Rave Early Reviews for Joshua Panda' Americana/Soul/Country/Folk CD
Early reviews have described 25-year old phenom Joshua Panda's eponymous Americana/Soul/Country/Folk CD as “incredibly soulful" and “straight-up awesome," and have praised the singer's combustible on-stage presence, buzzing “the energy of his performances clearly is something he can't help, rather than something he inserts." “His delivery ranges from the most quiet of whispering lament to the energy of a preacher after a heavy swig of communion wine..."
Drawing upon varied influences, from Kris Kristofferson and Townes Van Zandt's Country to Sam Cooke's soulful vocals to Otis Redding's stage energy, Panda delivers a hard-to- box-in style and a rich new album that evokes Van Morrison's gruff swagger and Patsy Cline's swoon. Listen to samples from the Pandarue Productions CD, here: http://press.joshuapanda.com/
Panda is currently in the midst of a major U.S. Tour, and will appear on the CBS-TV affiliate in Charlotte on September 5th. An innovative, interactive website recently launched to coincide with the tour: www.joshuapanda.com features live footage of the band on the road (busking, venue shows, etc,) and also includes a 'virtual guitar case' where fans can make donations via Paypal to help fund the band's threadbare tour.
SEVEN DAYS—VT
CD Review, By Dan Bolles
If there were any question left unanswered by Joshua Panda solo debut What We Have Sewn, it was whether the Burlington-based vocalist could evolve into a songwriter whose craft equaled his unique vocal talents. It's a tall order, particularly given Panda's prodigious pipes. Not that the song craft on his freshman effort was lacking. But what prevented that record from being transcendent, as opposed to just very, very good, was that Panda occasionally favored showy bluster over substance and focus—a common trap among young, naturally ultragifted singers. It's a forgivable transgression, especially when one exhibits so much tantalizing potential. On his self-titled sophomore album, Panda reveals remarkable maturation, and narrows the gap between his dynamic vocal chops and compositional prowess.
“Masquerade" sets the record's weightier emotional tone in a triumphant burst of piano, accordion and bright guitar that quickly descends into a brooding, mid-tempo march. Panda is coolly restrained as he warns, “When the game is over, and all the cards have been played / the joker masquerades as the ace of spades." These first few minutes of the album reveal what's most impressive about Panda's growth. I'm reminded of that old carpentry axiom, “Let the hammer do the work." The gist, of course, being that you don't need to swing hard to drive a nail home. It seems Panda has learned a similar lesson. His refined delivery reveals a willingness to let his words bear their due weight, rather than forcing the issue with vocal acrobatics. Panda hasn't abandoned his trademark wails and moans, but a more judicious use of this lethal weapon makes it more gratifying when he unholsters it—as in the jaw-dropping finish of “Masquerade."
Panda has again surrounded himself with a sterling cast of supporting musicians. In particular, multi-instrumentalist Joe Grass plays almost as important a role in shaping the album's tenuous balance between R&B and Americana as Panda himself. Grass' work, whether on guitar, steel guitar, mandolin or banjo, is immaculate and tasteful. Guest vocals from local alt-country troubadour Lowell Thompson are a pleasant surprise as well. But, ultimately, this is Panda's show. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more compelling front man in Burlington at the moment. And, even given the leap he's already made, it's safe to say Joshua Panda is just getting started.
Longmont Times-Call in Colorado
Busker Joshua Panda will hit local venues
By Quentin Young
Panda is a busker. Street performance is what he enjoys and where he thrives. The street is a time-honored venue, but the 25-year-old Panda is taking busking traditions into the Information Age.
He and his band are on national tour, and they're busking in various locations. They announce and broadcast their performances on Panda's website, www.joshuapanda.com, and as passers-by toss coins into their real cases, viewers of the streamed video may toss credit card donations into the virtual case.
“Where I've received the most response from people, it's always been busking," Panda said. Many nights, the street shows are followed by club shows. Panda is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons.
But, in a reversal of a musician's usual aspirations, such shows are secondary.
“We booked one show in each town we go to just to have something to do," Panda said. Panda offers something more than just an innovation on busking, and that is formidable talent.
He brings to his brand of rock-tinged Americana acoustic styles a powerful and exciting vocal delivery. He's not bad on guitar, either. The energy of his performances clearly is something he can't help, rather than something he inserts.
Panda said his mother taught him to sing when he was 3, and he grew up singing in church ("I'm no longer religiously affiliated," he said). He moved to Burlington, Vt., where he still resides, with the intention of busking. Now he says many residents of that city know him for his performances on Church Street.
He said he has never been to Lyons before, but he's sure the town must have a good place to busk.
Burlington Free-Press
Another local musician, the bluesy/gospel-influenced Joshua Panda, is also making waves on the Web. My eagle-eyed, music-obsessed co-worker here at the Free Press, page designer extraordinaire John James, pointed out to me that Joshua has been doing a busking tour of selected cities and posting videos from each.
Panda's band includes musicians from Vermont, Montreal, New York and North Carolina, and features guitar, mandolin/piano, accordion, drums, electric guitar, pedal steel, and upright bass. Panda's regular musicians include Lowell Thompson, Brett Lanier, Brian Axford, Ed Grasmeyer, Dan Davine, and Pete Weiss.
Joshua Panda on Tour:
Early reviews have described 25-year old phenom Joshua Panda's eponymous Americana/Soul/Country/Folk CD as “incredibly soulful" and “straight-up awesome," and have praised the singer's combustible on-stage presence, buzzing “the energy of his performances clearly is something he can't help, rather than something he inserts." “His delivery ranges from the most quiet of whispering lament to the energy of a preacher after a heavy swig of communion wine..."
