Real Life Real Faith Men of Faith November/December | Page 16

FEATURE

PAGE 16

INTERVIEW

R & B LEGEND JOE
IN THE MUSIC GAME A LONG TIME AND
STILL GOING STRONG
In retrospect of looking back over the past
twenty years, R&B superstar JOE Thomas
crosses BRIDGES. The crooner’s new Album
clearly defines his new outlook on life’s
relationships and where they have taken him.
Why “BRIDGES”?
We build them, cross them, burn them, then
soon realize how much we need them” - JOE
-“

Relationships are Bridges and at some point
in life we must take full responsibility for
where we have allowed those relationships to
take us. Most important, what relationships or
BRIDGES are we building, crossing into or
burning?”
“

The Album is described as therapeutic and
open. “I must confess I’ve had my share of girls
in my lifetime – honestly I’ve been on the
wildest rides and maybe I should slow it down”
are the opening lines of the Album’s
introduction single – ‘LOVE & SEX’ PT. 2 which
features the beautiful KELLY ROWLAND of
Destiny’s Child and X-Factor fame. The single is
widely and well received at Urban AC radio and

video (directed by veteran director Bille
Woodruff) with a strong reminiscence of the
SOS Band days. Part one featured American
Idol Fantasia and was featured on the singer’s
2013 Album release Double Back, (Evolution of
R&B) which debuted #1 on the Billboard R&B
charts and #6 on Billboard Top 200.
When asked why the choice of Kelly over
Fantasia, the R&B singer is very adamant that
there is and never was a choice per say or
comparison in his mind between the two. “Both
are equally talented and beautiful”. If I had to
describe in keeping with the concept of
BRIDGES, (think of it this way), every major
bridge has different levels or entrances when
going across them. Your choice depends on the
direction you’re going in. Both Kelly and
Fantasia were necessary because I needed to go
into two different directions for this
particularsong.
I won’t call it a journey. That is for people to
decide. I will say that it is heartfelt and relatable
to past or present circumstances for any listener
who embarks on BRIDGES. It is uplifting,fun
and thought provoking. The biggest comment
for those that I have played Bridges for is that
one, you never feel like you have to skip over a
particular song and that each song is enjoyable
or as they say, “it reminds me of when I ….” That