinction. ‘Twenty Years Of Love And Pain…They Hurt The Same’, his latest four track EP sees O’Dea producing the most accessible and effective material so far. The opening track ‘Tell Me Please, Is This How The West Was Won? is a slice of gently persuasive and hypnotic, funky acoustic-pop, which effectively dismantles the lies that surround the so called ‘war on terror’. With production duties courtesy of Martin Stephenson, O’Dea is sounding increasingly confident and creating some of his finest material yet. Sean McGhee – Rock n’ Reel Magazine – Vol 2 No 4 July / Aug 2007 www.rock-n-reel.co.uk
‘Loved your sets on our stages Gary at both The Ragley Hall Green Futures Festival and at this years Glastonbury Festival. Many thanks.’ Sam Hermitage – Green Futures Promotions – July 2007. www.myspace.com/greenfuturesfestival
‘The Black Country has never really been regarded as a musical hotbed by outsiders, but GOJO’ MUSIC have produced an organic hot-pot of sound, fabricating some gorgeous grooves with soul, funk, blues and reggae influences, delivering them with the lyrical approach of a singer-songwriter and a hearty dose of punk rock attitude. From quasi-fragile ballads to the laid back groove (and almost hip hop produced beats) of ‘Is This How The West Was Won’ main man Gary O’Dea has a genuine conviction about his music and a passion that emanates from deep within. The EP was recorded in his living room to produce a truly authentic sound. This is DIY music at its purest.’ Dave McTague – Another Late Night Magazine – June 2007. www.anotherlatenight.biz
‘GOJO’ MUSIC are a very unique and hugely satisfying collective. Taking musical influence from across the planet they seamlessly blend together reggae, blues, funk and soul into a soft fulfilling groove. It sounds and almost feels natural, an organic rhythm that reaches out of the melody and connects with an innate beat within your body. It lays you down gently and soothes you into a hypnotic channel. Disgracefully, there isn’t a large commercial audience out there for Gojo Music, but believe me, it really is our loss!’ Mike Cooper – Ryans Gig Guide Feb 2007. http://www.surgemusic.com/
‘‘Twenty Years of Love & Pain…they hurt the same’ is ‘well good’! Little Chris – Brumcast Internet Radio. Dec 2006. http://ipodnetworks.com/Brumcast
‘It’s a fine piece of work, sort of part Tipton Clash – part Trumpton Daintees…good on ya’ morra.’ Graham ‘Shipcote’ Anderson – Jumpin’ N’ Hot Club. Newcastle Dec 2006. http://www.jumpinhot.com
‘An amalgamation of styles – although a stripped down version from the full band, still top stuff from the Tipton troubadour.’Phil Turner – Little Civic, Wolverhampton. 13th Oct 2006. www.wolvescivic.co.uk
‘the mix is funky roots with an edge that mixes in blues, grooves and folk. Tipton’s finest.’ Graham Radley – World Unlimited http://www.worldunlimited.freeuk.com/reviews/enter.htm
’Bluesy acoustic swamp rock from the heart of Tipton. Frontman Gary O’Dea and bandmates Garry Oliver, Eric Cox and Andy Stokes recruited former Daintee Martin Stephenson to record and co-produce their four track EP. The songs meander in a satisfying manner, with an undercurrent of old school punk!’ Andy Coleman – Birmingham Evening Mail 8/7/06.
‘Sporting a mission statement that describes them as a blend of funk, blues, soul and reggae with the attitude of punk, GOJO MUSIC is the latest project from Tipton based singer-songwriter Gary O’Dea. A four track EP produced by Martin Stephenson and featuring the liquid guitar of Garry Oliver, ‘Twenty Years of Love & Pain…they hurt the same’ marries angry protest and world weary hope. Inspired by the story of the late Afghan freedom fighter Abdul Haq, Tell Me Please, Is This How The West Was Won? is a brooding folk-funk groove questioning America’s involvement and agenda in Afghanistan while (Get Me On A Bus To) Betterville is a bluesy, harp wailing, slow train chugging song about depression, Distant Friend is a gently strummed folk-blues song about a breaking relationship (Stephenson’s influence apparent in the Northern lights ambience) and Time Out a six minute lay back and chill number that name checks both Hoagy Carmichael and Sweethearts of the Rodeo’…O’Dea’s delivery does a decent enough job furthering his reputation as the Joe Strummer of Tipton!’ Mike Davis – The Beat. http://www.roots-and-branches.com/the_beat.htm
“Regarding Gary O’Dea’s musical dabbling’s in the past, the songwriting has always been good – but these are really good…in fact they’re bloody excellent!”
Steve Morris Roots-and-Branches Radio Show, WCR 1350 AM/KHZ (Wolverhampton) 15/6/06. www.wcr1350.co.uk