Press Pack
Joe Farren performs solo on acoustic guitar, keyboard, and harmonica. The covers he performs range from the piano styles of Ray Charles and Elton John to the guitar styles of James Taylor and Jason Mraz. Joe’s wide range of styles and his diverse list of cover songs make him a versatile performer who can please almost any audience and atmosphere. Joe can accommodate a dinner crowd with mellow background music, capture a crowd’s attention with his introspective lyrics, and get a crowd on their feet with his boogie-woogie piano styles, his unique twist on today’s top 40 hits, and his classic rock repertoire. Often he accomplishes all in one evening.
Listed below are some names of clubs and restaurants where Joe has performed. There is a separate list identifying the venues where he most recently worked, some of which remain regular gigs, to be used as references.
Partial List of Venues:
Whiskey Joe's, Tampa, FL
The Chart House, Tampa, FL
Lakeland Yacht & Country Club, Lakeland, FL
The Green Iguana, Tampa, FL
The Palm Pavilion, Clearwater Beach, FL
Portland Lobster Company, Portland, ME
Frog and Turtle, Westbrook, ME
Sea Dog Brewing Company, Topsham, ME
Townsend Avenue Coffee House and Wine Bar, Boothbay Harbor, ME
J.H. Hawks, Boothbay Harbor, ME
Bullfeeny’s, Portland, ME
References:
Chris at Whiskey Joe’s 813-281-0407
Stephanie at Jameson Tavern 207- 865-4196
James at the Frog and Turtle 207-591-4185
Bill at the Lakeland Yacht and Country Club 863-680-2582
Ian at Slainte Winebar 207-807-0644
Dave at Portland Lobster Company 978-886-4263
Bob at True North Events and Catering 207-633-1101 x111
Artist Bio
Joe Farren's "Til The Day" takes us back to the days when songwriting was at the heart of making a good record. Each song on this 12 track disc stands on its own. Farren played the majority of the instruments on the disc himself but featured some of the best local musicians from his hometown of Portland Maine as well as some studio players from Nashville.
The music draws on all American styles from blue-eyed soul to alternative-country. Joe's harmonica, acoustic guitar and piano playing shine throughout the disc as does the steel guitar, dobro, fiddle and saxophone as played by others, all of which sit comfortably on the foundation of a tight rhythm section.
Joe's lyrics will steal your heart, break it, and put it back together again. The sense of hope and moving on is a theme Farren explores a lot on "Til The Day". To sum up these 12 tracks one would conclude that the journey of life can be painful and beautiful and that the only one certainty of life is the uncertainty.
Farren writes and performs in a number of different musical and lyrical styles on "Til The Day". The title track is a storytelling folk tune about a man standing at the grave of his future wife's father asking for his consent in marriage. Joe's harmonica and smooth electric piano anchor this tune which has beautiful steel guitar riffs winding in and out of the melody. However on the following track "Last Chance" Farren pays homage to the rock and roll of the fifties. An obvious inference for anyone who has seen Joe perform live, this track is built off a Jerry Lee Lewis influenced piano groove and is complemented by soulful horn stacks and soaring vocals which complement the simple lyric and melody.
Joe's main influences on this record are poignant song writers such as James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan and more recent artists like Patty Griffin and Ryan Adams. Joe studied in New Orleans and his bluesy piano playing is often compared to that of Ray Charles and Norah Jones. As for his acoustic guitar style of play, Joe gives a lot of credit to his Martin. "I never finger picked before picking up that Martin. Some days I just find it hard to put that thing down. Acoustic guitar is such a beautiful instrument; it feels like an extension of my body".
Joe is clearly a dedicated song writer who has paid attention to every detail on "Til The Day". His lyrics are poetry and his musicality and competence on so many instruments as well as the variety of American music styles featured on this disk makes listening to it a true pleasure.
