I recently had a chance to chat again with Whitesnakes’s Joel Hoekstra about his dynamite solo project Hoekstra 13. Running Games, which is his sophmore release on his solo journey will make the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Joel decided on the title as per the theme lyrically which was one of “escape, running away, and leaving the past behind” Running Games has been getting rave reviews worldwide after he released a couple of tracks before the official full album debut this past Friday.
When I tell you the Whitesnake and Trans Siberian Orchestra guitar player’s new album is dynamite, it’s because it truly is. It is more work to BS your way through a subpar performance than to just avoid it altogether, so referring to the above, it’s seriously on the mark as one of the best new hard rock melodic albums I have heard in a few years.
In case you have been in lockdown for the better part of the last 20 years, Joel is one of the classiest axe masters out there. He has toured as Cher’s guitarist, performed in Broadway’s Rock of Ages, and had stints with Night Ranger, but his claim to fame is clearly his stage presence and melodic mastery with Whitesnake and the TSO.
To sum up Running Games, it’s a very smooth and crunchy riff-oriented album with power vocals from Russell Allen, who many would agree is one of the best all-around singers in the world. Early on, Russ made a name for himself by belting them out with hard rock legends Symphony X.
Listening to the album, you are going to hear many great things and an Yngwie Malmsteen vibe is one of them for many a reason. Rounding out the all-star lineup are Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, Dream Theatre), Tony Franklin (Blue Murder, The Firm), Vinny Appice (Dio, Black Sabbath), and last but not least, Jeff Scott Soto (Sons of Apollo, Yngwie Malmsteen, TSO) on backing vocals.
The musical influences that Joel is fond of are apparent. In addition to his own style – which encompasses a vast library of sounds – there is no doubt that Satriani, Vai, Vandenberg, Viv Campbell, David Gilmour – and maybe even Ernest Skinner – are part of his musical DNA.
On tracks from the album like (Fantasy) and (Reach the Sky), I hear a Whitesnake-meets-Led Zeppelin beat, and Pink Floyd guitar tone at times.
To put things in perspective, I spoke with three world-class guitarists and had them listen to the album and this is what they told me.
Rik Emmett (Triumph): “There is an elite group of rock guitarists on the planet, a small handful of consummate professionals who can play with full mastery of technique and passion. Joel Hoekstra is one of them. When it comes to the added value of stage presence, charisma, and physical style, he’s the total rock god package. Running Games is dynamite, but on the track (Finish Line) he’s a full-blown fire-breathing monster. There are arc-welding sparks flying off the guitar parts on this track.”
Sean Kelly (Nelly Furtado, Lee Aaron, Helix, Crash Kelly): “Joel is one of the best guitarists I have ever seen live; a perfect blend of melodic maturity and dazzling technical proficiency. I had the pleasure of sharing a bill with him in Oklahoma when I was in Helix and he was in Night Ranger. Running Games is an amazing piece of Classic melodic metal art with a modern production touch. It is delivered with all the taste and firepower we’ve come to expect from Joel.”
Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal: “[I] love this album and Joel! Joel has it all – emotion, virtuosity, identity; he’s a great songwriter, great showman, and he’s a great dude.”
Before you go and order the album and read my summary of my chat with Joel; go back upstairs and check out the sampler and you’ll hear what all the fuss is about. I also need to ask: is it me, or does anybody else feel a Surfing with the Alien nostalgia via Joe Satriani with this animated video below and Satch’s album cover?
FAMILY DUDE
Joel was just as upbeat as the first time I interviewed him. Sometimes you can sense that the artist is tired, bored, or just doesn’t want to repeat the same thing over and over again. Joel’s energy was ceaseless as he picked up the phone with a”hey dude!”
We didn’t just talk music, but also about his family. The rock star is refreshingly grounded with his wife of 17 years (who probably can’t wait until goes back on the road ha ha ) and his two youngsters, aged nine and five. Following in his old mans footsteps, his nine year old is currently into Iron Maiden. When asked what his daughter is listening to, he responds with a chuckle “frozen.”
