Cousin Joe

The tellin' "How Come My Dog Don't Bark At You No More," off the Gospel-Wailing, Jazz-Playing, Rock N' Rollin' Soul-Shouting, Tap-Dancing Bluesman From New Orleans album released in 1974 on Big Bear Records, epitomizes Pleasant Joseph b.k.a. Cousin Joe classic piano blues style. Joe's a pioneering blues singer born December 20, 1907 in Wallace, Louisiana, 30 miles from New Orleans. His family moved to New Orleans when Joe was 12; he had a religious upbringing (Baptist) but soon hung around and absorbed himself in the jazz played in clubs. Joe took up guitar and ukulele, and made a living playing on the Riverboats in the 30's. By 1941, he'd moved to St. Louis to play in Sidney Bechet's band, before shuffling to New York three years later. This was Joe's most fruitful recording period, he waxed many memorable songs during this era under countless names: Smiling Joe, Pleasant Joe, Brother Joshua, and Cousin Joe, are the ones I know about. The blues man recorded for a myriad of labels too, including King, Gotham, Philo, Savoy and Decca. In NY he worked with stars like Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Earl Bostic, Clark Terry, Lightnin' Hopkins, and others. He returned to New Orleans in 1947 and found employment in the clubs and joints in the 50s and 60's with an occasional European tour thrown in to break the monotony. He spent the 70's in semi- retirement. Joe's first singing gig was at the ripe old age of seven, hustling offerings in church. He would do his little thing and the pastor would ask for another offering for Joe. The gig ended a year later when Joe refused to join the church. As 17-year-old Smiling Joe, he played the fish fries held in peoples' backyards on Saturday nights, they served other food, but call them fish fries because the catfish cake was the most...