***
"These are strong, polished, heart-felt songs, sung and played from the soles of Farren's shoes." --THE PHOENIX
"The musicianship that Joe displays on this record is very, very impressive, and he has a great, natural vocal style that is expressive, accessible and easy to listen to." -- MAINE TODAY.COM
"Last Chance" is the cut that I enjoyed the most, I couldn't help myself, I had to get up and dance to this one." -- MAINE TODAY.COM
"Farren is a solid songwriter who draws on life experiences from both the interior and exterior vantage point." -- PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
"The last tune on the CD is "Go On". Aside from some nice backing vocals from his producer Tom Acousti, this is Joe on acoustic guitar, Joe on harmonica and Joe on vocal. This is what you'd get from Joe in an intimate listening room or coffee house, and it's very, very nice. Punchy guitar, plaintive harmonica, powerful, deeply felt vocals, and a melody and lyric line that brings it all to your heart." -- MAINE TODAY.COM
"Take the nigh-on-spectacular "Savannah" which opens the disc. Farren's delivery is endearing and soulful, and the powerhouse chorus is the child of "Sweet Home Alabama" and Gary Louris." -- THE PHOENIX
"He's one of those annoying people who is a whiz at many instruments." -- PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
"The songs are best described as acoustic rockers with Americana sensibility." -- PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
"It's got a grade A sound to it without being glossy or drab and is particularly enjoyable when it's not raining and you can roll your car windows down on a back road and crank it." -- PORTLAND PRESS HERALD
"His habit of using an expected final word to transition into the beginning of a follow-on line elicits pleasant surprises." -- THE PHOENIX
"His play on contemporary country pulls out the big fiddles, pedal steel, and major chords without delving into the bravado or sanctimony." -- THE PHOENIX
"This is a very entertaining record, and will definitely make you want to see Joe perform live. He is a very talented musician, songwriter, and performer, and I highly recommend you seek out a live show and purchase this CD." -- MAINE TODAY.COM
Song List
All I Want Is You - U2
All You Need Is Love - The Beatles
Always On My Mind - Willie Nelson
Amy - Pure Prairie League
American Dream - Joe Farren
Angel From Montgomery - John Prine
Atlantic City - Bruce Springsteen
Away Forever - Joe Farren
Amazing Grace – Traditional
Back In Time - Joe Farren
Bartender - Dave Mathews Band
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
Blackbird - The Beatles
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Boogie On Reggae Woman - Stevie Wonder
Boy Next Door - Joe Farren
Bridge Over Troubled Water – Paul Simon
Bright Side Of The Road - Van Morrison
Brilliant Disguise - Bruce Springsteen
Bring It On Home To Me - Sam Cooke
Broken Man - Joe Farren
Brown Eyed Girl - Van Morrison
Call Me The Breeze - J.J Cale
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
Crazy Love - Van Morrison
Cry Me A River - Traditional
Cocaine Blues – Johnny Cash
Come By Me - Harry Connick Jr.
Come Monday - Jimmy Buffet
Could It Be - Joe Farren
Country Road - James Taylor
Danny’s Song - Kenny Loggins
Dead Flowers - Rolling Stones
Dear Chicago - Ryan Adams
Desperado – Eagles
Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright - Bob Dylan
Don't You Wanna Stay - Jason Aldean
Easy - Lionel Richie
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic - The Police
Family Tradition - Hank Williams Jr.
Fast As You - Dwight Yoakam
Feelin Alright – Traffic
Fire and Rain - James Taylor
Flake - Jack Johnson
Fly Me To The Moon - Frank Sinatra
Follow Me Home - Joe Farren
Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash
For A Little While - Phil Vassar
Forever - Joe Farren
Forget You - Cee Lo Green
Friend Of The Devil - Grateful Dead
Get Ready - Joe Farren
Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
Go On - Joe Farren
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad - Grateful Dead
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Harvest Moon - Neil Young
Heart Of Gold - Neal Young
Helpless - Neal Young
Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix
Hey Soul Sister - Train
Hey Ya – Outkast
Home - Michael Buble
Honey Bee - Blake Shelton
Honky Tonk Woman - Rolling Stones
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
How Beautiful - Traditional
I Shall Be Released - Bob Dylan
Ice Cream Man - Tom Waits
If I Should Fall Behind - Bruce Springsteen
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Imagine - John Lennon
I’m Coming Home - Joe Farren
I’m On Fire - Bruce Springsteen
In My Own Mind - Lyle Lovitt
In My Time Of Need - Ryan Adams
Into The Mystic - Van Morrison
It Ain't Over 'til It's Over - Lenny Kravits
It Don’t Matter To The Sun - Garth Brooks
The Joker - Steve Miller Band
Just The Way You Look Tonight - Frank Sinatra
Keep Me In Mind - Zac Brown Band
