Miss Lana Review
Labor & Spirits is a smorgasbord of music offered up by the multi-talented Emory Joseph, who is a gourmet chef as well as a gifted singer/song writer. Whatever your musical taste at the time, you’re sure to get a sampling when you hear this album. It’s "all over the map" but will satisfy the most finicky of music lovers.

What I mean by this is that it is one of the most eclectic Americana CDs I’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing. Mr. Joseph has created his own style by using influences that might not be the mix that many other songwriters have. Not only does he add a heaping cup of Louisianan music styles, but he sprinkles in a dash of Steely Dan, a pinch of Little Feat, a heaping tablespoon full of blues and other flavors of music that make this album just chock full of ear candy...the kind of ear candy you don't run across very often.

I found this album refreshing and fun. Sometimes you don’t find "fun" in an album. One of the things I do when I review a CD is to think about how many times that CD makes me smile while listening. I found myself smiling A LOT as I listened to this one. The lyrics grabbed me from the beginning and kept me mesmerized from one track to the next, and each song is totally different from the others.

I can tell from his work throughout this disc that he is the real deal. He has been around and seen and heard a lot of interesting stories, and he knows how to relate them lyrically. Add his unique music to those lyrics, along with passionate and pleasing vocals, and what you have is a masterpiece. Not every song writer has the insight and the creativity to make it all work this well together. I didn’t find anything lacking in this package to make it less than genius.

From the southern fried "Rhum & Coffee" to the down home sound of "Family Dog", the production quality is right there with the quality of the music and lyrics. Mr. Joseph produced this one himself (with a lot of help it says in the credits). It’s a real treat for any true music lover. If his cooking is as eclectic and delicious as his music, then baby, get ready to get fat! Order up a big helping of Labor & Spirits, cleanse your pallet of distractions and taste the greatness that is Emory Joseph.

One more important note…make sure the kids are out of the room after "Family Dog". The hidden track is hilarious but would give the kiddos a whole new impression of Donald Duck. You’ll have to order it to see what I mean.

You can hear samples of his music and order the CD at http://www.EmoryJoseph.com. If you don't go there and check him out, you'll be missing out. I will tell you this...this will be one of those discs that stay in my "frequent listening" stack and remain there for a long time to come. Mr. Joseph will have to dig deep on his next project to better this, because this CD is "one in a million". Thanks, Emory, for sending this one to me!

Happy Trails, Miss Lana