Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan, an Americana/Jersey Shore/Roots Rock and Roll band, released their 10th CD, "Cause..." on SCR/Schoolhouse Records in March 2006. The 15 song "album" is divided into Side One and Side Two with topics ranging from friendship, war, marriage, oil, soul searching, politics and lost love.
As in past offerings, D'Urso mixes his writing and music with full out rockers and quiet observations. "Cause" was recorded with more of a live, garage rock feel than previous offerings and is quite unique as it's "narrated" by wise musings/introductions by the late Harry Chapin. Besides 12 new D'Urso originals, JD&SC take on John Stewart's 1979 Top 5 hit "Gold", Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released" and Chapin's "Taxi". JD&SC wll be supporting the new disc with live shows and Radio/TV appearances in the USA and Europe all throughout 2006.
This new CD follows up 2005's "Best 1991-2003". The 19-song compilation scans D'Urso's songwriting career from Greenwich Village startup to international independent touring artist. The CD includes 16 songs chosen by fans through D'Urso's website (www.jdcaravan.com) and three unreleased songs. Released simultaneously was the band's foray into video with the DVD "3 Days in Italy", which documents two Italian performances in February 2004. This DVD was released through the band's "Bootleg Series" as it was shot and recorded by Italian fans.
In 2004, D'Urso released a 15-song solo acoustic CD titled "Audience of One". Veteran engineer Toby Scott, who has worked on numerous recordings by Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Natalie Merchant, Little Steven, Harry Chapin and The Replacements, produced the CD in a two day session. The intimate recording was released as a limited edition.
In 2003, D'Urso released a 23-song double CD titled "Both Sides of Life," which included Springsteen's "Badlands". The track was featured on the Tribute CD "Light of Day: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen" and was praised by the UK magazine UNCUT as "inspired". D'Urso performed 150 concerts, solo and with band, in 16 countries during the support of this CD.
In 2002, D'Urso & Stone Caravan were chosen by House of Blues Concerts and The Harley Davidson Corporation to be the "official house band" for Harley's 100th Anniversary Open Road World Wide Tour. D'Urso was the only independent artist on the tour which performed three day festivals in Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney and Milwaukee with artists such as Bob Dylan, Aerosmith, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Elton John and many others. D'Urso co-wrote a thirty-minute musical production for Harley Davidson titled "Thunder" that was highlighted throughout the tour.
D'Urso's 2000 CD, "Rock and Roll Station," received rave reviews and was selected for the Grammy nomination process in multiple categories including "Song of the Year" and "Record of the Year". The CD featured radio DJs introducing the 13 penned D'Urso songs. The CD's unique concept reflects D'Urso's favorite teen-age pastime: turning the radio dial for favorite songs to surface from the static. This CD remains a favorite among JD&SC worldwide fanbase.
Other Joe D'Urso & Stone Caravan releases include 1998's "Glow", 1996's "Mirrors, Shoestrings & Credit Cards", 1993's "Rock-Land", 1992's "The Snow, The Rain & Yesterday" and 1991's "45-10 Pearson".
D'Urso's music is rootsy, introspective, rocking and forceful. Live shows have been recorded and traded worldwide and have attracted a legion of fans in 24 countries as many regularly travel hundreds of miles to attend performances.
How It All Began
In 1996, D'Urso left his job at the legendary Premier Talent Agency in New York City to pursue his career as a singer-songwriter. Since then, D'Urso's music has earned glowing praise from the media. The BBC's Gary Price says, "Joe D'Urso sings like an angel and writes songs like a demon" and New York Times writer Karen DeMasters calls D'Urso "one of the most original and versatile of the current artists writing music based in good, old-fashioned rock and roll".
D'Urso's love for music began with his older sister's record collection; Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Beatles, Elvis Presley, Bob Seger, Tom Petty, The Doors, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Meatloaf, Jim Croce, Jackson Browne and countless one-hit wonders from the 1950s to the 1970s. While at Premier Talent, D'Urso typed live performance contracts for hundreds of artists, including some of the very same bands that he listened to in his sister's record collection. This experience allowed him to get an insider's look at the music business and the inner workings of touring bands.
One night after attending the Manhattan premiere of U2's rockumentary, "Rattle and Hum," D'Urso turned to his roommate and said, "We've gotta start a band." They had just left the theater and U2 was in attendance seated ten rows in front of them. During the trip home a quote from Bono played itself over and over in D'Urso's head; "All I have is three chords, the truth and a red guitar". It was it turns out the catalyst for D'Urso's burgeoning new career. Six months later D'Urso's band, "3 Chords and the Truth" played its first concert. The band changed its name and released their first record in 1991.
As an artist, D'Urso has embraced his Indy status. In the process he has created a flourishing global fan base with each CD/Tour and his catalog of music is released on his own label, SCR/Schoolhouse Records. Internationally, his records and merchandise are available via retail stores, Internet sites, and his website: www.jdcaravan.com.
D'Urso remains true to an ideal inspired by the late Harry Chapin: that it is essential to help the less fortunate. He is heavily involved with World Hunger Year (WHY) and AAHAP (Artists Against Hunger and Poverty). WHY was co-founded by Chapin and Bill Ayres. "Joe brings to his life and music the magic combination of passion and purpose," said Jen Chapin, daughter of Harry and Chair of WHY Board of Directors. Ayres adds, "Joe D'Urso's music is passionate, vibrant and filled with great stories." Sue Leventhal, director of WHY's AAHAP calls D'Urso "a wonderful, first-class performer."
D'Urso's fierce independence, dynamic stage presence and altruistic nature have led him down a road less traveled.