Kiss – Prince
Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band
Landslide - Fleetwood Mac
Last Chance - Joe Farren
Last Dance With Mary Jane - Tom Petty
Lay Down Sally - Eric Clapton
Leave My Records - Joe Farren
Let It Be - The Beatles
Lie To Me - Joe Farren
Linus and Lucy - Vince Guaraldi
Little Moments Like That - Brad Paisley
Little Sister - Elvis Presley
Love A Little Stronger - Diamond Rio
Man Of Constant Sorrow – Traditional
Margaritaville - Jimi Buffet
Marry Me - Train
Me And Julio Down By The School Yard - Paul Simon
Moondance - Van Morrison
Moonlight Sonata - Beethoven
Musetta's Waltz – Puccini
My Girl - The Temptations
My Father’s House - Bruce Springsteen
My Old Shirt - Joe Farren
New York State Of Mind - Billy Joel
Not Fade Away - Buddy Holly
#41 - Dave Mathews Band
One - U2
One After 909 - The Beatles
One Way Out - Allman Brothers Band
100 Years - Five For Fighting
Ophelia - The Band
Oh My Sweet Carolina - Ryan Adams
One Love - Bob Marley
Patchabel Canon - George Winston
Piano Man - Billy Joel
Please Come Home For Christmas - Aaron Neville
Purple Rain – Prince
Rain King - Counting Crows
Red Jacket - Joe Farren
Ring Of Fire - Johny Cash
Ripple - The Greatful Dead
Rocket Man - Elton John
Rodeo Clowns - Jack Johnson
Run Run Rudolph - Chuck Berry
Savannah - Joe Farren
She’s Got A Way - Billy Joel
Somebody Have Mercy - Sam Cooke
Somebody Like You - Keith Urban
Something - The Beatles
Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Traditional
Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness - John Prine
Steamroller Blues - James Taylor
Still On My Mind - Joe Farren
Stolen Car - Bruce Springsteen
Suds In The Bucket - Sara Evans
Sunken Ship - Joe Farren
Superstition - Stevie Wonder
Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Sweet Thing - Van Morrison
21 Days - Joe Farren
Take Me To The River - Al Green
That's Alright Mama - Elvis Presley
That’s How Strong My Love Is - Otis Redding
The Drugs Don’t Work - Ben Harper
The Tail Is Wagging This Dog Again - Joe Farren
The Long Way Home - Norah Jones
The Prayer - Josh Grobin
These Days - Jackson Browne
This Time - Joe Farren
This Years Love - David Gray
‘Til The Day - Joe Farren
Tiny Dancer - Elton John
To Be Young - Ryan Adams
Toes - Zac Brown Band
Tupelo Honey - Van Morrison
Use Somebody - Kings Of Leon
Wagon Wheel - Old Crow Medicine Show
Wave On Wave - Pat Green
The Weight - The Band
What A Beautiful Day - Chris Cagle
Whatever It Is - Zac Brown Band
What I Say - Ray Charles
When That Evening Sun Goes Down - Van Morrison
When The Stars Go Blue - Ryan Adams
Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On - Jerry Lee Lewis
Wild Night - Van Morrison
Will It Go Round In Circles - Billy Preston
Wonderwall – Oasis
Yellow - Coldplay
You And Tequilia - Kenny Chesney
You Aint Goin Nowhere - Bob Dylan
You Can Close Your Eyes - James Taylor
You Don't Know Me - Ray Charles
You Shook Me - Led Zepplin
You Shook Me All Night Long – ACDC
Your Song - Elton John
Lyrics
Savannah
© 2007 Joe Farren
You’re off to New York today
To chase a dream or to run away
You always liked the spotlight
To play someone else’s life made your own seem alright
But I know the girl beneath the costume
And the love we have that I hold onto
And even though I must let you go
Don’t turn me into just some guy you used to know
I hope you shine Savannah
I hope you get there someday
I know you will find what you’re running after
But don’t you lose yourself along the way
But won’t you miss the harvest moon
Or the sweet Georgia peaches when they’re in bloom
Will you trade these quiet nights
And this view of the stars for those bright city lights
I hope you shine Savannah
I hope you get there someday
I know you will find what you’re running after
But don’t you lose yourself along the way
You’re waving from your bus seat
And I can see your tears
I’m standing on this lonely street from which
You’ll soon disappear
The child inside me wants to hold you back
And stand in the way of that greyhound
But now I will grow up
Not hold you down
And watch you shine Savannah
I know you will get there someday
I’m sure you will find what you’re running after
But don’t you lose yourself
When you shine Savannah
Don’t you lose yourself along the way
You’re off to New York today
To chase a dream or to runaway
You’re off to New York today
Don’t turn me into just some guy you used to know
‘Til The Day
© 2007 Joe Farren
I can never know if you’d approve of me
But I’m here to ask you just the same
I’ve been walking row by row
Searching for your name
They tell me you sang just like me
But you never cared to make it big
A family man whose dream in life
Was his wife and his kids
I came here to ask for your permission
To take your daughter as my wife
And I hope you’re not rolling over in your grave cause I will
Love her ‘til the day I die
I will give her everything I have
The Lord knows that ain't much
I'd buy her expensive things
But she don’t care about that stuff
And I’m not schooled in politics
