Poor Working Slob by Joanna and Ray Scudero

com/scudero), contain many of the songs that have made him so popular and loved within the folk community in Israel. They also provide a good deal of insight into the man, his feelings and his love of life. Several of the songs on Poor Working Slob were written by Ray's wife, Joanna, and express the profound love that she feels for him. Both Ray and Joanna waited over forty years to meet each other, and have been struck with this sadness after knowing each other for only three years.

Below, you will find more information about this CD, and about Ray and Joanna.

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Contemporary folk music is alive and well and, in the case of Poor Working Slob, entirely innovative.

Joanna and Ray perform splendidly together, singing original songs that cover the entire spectrum of emotions and are expressed in moods that run from contemplative to whimsical.

"Joanna and Ray Scudero wow the crowds..." writes Barry Davis of the Jerusalem Post. "The only thing more fun than performing with Ray is recording with Ray," says Joanna, and the fun they have is evident in the title track of their CD, Poor Working Slob.

Ray is a veteran of the Greenwich Village early folk days. His extensive travel experiences have contributed to a deep sack of story-seeds that are sown through the lines of his songs.

Sam Orbaum of the Jerusalem Post writes, "[Ray Scudero is] a prolific songwriter and poet..." and, referring to Ray's song, The Sky Has Broken (included on Ray's CD, With the Help of Angels), "The song electrified. He performed it solo, a cappella, with nothing but his emotive voice. The audience was enthralled. That song was the hit of the evening."

Joanna's passionate penchant for lilting lyrics led her to performing songwriter Ray Scudero, who encouraged her to sing and write to her heart's content. The result was a marriage, literally, and in the form of creative collaboration.

Her songs are driven by the passion that propelled her through her many years in classical ballet, and by the love of the people in her life that grew as she raised her children and keenly felt the same ups and downs that we all experience.

The resultant CD, Poor Working Slob, speaks to the common Joe. It includes songs that make you laugh, long for the sea, remember and ponder. The entire project is the co-operative effort of the Scuderos, and their sound is all their own. Adding to the artistry of the project is the use of fine (and unusual) fretted instruments that were conceived and built by Ray Scudero himself.

Judith Ganchrow, reviewer for FolkNotes writes, "The harmonies are full on these songs, with multiple overlapping tracks carrying [the] voice and strings [that are] provided by the two artists, [who are] doing the songs as the writers (the same two artists) intended."

"This CD is world class," says Larry Rosenfeld, manager of the Karmiel Folk Klub.

Enjoy the music, and don't keep it a secret.

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