If you’re a guitarist and are wondering; he used about four guitars in recording Running Games. He used a Taylor acoustic, a Strat for the cleaner parts, a Phil Collen (Def Leppard) model Jackson PC1 for when he needed some whammy and sustain action, and of course his prized gold top Les Paul was the primary. The album was recorded remotely during the COVID lockdown, and Joel thinks it is the way to go.”It doesn’t put pressure on you playing in your own studio, as you play when you are in the mood”
I could go on about Running Games and Joel, but I have to get back to listening to it. Get your copy via Amazon, Apple Music, or check out his website at www.joelhoekstra.com.
On a somber note; please keep Rik Emmett in your thoughts tonight as he told me his father passed away yesterday morning.
Ernest Skinner
indian pharmacy paypal: india pharmacy – pharmacy website india
canadian pharmacy phone number: canadian mail order pharmacy – cheap canadian pharmacy online
buying prescription drugs in mexico online [url=http://mexicanpharmacies.pro/#]buying prescription drugs in mexico[/url] mexican drugstore online
https://indiameds.pro/# indianpharmacy com
india pharmacy mail order: indian pharmacy – world pharmacy india
online pharmacy india: online shopping pharmacy india – Online medicine order
my canadian pharmacy rx [url=https://canadapharmcertified.pro/#]canadian medications[/url] reddit canadian pharmacy
https://canadapharmcertified.pro/# canada drug pharmacy
https://mexicanpharmacies.pro/# mexican rx online
reputable canadian pharmacy: buying drugs from canada – best canadian online pharmacy
best online pharmacies in mexico: ?»?best mexican online pharmacies – buying from online mexican pharmacy
https://sildenafilpills.pro/# sildenafil 20 mg online no prescription
canadian pharmacy cialis cheap [url=https://fastpills.pro/#]legitimate canadian pharmacies online[/url] aarp recommended canadian pharmacies
https://edpill.pro/# best ed drug
http://edpill.pro/# best ed pill
https://sildenafilpills.pro/# sildenafil best price uk
what is aviator how to play aviator how to play aviator on betway
https://sildenafilpills.pro/# 20 mg generic sildenafil
https://edpill.pro/# best ed pills online
http://edpill.pro/# mens ed pills
http://sildenafilpills.pro/# 100 mg sildenafil cost
http://birthcontrolpills.pro/# birth control pills cost
cheap canadian pharmacy: canadian pharmacy review – northwest pharmacy canada
http://canadianpharm.pro/# trustworthy canadian pharmacy
canadian drug stores: canadian pharmacy shipping to USA – best rated canadian pharmacy
birth control pills cost: birth control pills buy – birth control pills prescription
https://canadianpharm.pro/# canada drugs online review
time between amoxicillin doses is amoxicillin used for sinus infection 500 mg amoxicillin for sinus infection
price for birth control pills: birth control pills buy – cheap birth control pills
keflex for uti in pregnancy keflex dosage for gonorrhea keflex mrsa
https://birthcontrolpills.pro/# birth control pills buy
canadian pharmacy 24 com: certified online pharmacy canada – canadian pharmacy phone number
buy birth control over the counter [url=https://birthcontrolpills.pro/#]?»?buy birth control pills online[/url] birth control pills cost
http://canadianpharm.pro/# best canadian pharmacy
canadian world pharmacy: canadapharmacyonline legit – canada drug pharmacy
buy paxlovid online: Paxlovid buy online – paxlovid pharmacy
https://canadianpharm.pro/# canadian pharmacy price checker
cephalexin 500 mg precio https://cephalexinujx.com/ cephalexin 500mg side effects dogs
birth control pills delivery: over the counter birth control pills – ?»?buy birth control pills online
http://canadianpharm.pro/# trusted canadian pharmacy
keflex alternatives https://keflexvex.com/ keflex for 70 year old
canadian pharmacy ed medications: canadian pharmacy cheap medications – certified canadian international pharmacy
paxlovid pill [url=http://paxlovid.pro/#]Paxlovid over the counter[/url] Paxlovid over the counter
how long for cephalexin to work uti https://cephalexinyns.com/ prednisone and cephalexin
paxlovid pharmacy: paxlovid india – paxlovid generic
https://paxlovid.pro/# Paxlovid over the counter
https://paxlovid.pro/# paxlovid pill
do amoxicillin treat std amoxicillin for nose piercing infection can you take amoxicillin on an empty stomach
canada pharmacy: canadian pharmacy cheap medications – canadian online pharmacy
paxlovid covid: paxlovid for sale – Paxlovid over the counter