Roses for Saturn/Monuments in Pallid Glory


     Everybody who ever "arrives" in this business eventually 
writes some sappy, heartfelt biography music chronicling their 
impoverished early years, repressed childhood, heroic dedication 
to and final success in "Rock and Roll".  Bryan Adams' "Summer of 
'69".  Bad Company's "Shooting Star".  Dire Straits' "Walk of Life"
...good songs maybe, but the lyrics try to sell you the same old 
"Johnny B. Goode" story of some guy who did nothing but lock himself 
in a windowless room and play guitar till his fingers bled.  How about 
some music that cuts the drama and expresses, fundamentally honestly, 
thoughts and feelings and events that each of us who feel each day go 
by can relate to?  Read on: This muse from the little town of Bethlehem 
is being heard by an ever increasing audience, and the people are intrigued
... he's not the "Second Coming"... just a guy with a couple guitars, a 
keyboard, drum machine, some neat software and a four-track recorder.  
Joe Balshi is a graduate of Lehigh University, works for Lucent Technologies, 
has a wife and daughter, and lays no claims to imposing  on  his listeners to 
endure the same old themes of lost love, drugs, sex, and whatever topic 
"Green Day's" millionaires scream about.  In short, Joe Balshi's newest 
releases "Monuments in Pallid Glory" /"Roses for Saturn" is an interesting 
blend of "haunting" melodies (remember how "Traffic" used to do that to you?  
If not, ask Mom and Dad.) coupled with lyrics Joe feels describe events he's 
been witness to, confident the listener will identify with and enjoy.  
"Monuments/Saturn" is about 70% instrumental music; up to 3 guitar tracks 
enmesh individual rhythms and leads, clean, full organ/keyboard work throughout, 
paced by a silky-sounding  percussion...

     Remember when listening that this guy created all this excellent music in 
his home, raising his daughter, maintaining  his marriage and working full time.  
Anybody reading this identify with this lifestyle?  Fellow music afficienados:  
Joe Balshi's " Monuments in Pallid Glory"/" Roses for Saturn" gives you that 
feeling of winning twenty bucks in the lottery:  it feels great but (sp)ends 
too quickly....here's hoping  more from Joe is pending!


                 Scott Helikson
                 
                 Cozumel, Mexico