From:   "Dik de Heer"
Date:  Sat Dec 21, 2002  7:11 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Cousin Joe
 
COUSIN JOE (By Phil Davies)

Born Joseph Pleasant, 20 December 1907, Wallace, Louisiana

Died 2 October 1989, New Orleans, Louisiana.

AKA Brother Joshua and Smilin' Joe.

Moved to New Orleans at an early age, as a youth worked in the country cutting
sugar cane. Sang in church and also wrote hymns. Played the ukulele and guitar
on sports trips. He taught himself to play the piano and started entertaining at
parties and clubs in NO, where he formed a band called the Jazz Jesters. He
travelled to Dallas and Cincinnati in the 30s, playing blues and returned to NO
before going in New York in 1942.

There he worked backing jazz artists like Sidney Bechet , and singing with Earl
Bostic and Tiny Grimes. His early recordings came out as by Pleasant Joe ( (Saw
Mill Man Blues), then as Brother Joshua (Lightning Struck The Poorhouse). He
recorded for several labels such as King Jazz, Gotham, Philo Alladin, Savoy,
Flip and Imperial and Decca between 45 and 54 but chart success eluded him.

Tired of the drug scene in New York he wisely returned to NO and worked in clubs
in the French Quarter through the 50s and early 60s. His career took off when he
toured the UK as part of the Blues & Gospel Train, alongside Muddy Waters and
Rev. Blind Gary Davis. He appeared alongside the others on UK tv. I think he
appeared on the Blues Station Granada tv show. Joe toured Europe occasionally
into the mid 80s.

I saw him on a Big Bear Blues Package whilst in college in Bangor North Wales.
He was very funny on stage and told some great stories and sang songs like How
Come My Dog Don't Bark When You Come Round? and You Ain't So Such A Much. He
recorded for Big Bear and French label Black & Blue whilst on tour. In the US he
cut sides for Bluesway. In 1985 he cut his final lp Relaxin' In NO for Great
Southern and in 87 University of Chicago Press published his autobiography
Cousin Joe, Blues From New Orleans. He died of natural causes in NO in 1989.

Recommended Reading:

His Autobiog mentioned above

Recommended Listening:

Bad Luck Blues - Evidence

71 session with Jimmy Dawkins and Gatemouth Brown aiding

Cousin Joe From NO In His Prime - Oldies