From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Mon Aug 12, 2002  1:17 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Joe Jones
 
JOE JONES

Born 12 August 1926, New Orleans, Louisiana

Singer / pianist / bandleader / songwriter / producer.
At the age of 19, Joe Jones already had his own band, which included
Melvin Lastie, Clarence Ford and Wilbur Hogan. In the early fifties he
worked as pianist / valet for B.B. King. He cut his first record in 1954,
for Capitol ("Adam Bit The Apple"/"Will Call"). Nothing happened, but
Joe continued to travel with his band throughout the nation. His second
record was "When Your Hair Has Turned To Silver"/"You Done Me Wrong",
with Earl Palmer as A&R for Herald (1957). In March 1958 he did two
sessions for Roulette, resulting in two single releases. Particularly good
was the second one, "To Prove My Love To You" (Roulette 4087), a driving
number in the Fats Domino style, with exciting sax work. His big moment
came in 1960 with "You Talk Too Much", produced by Harold Battiste and
originally recorded for Joe Ruffino's Ric label, but purchased by Roulette.
It got to # 3 in the Hot 100 and # 9 on the R&B charts. The follow-up, "One
Big Mouth", was too obviously based on the hit record and flopped badly,
but in 1961 "California Sun" crept in at # 89 (a remake by The Rivieras
would peak at # 5 in 1964). Roulette released a good album which contained
old and new material. His short chart run was over though.
After 15 years in the business as bandleader, Joe decided to concentrate
on publishing and management. One of his acts, The Dixie Cups, scored a
# 1 in 1964 with "Chapel Of Love", arranged and co-produced by Joe.
In the seventies he moved to L.A., promoting New Orleans musicians who
were living in California.

CD: You Talk Too Much : The Best Of Joe Jones (Sequel NEM 672).
26 Roulette recordings.