The New CD

I Love Hamburgers is the third release by New Jersey based songwriter Joe Giacoio.  

On this album Joe’s quirky and often humorous songs are showcased in a gorgeous Folk/Americana/Country setting. The CD was produced by flat-picking champion and multi-instrumentalist Bob Harris (Johnny Cash, Vassar Clements) who also plays guitar, mandolin, banjo and other instruments.  The album features special guests Gary Oleyar on fiddle (Loggins and Messina), Dobro player Rob Ickes (Blue Highway) and Michael Ronstadt on cello, among others.

 

I Love Hamburgers covers topics such as geographical cures, Life’s Big Questions and “Don’t try this at home” courtship techniques. The title track contains the most oddball (and unsuccessful) declaration of love ever heard: “I love you more than old guitars, Planet of the Apes and baseball cards / I love you more than hamburgers / and I LOVE hamburgers.”

 

Giacoio’s talent for more serious writing is evident in "In Gods Image" which tells the true story of a New York City mother who publicly forgave the boys who killed her son in a hate crime. This song was almost removed from the album after the June 2015 Charleston Shootings, as Joe feared that the degree of evil done in Charleston precluded any possibility of an equivalent act of mercy and that the song would now seem too simplistic and naive.  However, the South Carolina victims' parents courageously then did the exact same thing. 

 

"Barometer" explores the intersection of magical thinking, depression and meteorology. Everybody complains about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Except the character in this song.

Joe Giacoio, from New Jersey, has managed to take his quirky humorous songs and showcase them in a gorgeous Americana setting. Much of the credit goes to multi-instrumentalist producer Bob Harris, with special mention from me to Dobro player Rob Ickes — absolutely hellacious chops! Joe has always been extremely clever and it’s a pleasure to hear his songs get such quality treatment. The title track contains the most oddball (and unsuccessful) declaration of love ever heard: I love you more than old guitars, Planet of the Apes and baseball cards / I love you more than hamburgers / and I LOVE hamburgers. We love hamburgers (and these songs), too, Joe.” - Richard Cucarro

— Acoustic Live

I LOVE your CD. You did an amazing job of reinventing yourself without compromising the depth and quality of your material. I think "No Place Like Home" has the potential to be a (Loudon Wainwright’s) “Dead Skunk”type of crossover hit.  Your country vocal delivery on that one in particular is amazing, but there are a number of great songs both serious and funny.” - Rob Lincoln, Presenter

— Philadelphia Area Songwriter's Association House Concert Series

Your songs were clever, fun, and well crafted. ” - Claudia Nygard

— Email

Some people seem to have the ability to create music that is at the same time funny, serious, and incredibly clever. Joe Giacoio is one of those people” - Jonathon Colcord

— CROSSROADS Magazine

Joe's percussive, two-handed guitar ninja acrobatics provide plenty of amazement. His songs show you life from a delightfully skewed point of view, until you realize that the songs are straight; it's life that's crooked.”

— The Hudson Valley Folk Guild Newsletter

Joe's technique on the guitar is breathtaking: two hands all over the neck and body -- like an excited teenager in the back seat of a Buick. Unorthodox yet dazzling. He even mixes in a few instrumentals. But we highly recommend that you listen to Joe's lyrics; the wordplay is at the same time funny, serious and incredibly clever. And the humorous stories include quite a bit of relevant metaphors about important things in life.” - Scott Moore

— Moore In The House House Concert Series

I first met the late Michael Hedges at a jam session in the early 80s, and I was knocked out by his willingness to let go of all the previous rules in his approach to the guitar. Ten years later, I had the same feeling when I first heard Joe Giacoio. In a world of imitators, he set out to be original and innovative, and succeeded. It's impossible to watch him play without being influenced by his new and refreshing technique.” - Pete Kennedy

— Email

Songwriter singularly autoironico, and pleasantly equipped.” - As translated by Altavista's Italian to English translator.

— REFUGEE Magazine (Italy)