Biography
Singer/songwriter/guitarist Joe Rathburn is a lifetime/fulltime musician, haling from San Diego, California.
Since October of 2006 he has hosted a weekly songwriter showcase in San Diego called Joe Rathburn's Folkey Monkey. It has garnered a reputation for being one of the best regular acoustic shows in town.
Joe won 1st place, Best Traditional Folk Song category, in the 2004 Just Plain Folks Music Awards for his light hearted song, The Dad I Had. It was picked out of 140,000 entries.
He's been nominated 3 times in the San Diego Music Awards as a performer and for his 2 recordings: Little Suns, and Rockwells and Picassos.
In December of 2005 he released his third cd, Would You Please Welcome: Joe Rathburn, Live at Dark Thirty, a double disc set containing concert performances of 10 previously released Joe tunes, and 11 previously un-released songs.
Joe has gained recognition for his deft guitar work, emotive voice, as well as his fine song writing abilities and wry sense of humor.
He has represented Taylor Guitars at two Folk Alliance Conferences, the 2003 Winter NAMM Convention, and on the Taylor produced Expression System Pickup DVD.
He was included on the history making MP3 compilation CD put out by Music Match and songs.com: The Best of Independent American Music. At the time of it’s release it was the most songs ever commercially released on one CD (152) including other great artists as: Chuck Brodsky, Jack Williams, Dana Cooper, Janis Ian, Buddy Mondlock, and Tom Prasada-Rao.
He performs continuously and his vast stage experience includes: festivals, arenas, clubs, churches, and coffeehouses, headlining his own shows as well as opening shows for others. He has opened for Ellis Paul, Susan Werner, Dave Van Ronk and a list of others as diverse as Chuck Berry, The Guess Who, Ray Charles, and Kiss.
Joe's music can be placed in the genre called Positive Music. His tunes have purpose, and carry with them more than just changes and grooves and catchy melodies, and hooks for the sake of their cool factor. They speak to the heart and mind of the listener directly. They uplift the soul in an instantly tangible way, while remaining fun, interesting, and non-preachy.
Joe’s music can also be likened to the singer/songwriters of the 1960s and ‘70s: the Paul Simon, James Taylor, Cat Stevens variety, yet his has a quality all his own which, though paying homage, never copies.
CD Baby Reviews for
"Would You Please Welcome Joe Rathburn Live at Dark Thirty"
Here’s an artist whose music is nothing more than a celebration of, well, music.
author: Brett Thompson
It’s easy to become disillusioned with today’s music landscape if you leave your mass produced shades on and forget to turn around to look at the view loitering behind you. You stare blankly as television broadcasters sell bottled pop to thirsty advertisers while inflated egos rhapsody about guns, gangs and guilty pleasures, flaunting their millions before disappearing one maybe two albums later.
Having said this, I commend Joe Rathburn for existing in that fine piece of real estate occupied by the independent artist who’s stayed true to his craft. As the masses flock to stadiums to sing their fleeting hero’s anthems, Joe becomes a reminder that a trip to your local meal and music hall is just as rewarding. And not to say Joe hasn’t been heard by as many ears as those stadium-fillers either – he has been perfecting his sound for over thirty-three years now.
This recording is proof of that dedication.
Here’s an artist whose music is nothing more than a celebration of, well, music. Joe’s a performer who takes what’s inside his head, not his producers, and shares a little bit of it with his audience. His tunes are well-rehearsed fun; his fellow band mates obviously enjoy the adrenalin of performing live, evident in a sound that’s both structured and spontaneous, simultaneously – almost as if you are listening through a half open window, to a musician performing in the room next door. Next door in this instance is the Dark Thirty and it sounds like it’s a riot of a venue to spend the evening at.
This album really embraces the ‘live’ medium. The guitars produce clean, crisp, energetic melodies while the percussion sits weightless, setting the pace but not stealing the show. I found the bongos particularly inviting to the ear when used in duel with the acoustic guitar.
Admittedly Joe’s music is more suited to the tastes of generation X than generation Y, but don’t let this be a deterrent. If you wish to be entertained the old fashioned way, not seduced by cleverly disguised marketing, give Joe Rathburn a listen, the landscape will consume you.
ONE OF THE FEW CD'S I LISTEN TO...
author: EDDIE CUNNINGHAM
GREAT WORK JOE! TOUCHING BALLADS, EXCELLENT VISUAL FURNITURE AND FINE GROOVES...YOU ARE A FOLKY MONKEY..YOU SONGS WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME...ROCK ON!
Two thumbs way up!
author: Veronica Graciano
I'm absolutely charmed by the music on this set.
Happy Music
author: Diannesss
Seeing Joe live is really the biggest treat. His lyrics and great stories combined with his easy going attitude and great acoustic guitar sound are to me... unforgetable. This CD puts Joe with his band, and almost captures the essence of the Joe experience. This Set is a nice combination of songs from other CDs, and a few tracks that I hadn't found on other CDs. It's definately a CD to add to your collection when you need a little injection of easy going attitude.
Brings the Joe Experience to life in a warm setting.
author: Steve Goldstein
I have been a fan and friend of Joe's for more years than either of us would care to admit, so I feel I am intimately acquainted with his music, which I love. However, when I listen to this double live set, I hear shadings I never heard before and I have a whole new perspective on his talents and songs. For novice or die-hard Joe fan, this CD is a must have for any serious music collection
This is special and then some
author: John Olin
As a fan of Joe's past work I am a bit bias. But the live CD is something special. From the opening song to the end it is a wonderful compelation of folk and perhaps a bit of pop. The guitar work is masterful and the percussion is incredible. Most of all the songs are the best of Joe. A bit of Guthrie, a bit of James Taylor, perhaps a bit of Loggins and Messina and a bit of what is only Joe. When you listen through it once go back to the first track and realize that we needed Joe somehow. This is the CD that I play whatever my mood in my kitchen when cooking and calm down. If the scale here was 10 I would give it an 11. I have introduced this CD to several friends and they were in CD Baby the next day to buy it. You will not be dissaponted. This is a creat CD by a true artist.
