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“Joe is a survivor from tours in Vietnam to the devastation of Katrina that wiped out Joe’s house and belongings in New Orleans. Currently living in Debary, FL, his music is infused with the spicy rhythms and blues from his New Orleans’ roots. As a teenager in the Big Easy with his first band, Survival, he opened for Etta James, Hank Ballard Ernie K-Doe, and Aaron Neville that led to a career of world-wide touring with a variety of musical genres. Make no mistake, though, Joe is a bluesman through and through from his slinky guitar playing and soulful tenor vocals to straight ahead 12 bar blues from his 4 piece band. Blues to the bone–a perfect fit for the ol’ juke.”
— Gary Anton, Bradfordville Blues Club Facebook
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“I really like the style of Joe “Surivival” Caruso “I Gotta Tell Somebody.” His voice is as smooth as the best sippin’ whiskey money can buy. He has perfected the art of knowing when to strike the well placed note. Joe uses the notes like a top notch chef uses seasoning, a bit here of this, a bit here of that. Quite refreshing and a treat for the earholes in this day of maybe a bit too much emphasis on the rocking part of the blues. It wont be long before people will think of Joe instead of Robinson when they hear the name of master blues musician Caruso. Thank you, Lakehouse Records, for releasing real deal blues in a time of too many pretenders.”
— Mark T Smith the Blues Pilot, host and programmer of 17+ years on Blues Flight, KJLU News and Entertainment
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“As evidenced by his latest recording, I Gotta Tell Somebody, the sounds of New Orleans are imprinted on Caruso’s DNA. Echoes of Earl King, an early mentor, and Gatemouth Brown, whose Texas swing drifted across the border, resonate in his taut, cleanly burning guitar riffs. His tenor vocals, too, resound with Bourbon Street bonhomie, flavored with a touch of menace. “I got the voodoo, baby, I’m gonna put it on you,” he warns on a particularly evocative track. On the slowburning “Somebody’s Murderin’ the Blues,” Caruso addresses the decline he perceives in the music he loves. “I wrote that out of anguish,” he says, relating how he had gone to a blues club one night and was sorely disappointed by what he heard. “The guy says, ‘We’re gonna play some Elmore James.’ But what they played is Chuck Berry music, and they sing the words to Elmore James. And this went on and on for a long time with me. One day, I was so upset, I sat down and wrote the song.” Caruso’”
— Bob Weinberg, Jazz Blues Florida Magazine
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“True-to-life, deep-south blues by a man that has lived the life. New release by Lakehouse Records showcases Joe Caruso as a writerter and performer. Let Joe tell YOU his story!”
— Leonid Auskern – News editor, Jazz News – Europe
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“’She’s Gone (To Atlanta)’ and that may be true, but everyone else will have gone to the dance floor when this hot little shuffle comes on. As a matter of fact I can’t sit still myself. From the cool sax and rhythm guitar intro by Warren and Herb, to the sharp lead guitar riffs from Joe, to Warren’s smokin’ sax solos and the constant rich rhythm from Auggie and Reno throughout, this one rocks from beginning to end. “Blues, Blues, Blues” – With a title like that, I’m already liking this track before even hearing a note. Then the song opens with some soft and slow guitar riffs and some very mellow rhythm followed by torrid, soulful vocals, culminating with some sultry sax leads and I’m absolutely in heaven. Singing his heart out on this one, Joe’s vocally at the disc’s best on what’s easily its best track.”