Juana Camilleri: Press

"... The next set on my side was Bob Shoemaker, sounding a lot like Elmore James and featured Juana Camilleri. a local singer/songwriter who sang some originals. Very well received set. Bob has been absent from the local scene for a while so it was great to hear him again. This was followed on the North Stage by Jessee Samsel and CrossTown Traffic ..."

"The Bob Shoemaker Band will finish their set with special guest, Juana Camilleri, a local songwriter who will sing some originals. Juana and Bob have been performing original rock together for three years and are recording their first CD, titled "Finding Mississippi." Juana was born in Spain, raised in New York, and has been living in Portland Oregon for fifteen years. She is the daughter of New York jazz trumpet player, Charlie Camilleri."

"Juana Camilleri is busy working on a new CD and performing with a new band. I sat in with her at the Green Room a few weeks ago and was one of four guitarists supporting this popular and insightful entertainer. Juana has a Friday night "Juana Jam" at Jax on SW 2nd in the old Yamhill Marketplace. Contrary to its name, the Juana Jam actually features a pre-determined line-up, hand picked by the hostess with the mostess (sorry) and the shows are always full-length and yet by the end of the night still seem too short.

Juana will also be hosting a wonderful Christmas Eve show at the Starbucks next to Zupans on North West 23rd and Burnside. Get there early. The show will start in the late afternoon."

Saturday, Jan 3
JAM

Juana Jam with the Juana Camilleri Band, Trio Latino, Bob Shoemaker and Amy McCaa

"Local rockin' chick Juana Camilleri hosted this popular, successful and sublimely named showcase/jam session for several months last year at another venue before taking a break. It's good to see her show's back on the road, both for the great artists she attracts - such as fearsomely talented steel-guitar bluesman Bob Shoemaker - and for her own striking, strident pop-folk songs."

(JR)
Juana Camilleri Berbati's Pan, 231 SW Ankeny St.

"...Speaking of famous singer/songwriters, Juana Camilleri and Bob the "Blues Monster" Shoemaker are back home in Portland after a series of grueling cross-country tours, culminating on Martha's Vineyard, Juana's second home. Juana is hiding out in her new studio, working no doubt on more of her hauntingly beautiful yet addictive songs of life, love and her deep insight into the human soul and spirit, welcome back Juana."

"After a trek to the Big Apple in search of musical fulfillment, singer/songwriter Juana Camilleri was back in Portland to prove to the public something I have known since first hearing her last year: she just keeps getting better! Of course last time around she was simply "Juana" or "Juana and Friends," but as she will freely admit, the band situation is an ever-evolving thing. This particular incarnation proved to be one of the strongest yet. Personally, I hope this one stays together for the duration. I mean, how can a lovely and original performer like Juana go wrong when she has enlisted the local talents of Bob Shoemaker on guitar and vocals, Towney Angell on bass, and Alec Burton on drums. Together they mesh like the fine teeth of a gear in a Swiss Watch. Shoemaker's extremely tight accentual guitar licks weave in and out of the songs, and he offers vocal accompaniment which compliments Juana's voice impeccably.

Now, Juana is cool - she writes all her own songs based on the expereinces of your average traveling musician. Her voice is sultry and personal, and she delivers the tunes with attitude and conviction, as anyone who has caught any of her shows at the clubs around town will attest to. She flows through her songs from her Palisades album, dips back to her Now album, and always seems to have a little something extra to give, be it a new number she has just written, or road-testing new material - whatever comes to her.

Be sure to catch the Juana Camilleri Band at a bar near you."

"Juana Camilleri came back to Portland for a short visit and two shows in May. Juana has a killer new band, built for her by Portland Blues Legend, Bob Shoemaker. The band includes soft-touch drummer Alec Burton ... "

Juana - Palisades
CD Juana C Records

"This is a two for one CD. With her rich alto voice, singer songwriter Juana rides out of the sunset with her loping rythms and dark cowgirl persona. The distinctive, almost whining electric violin licks of Chris Murphy, along with bassist Ted Kamp and drummer Sean Shacklett says only one thing, "Ponticello."

For all intents and purposes, Juana has the band Ponticello backing her up. Nice! They are a perfect match. Ponticello's characteristically dark production is apparent on this CD as well. The vocal effects that Ted Kamp usually sings through, Juana is singing through instead.

Like a modern day Annie Oakley, Juana's songs have a gallop to them hinting toward alt country with a pop enhanced song structure. Singing through the Ponticello trademark effects, Juana's voice works well, but barely peaking out off the compression, her rich tones beg to be uncovered.

Juana's songs draw a listener in with interesting story lines and her distinctively rich vocals. Track 1, "Rearranging Strange" starts off with droning harmony bass linesthat are juxtaposed against Chris Murphy's psychedelic violin, and driven home by a pounding kick and snare drum. The playing compliments Juana's lyrics while her voice paints the story.

Palisades is a masterpiece and a rare treat."

"Singer Songwriter Diva, Juana Camilleri has teamed up with staple Portland blues monster, Bob Shoemaker in a new band called Juana Camilleri and Bob Shoemaker?

All kidding aside, this is a sweet mix from a sweet mix. As you might have figured out, I'm a big Juana fan basically because she can write like nobody's business compared to most of us, but with the added soulful touch Bob applies to her music, it's almost too much to handle. Juana's got the gift of lyric and Bob's got the shinny Dobros, an old tele and a lot of soul. Good match Juana and Bob!"

"I caught two excellent acts on the N.W. 23rd Music Millennium stage, Tinhorn, a four-piece band with a nice feel for writing smooth but hot songs, and Juana Camilleri, a singer-songwriter who was born in Mallorca, Spain and raised in New York. The daughter of a prominent jazz musician, Juana quite possibly could be one of the best talents I've heard in a long time and I recommend her upcoming Tuesday night show at The Bitter End on West Burnside as a great week night ear treat. Bring a date or a friend for a very special trip through the mind and soul of a gifted and beautiful songwriter indeed."