FAME Reviews “Traveling Salesman”

February 27th, 2009

A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange
by Mark S. Tucker
(progdawg@hotmail.com).

Don’t let the great Skrebneski / Avedon b&w photography of the liner fool you, this is neither New York metropolitan music nor a Death of a Salesman flashback to the end of an earlier era…though…it does capture a good deal of an early 20th century vibe excellently. Joe Iadanza has a tenor voice that’s off the norm, just the sort of singer I avidly seek out. His music is stripped down but dead-nails perfect in its evocations, Carolyn Pook and violin aiding immensely. Anyone remember Leo Sayer’s killer first LP, the one before he quickly sold out (and became a, retch! , dance floor idol)? This is something like that debut.

Once Upon a Time sits somewhere near the unique stretch Sayer covered, bringing together a number of evanescent social milieus but minus Sayer’s vaulting leaps, occupying a more urbane zone. There’s also some Harry Chapin and James Taylor in the guy, a story-teller and sophisticated folkie. For just a spare quartet, he wrenches a hell of a lot out of the music. Night Light Lullabye is quite Taylor-ish though I doubt Baby James would ever hit that ambiance. Your Song is one of the high points of the collection, with Joe Hertenstein’s always letter-prefect drumming carrying the entire ensemble, including righteous backing vocals, along a soulfelt song of absence and longing. It’s followed by the uptone and almost rockin’ The Barn, Iadanza’s electric guitar keeping a metronomic pace to an Elton John styled ditty until he breaks it loose in a Davey Johnstonish solo.

Iadnza plans to do some solo and ensemble touring in 2009. If he lands anywhere nearby, I strongly suggest attending. You’re not likely to catch too many acts like this, a soft-rock oriented venture but with a far more evocative sophistication and plenty of room for an almost Gatsby-ish vibe.

Track List:
Traveling Salesman
Once Upon a Time
Lovers in the Park
In My Heart
Sunshine Blues
Night Light Lullaby
One More Lonesome Tune
Your Song
The Barn
Rainy Day

All songs written by Joe Iadanza.

Edited by: David N. Pyles
(dnpyles@acousticmusic.com)

Copyright 2009, Peterborough Folk Music Society.
This review may be reprinted with prior permission and attribution.

Link to the original article here: http://www.acousticmusic.com/fame/p05102.htm