Josie Bello has a new album out now. It’s titled Have Purpose, Live Long. But first, for those not yet familiar with the artist in question, a bit o’ background.
Josie Bello
Josie Bello is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and a native New Yorker. Prior to the release of this most recent work, her resume included her premiere platter, Can’t Go Home, which dropped in 2019. She performs live locally both with her Kit House Band and with her partner Frank Bello.
Signature sound
Josie Bello’s signature sound is a mix of multiple music genres including (but not necessarily limited to) Americana, folk, country, and even a drop of zydeco.
Have Purpose, Live Long
Have Purpose, Live Long is her self-released, second album. It is an 8-track album with a running time of under 41 minutes. Bello leads the way on vocals, keys, and accordion,
She is backed by an assortment of other artists including Mike Nugent (guitar, bass, banjo, and ukulele). Tom Fraiolo (fiddle), Richie Guerrero (percussion). Kelly and Kat (backing vocals), and Shawn Murray, Ian Petillo, and Jonathan Mele (drums).
Track by Track
The album opens on “Have Purpose Live Long.” It’s a sturdy start and also effectively introduces new listeners to Bello and her instrumental abilities.
The second selection is “Magic of the Music.” This blues bit has a certain honky-tonk swagger to it. The message here is that music makes life better.
The next number is “Not the America of My Dreams.” This one speaks to the viewpoint of fictional folks arriving unexpectedly at the American Southwestern border only to discover that there any many others in line before them who also wish to experience the American Dream. Bello is not the first to record a simplistic commentary such as this. Woody Guthrie did it decades ago with nothing but an old acoustic guitar. This almost-six-minute ballad is Bello’s personal attempt to address the situation in search of sympathy and empathy. Understandable too since as a life-long New Yorker she undoubtedly sees the Statue of Liberty all the time.
“I Bleed Human” is another song of social commentary. This one concerns gender and race. It is a unifying piece that would be right at home back in the 1960s. Of course, while we can legislate equality, we will never be able to legislate how people insist on thinking hence this song would fit in quite well on college radio to this day.
“Party with the Saints” is a welcome, uptempo country cut. This one too would have commercial possibilities in certain markets. It is a humorous, tuneful take on traditional Catholic guilt and you can dance to it too.
“All It Takes Is Time” follows. This song is also an early fave of online critics and has been praised for its overall quality. The lyrical POV is admittedly daring as it takes an old-school look at how some families once reacted to sexual abuse and welcomingly avoids being overly simplistic and taking the more expected, safer direction.
“Twenty-Five Years” is a love song about the ebb and flow of a 25-year relationship. Whether or not it concerns Bello and her SOP is not specified and really doesn’t matter. She sings it with sincerity one way or the other.
The closing cut is the heartbreaker “Hole in My Life.” Like the previous piece, it too deals with the very real ups and downs of real relationships...even after they have long since run their course. It offers the audience one final example of what Bello can do.
Overall…
Overall, this album provides the listener with a songful second serving of Bello’s raw, flowing, honest vocals in songs about various familiar topics. Here she once more demonstrates her capabilities as bother singer-songwriter and musician. Her unexpected choices are particularly welcome and rise above the others. Her signature sound is unique and her performances are heartfelt. So check out Josie Bello’s Have Purpose, Live Long and experience the “Magic of the Music.”.
(Images courtesy of Josie Bello)