Joe Perry Project Albums
Let the Music do the Talking
Let the Music do the Talking (1980)
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This is Joe Perry's first solo album.
Joe Perry split from Aerosmith under less than favorable circumstances in 1979, directly assembling a solo band, the Joe Perry Project (with Ralph Mormon [vocals], David Hull [bass], and Ronnie Stewart [drums]), which soon released its first album, 1980's Let the Music Do the Talking. Unlike his former band, which would now take excessive amounts of time to record albums that should have been cranked out quickly, L.T.M.D.T.T. recalled the brash and trashy appeal of early Aerosmith. Maybe because he wanted to show his former bandmates that he could succeed without them, the performances were extremely inspired, while the songwriting was sharp and focused. The anthemic title track was aimed at all the in-press bickering that was going on at the time between Aerosmith and Perry. While subsequent Perry Project albums didn't contain many Perry lead vocal spots, the singing on the debut is split 50/50 between Perry and Mormon. Tracks such as "Conflict of Interest," "Discount Dogs," "Shooting Star," and "Rocking Train" were all up-tempo highlights, and the instrumental "Break Song" showed off the fantastic interplay between the new band, while "The Mist Is Rising" was more low-key. A truly great and underrated record, Let the Music Do the Talking could have been a classic Aerosmith release if the drugs hadn't split the band apart. ~ Greg Prato
Personnel: Joe Perry (vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass); David Hull (vocals, bass); Ralph Morman (vocals); Ronnie Stewart (drums).
Ive Got the Rock n Rolls Again
I've Got the Rock 'n' Rolls Again (1981)
Charlie Farren (guitar, vocals) and David Hull (bass, vocals).
By the Joe Perry Project's second release, 1981's I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again original singer Ralph Mormon had been replaced by Charlie Farren (doubling on rhythm guitar), while the rest of the Project remained the same. While it did have its highlights, it was not on par with their stellar debut -- the switching of singers obviously had something to do with it. The production is less vibrant than the predecessor, the songwriting isn't as top-notch, and the overall performance isn't as energetic. Perry again shows why many consider him a guitar great by wailing away throughout, and even supplying the vocals to the album's best track, the turbo-charged closing ditty "South Station Blues." Many a solid guitar riff can be found (the title track and "Play the Game"), while other songs like "East Coast, West Coast," "Soldier of Fortune," and "Dirty Little Things" are standouts. Not a total washout, but when compared to Let the Music Do the Talking, most fans rightfully felt letdown by I've Got the Rock'n'Rolls Again. ~ Greg Prato
Personnel: Joe Perry (guitar, vocals), Ronnie Stewart (drums, percussion),
Personnel: Joe Perry (vocals, guitar); Charlie Farren (vocals, guitar); David Lyndon Huff, David Hull (vocals); Ronnie Stewart (drums, percussion).
Recording information: Boston Opera House, Boston, MA; The Boston Opera House, Boston, MA; Wherehouse, Waltham, MA.
Audio Mixer: Rik Pekkonen.
Photographers: Ron Pownall; David Michael Kennedy .
Once a Rocker Always a Rocker
Once a Rocker, Always a Rocker (1983)
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Personnel: Joe Perry (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, lap steel guitar, bass guitar, 6-string bass); Cowboy Mach Bell (vocals, percussion); Jim Biggins, Ric Cunningham (saxophone); Harry King (piano); Danny Hargrove (bass guitar, background vocals); Joe Pet (drums, congas, timbales, gong, background vocals).
Arranger: Joe Perry .
Photographer: Linda Lowell Campagna.