I just don’t give a damn about all that
But I’ve got ambition, I’ve got this guitar
And I got the clothes on my back
I came here to ask for your permission
To take your daughter as my wife
And I hope you’re not rolling over in your grave cause I will
Love her ‘til the day I die
I talked to your kids this morning
Everyone is safe and okay
Mary’s still in school
And Mathew has another baby on the way
And I wish that you were still around
Your wife says we’d get along just fine
You know after all these years
You’re still always on her mind
I came here to ask for your permission
To take your daughter as my wife
And I hope you’re not rolling over in your grave cause I will
Love her ‘til the day I die
I know you can’t walk her down the aisle
And you can’t place her hand in mine
But I know that you’ll be with us
When we hear those wedding bells chime
So I brought you an invitation
Along with some flowers from the bride
You know she’d give anything
To still have you by her side
And that’s why I’m here to ask for your permission
To take your daughter as my wife
And I hope you’re not rolling over in your grave cause I will
Love her ‘til the day I die, oh I will, Love her ‘til the day I die
I promise I will, love her ‘til the day I die
Last Chance
© 2007 Joe Farren
I’m so tired girl of chasing you
There’s a million other things this man could do
I’ve been hangin’ round this town
For way to long
Tonight’s your last chance mama
Or else in the morning I’ll be gone
I bring you flowers from the park
I hold your hand when it gets dark
So tell me what it is
That I do wrong
Tonight’s your last chance mama
Or else in the morning I’ll be gone
I walk you home most every night
We get to your doorstep you kiss me good-bye
But you never invite me in
And girl it’s been so long
So take your last chance mama
Or else in the morning I’ll be gone
I’ll be the rhythm of your tune
I’ll be the melody soft and smooth
I’ll be your boogie-woogie man
Your favorite song
So take your last chance mama
Or else in the morning
Take your last chance baby
Or else in the morning
Better take your last chance mama
Or in the morning I’ll be gone
Away Forever
© 2007 Joe Farren
I miss the man in your locket
Cause that’s the man I used to be
I left my heart and your name next to mine
A scar upon that willow tree
Now I’m married to this moving
And staring at these hotel walls
I can’t believe I left your warm embrace
For this black and empty highways call
Now I’m a teardrop from your eye
Where I can touch your face again
And taste your skin one last time
Before I’m wiped away, away forever
We used to sparkle like a diamond
I should have put one on your hand
But I just, I filled my pockets full of fool’s gold
Just like a fool, I did not treasure what I had
And now I’m a teardrop from your eye
Where I can touch your face again
And taste your skin one last time
Before I’m wiped away, away forever
Now you’ve grown roots like that willow
And branches of tears raining down
But all I feel beneath my knees
Is a thousand miles of shaky ground
And now I’m a teardrop from your eye
And here I touch your face again
And taste your skin one last time
Before I’m wiped away, away forever
Lie To Me
© 2007 Joe Farren
I’ve been gone a short time
But the desert makes a person age
Now I’ve got eyes in the back of my head
And my nerves are nearly frayed
You say I don’t laugh, not like I used to
You say where’s that boy, a year ago I said goodbye to
I’m still marching through a sandstorm
As thick as blood, as sharp as knives
My ears are ringing, I’m in battle
I’m watching buddies lose their lives
See, you can’t know the firestorm I’ve seen
And you can’t tell a nightmare from a dream
But Lie to me, Give one more blissful
Night to me, Let your morning kisses
Lie to me
You’ve been toasting to your freedom
The ignorant bliss I used to know
When you were shooting down tequila
I was lining up the dead in rows
We both know the fairy tale is over
But even so, how about one last night for this soldier
Lie to me, Give one more blissful
Night to me, Let your morning kisses
Lie to me
I didn’t have the grades for a university
With my diploma came a gun
With life and death at my fingertips
Now I must live with what I’ve done
We both know the innocence is gone
But even so, for one more night let's hold on
Lie to me, Give one more blissful
Night to me, Let your morning kisses
Lie to me, spend one more blissful
Night with me, with your morning kisses
Lie to me
How ‘bout one last night
Still On My Mind
© 2007 Joe Farren
Skipping school on Fridays
Secret afternoons in each other’s arms
Cracker Jack prize tattoos on your body
Hidden treasures for me to find
And after all this time, you’re still on my mind
If I had said I’m sorry
And taken back those rotten things I said
Would I still have the warmth of your body
And the right woman in my bed
After all this time, you’re still on my mind
Time can heal, time can ease all the pain
Setting free a broken heart
But through the years, all those other flames
They just bring me back to the start