Drawing upon varied influences, from Kris Kristofferson and Townes Van Zandt's Country to Sam Cooke's soulful vocals to Otis Redding's stage energy, Panda delivers a hard-to- box-in style and a rich new album that evokes Van Morrison's gruff swagger and Patsy Cline's swoon. Listen to samples from the Pandarue Productions CD, here: http://press.joshuapanda.com/
Panda is currently in the midst of a major U.S. Tour, and will appear on the CBS-TV affiliate in Charlotte on September 5th. An innovative, interactive website recently launched to coincide with the tour: www.joshuapanda.com features live footage of the band on the road (busking, venue shows, etc,) and also includes a 'virtual guitar case' where fans can make donations via Paypal to help fund the band's threadbare tour.
SEVEN DAYS—VT
CD Review, By Dan Bolles
If there were any question left unanswered by Joshua Panda solo debut What We Have Sewn, it was whether the Burlington-based vocalist could evolve into a songwriter whose craft equaled his unique vocal talents. It's a tall order, particularly given Panda's prodigious pipes. Not that the song craft on his freshman effort was lacking. But what prevented that record from being transcendent, as opposed to just very, very good, was that Panda occasionally favored showy bluster over substance and focus—a common trap among young, naturally ultragifted singers. It's a forgivable transgression, especially when one exhibits so much tantalizing potential. On his self-titled sophomore album, Panda reveals remarkable maturation, and narrows the gap between his dynamic vocal chops and compositional prowess.
“Masquerade" sets the record's weightier emotional tone in a triumphant burst of piano, accordion and bright guitar that quickly descends into a brooding, mid-tempo march. Panda is coolly restrained as he warns, “When the game is over, and all the cards have been played / the joker masquerades as the ace of spades." These first few minutes of the album reveal what's most impressive about Panda's growth. I'm reminded of that old carpentry axiom, “Let the hammer do the work." The gist, of course, being that you don't need to swing hard to drive a nail home. It seems Panda has learned a similar lesson. His refined delivery reveals a willingness to let his words bear their due weight, rather than forcing the issue with vocal acrobatics. Panda hasn't abandoned his trademark wails and moans, but a more judicious use of this lethal weapon makes it more gratifying when he unholsters it—as in the jaw-dropping finish of “Masquerade."
Panda has again surrounded himself with a sterling cast of supporting musicians. In particular, multi-instrumentalist Joe Grass plays almost as important a role in shaping the album's tenuous balance between R&B and Americana as Panda himself. Grass' work, whether on guitar, steel guitar, mandolin or banjo, is immaculate and tasteful. Guest vocals from local alt-country troubadour Lowell Thompson are a pleasant surprise as well. But, ultimately, this is Panda's show. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more compelling front man in Burlington at the moment. And, even given the leap he's already made, it's safe to say Joshua Panda is just getting started.
Longmont Times-Call in Colorado
Busker Joshua Panda will hit local venues
By Quentin Young
Panda is a busker. Street performance is what he enjoys and where he thrives. The street is a time-honored venue, but the 25-year-old Panda is taking busking traditions into the Information Age.
He and his band are on national tour, and they're busking in various locations. They announce and broadcast their performances on Panda's website, www.joshuapanda.com, and as passers-by toss coins into their real cases, viewers of the streamed video may toss credit card donations into the virtual case.
“Where I've received the most response from people, it's always been busking," Panda said. Many nights, the street shows are followed by club shows. Panda is scheduled to perform at 9 p.m. Saturday at Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons.
But, in a reversal of a musician's usual aspirations, such shows are secondary.
“We booked one show in each town we go to just to have something to do," Panda said. Panda offers something more than just an innovation on busking, and that is formidable talent.
He brings to his brand of rock-tinged Americana acoustic styles a powerful and exciting vocal delivery. He's not bad on guitar, either. The energy of his performances clearly is something he can't help, rather than something he inserts.
Panda said his mother taught him to sing when he was 3, and he grew up singing in church ("I'm no longer religiously affiliated," he said). He moved to Burlington, Vt., where he still resides, with the intention of busking. Now he says many residents of that city know him for his performances on Church Street.
He said he has never been to Lyons before, but he's sure the town must have a good place to busk.
Burlington Free-Press
Another local musician, the bluesy/gospel-influenced Joshua Panda, is also making waves on the Web. My eagle-eyed, music-obsessed co-worker here at the Free Press, page designer extraordinaire John James, pointed out to me that Joshua has been doing a busking tour of selected cities and posting videos from each.
Panda's band includes musicians from Vermont, Montreal, New York and North Carolina, and features guitar, mandolin/piano, accordion, drums, electric guitar, pedal steel, and upright bass. Panda's regular musicians include Lowell Thompson, Brett Lanier, Brian Axford, Ed Grasmeyer, Dan Davine, and Pete Weiss.
Joshua Panda on Tour:
- September 3 Border Bash Bristol, TN
- September 4 Evening Muse Charlotte, NC
- September 5 CBS TV Charlotte Live performance
- September 6 Bird's Nest Davidson, NC
- September 8 WDVX Blue Plate Special Knoxville, TN—NOON
- September 8 Baja Bean Staunton, VAׯpm
- September 9 The Bog Scranton, PA
- September 17 51 Main Middlebury, VT
- September 24 Lounge Burlington, VT
- October 7 Purple Fiddle Thomas, WV
- October 8 Caf Nola Frederick, MD
- October 22 Lounge Burlington, VT
- November 6 Shifty's Syracuse, NY
For more information contact Seth Cohen PR.
