Hemifran Album of the Week
Joel Rafael
"That the record company releasing the new CD of Joel Rafael is Jackson Browne's Inside Recordings is by itself a mark of quality. Therefore it's not surprising that he's starting off with a politically coloured song. 'This Is My Country', on the theme 'we have to save our land from our leaders'. Having Graham Nash and David Crosby background singing in it, is, of course, as accurate as wonderful. In other words, a brilliant opening. Of an equally brilliant album.
Joel Rafael is a singer-songwriter in the most classic sense of the word: a storyteller and a observer with so called 'literary qualities', with his songs he wants to concern, affect and change. If not always the society, then the hearts of his listeners. On the two earlier records he has interpreted Woody Guthrie. That heritage is sensed here, as well as Dylan, but the thoughts just as often goes to above mentioned Jackson Browne. And Joel Rafael is lining up one excellent song after another. 'Time Stands Still', 'Reluctant Angel', 'Missing Pages'... And the fact that the only two tracks he hasn't written by himself is borrowed from Steve Earle ('Rich Man's War') and Jack Hardy ('I Ought To Know') speaks for itself.
With a great warmth and experience in his voice, he presents words that affects. It's time for a much bigger audience to discover Joel Rafael!"
- Magnus Sundell / Trots Allt Magazine -