The way and style of playing the piano is very reminiscent of Billy Joel’s. The voice is somewhere between Elliot Murphy and Southside Johnny. He comes from Cleveland, Ohio, but he could very well have been born in New Jersey near Asbury Park or raised in the streets of the Big Apple on the Upper West Side. His name is Justin Gorski, and, under the pseudonym of Big Hoke, he has just released a new album, full of character, called “Home”. A fresh album, which grows on you the more you listen to it, with a hint of tradition of the great American storytellers, it manages however to be original in its own way. An album that tells many stories, some in black and white where the protagonists are the same as those in the songs by Springsteen or Tom Petty, others more colourful and hopeful like the sky depicted on the album cover. There are really many beautiful songs on “Home”. My favourites? “Rag Mama Rag”, “Ain’t No Use” and the title track “Home”. Listen to the music of Big Hoke, you will be pleasantly surprised. (Gianluca Sitta)
Info/copies at www.bighoke.com