Where you’re still on my mind, you’re still on my mind
But now I reach my driveway
So soon I’ll settle down in another’s arms
She will greet me mind, soul, and body
Never knowing just what I hide
That after all this time, you’re still on my mind
Skipping school on Friday’s
Secret afternoons
Cracker Jack prize, tattoos on your body
Hidden treasures for me to find
After all this time, you’re still on my mind
Red Jacket
© 2007 Joe Farren
Well, I don’t have a red jacket like James Dean
And I’m not as handsome as Springsteen
But maybe I could offer more than a schoolgirl crush
That still hangs on your wall
You won’t find me in this month’s Rolling Stone
You can’t hear my voice at the touch of your hand
But I could do things your records can’t do
If I was your music man
Well I could be with you in silence
And I could hold onto you when it storms
I’ll dance with you and when the music stops
I’ll still be there to keep you warm
I don’t have a million dollars
And strumming this guitar is all I know
See, there’s two reasons I get out of bed each day
And loving you is my favorite one of those
Cause I want to be on you like your lipstick
And be as close as your shadow when I can
Yes I would do things your records can’t do
If you let me be your music man
I would be with you in silence
And I would hold onto you when it storms
I’ll dance with you and when the music stops
I’ll still be there to keep you warm
But sometimes records wear out
And songs don’t mean what they did before
And it’s true that hearts can sometimes break like needles
But we will take off our headphones, we will write a new song every time
I will be with you in silence
I will hold onto you when it storms
I’ll dance with you and when the music stops
I will still be there to keep you warm
If I was your music man
Just let me be your music man
If I was your music man
I’m Coming Home
© 2007 Joe Farren
I’m going down
Down to New Orleans
Back to the city
To my river queen
So you can stop writing letters
And put that phone card away
Cause baby I’m coming home
I saved all my money
That I earned along the way
To wake up beside you
And lie in bed all day
So you can stop writing letters
And put that phone card away
When I get home
Will you meet me in your birthday suit
I’ll make up for those nights away from you
And we’ll fall in love all over again
Cause baby I’m coming home
So you can stop writing letters
And put that phone card away
When I get home
Will you meet me in your birthday suit
I’ll make up for the nights away from you
And we’ll fall in love all over
I’ll sing you to sleep again
We’ll be as far from lonely as we’ve ever been
And we’ll Fall in love all over again
Cause baby I’m coming home
Down to New Orleans
Back to the city
To my river queen
So you can stop writing letters
And put that phone card away
Yeah baby I’m coming home
Broken Man
© 2007 Joe Farren
Out at the train tracks on that fateful day
A broken man who lost his way
Pulled off of the highway to end it all
Parked right on the tracks and let his engine stall
The ground shook below him as the train rolled near
He pictured his wife and wondered if she’d care
He’d put her through hell than hung her out to dry
He was a different man when he met her, but that man had already died
What a broken man
Broken man
He jumped out of the car, ten seconds he had left
Dropping to his knees and failing this attempt
Like everything before he never took control
No he couldn’t even finish digging his own hole
The explosion from the crash blew that engine off the tracks
Took out a second train that was only trying to pass
The collisions killed a few and injured many more
He walked from this mess more broken than before
Oh what a broken man
He was a broken man
Broken man
Oh what a broken man
He’ll forever spend his days behind those prison walls
And he never will forgive himself for all the pain he caused
But for once in his life he’ll feel so secure
Not in control of his own fate, locked behind a cell room door
Oh what a broken man
He was a broken man
Oh what a broken man
He was a broken man
Go On
© 2007 Joe Farren
These rusty guitar strings
They don’t play like they should
The times come for changing
They gave all they could
And you used to hold me
Like I was going off to war
But now no one’s left standing
I can’t fight anymore
So go on without me
Go on your own
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
You’re so quick to judge me
And kick when I’m down
You laugh at my music
But you still hang around
Well go on without me
And go on your own
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
So gather your records
Gather your pride
And keep your convictions
So warm at your side
Just leave my door open
Cause as you walk out the whole world’s walking in
When I swap out these old strings
And start singing again
So go on without me
Go on your own
I might think about you
But I'm not about to go on alone
I’ll think about you
But I'm not about to
Go on alone
These rusty guitar strings
They gave all they could