One of the more obscure recording artists from the New Orleans’ area, but frustratingly, one of the best and least recorded. Joe made only 7 45s in the 1960s for various labels that were affiliated with Allen Toussaint. His voice is somewhat reminiscent of Willie West, but in a slightly smokier baritone. Perhaps best known for his 2 part single, Moanin’ and Screamin’, but also took on edgier material, such as the zither introduced song, Fair Play. Joe was born, and raised in a small town about 40 minutes to the west of NO, LaPlace. During his short recording career, he made a good living as an auto mechanic (same as Lee Dorsey) in his hometown, given its proximity to chemical plants and refineries, and the constant need for repair and maintenance work on their trucks and machinery. Given the steady pay from those endeavors, Joe was apparently hesitant to give that up for the uncertainty of a career in the music business. Although only rumored, part of this hesitancy may have also been the influence that Ernie K-Doe had on Allen Toussaint. Both K-Doe and Joe were managed by Toussaint, and K-Doe was allegedly intimidated by Joe’s early recordings and supposedly used his influence over Toussaint (remember, Mother-In-Law was a gigantic hit at that time) to get him to not push Maryland’s career choice. These singles are the entire Diamond Joe recording legacy; he never recorded a proper album. Enjoy gents!
Pmac.
I can tell you now this is a brilliant collection !..only recognise 3 from the Northern Scene
AMM
Courtesy Of Pmac....Thank You!
The Tasters!
35 comments:
I`m intrigued and in need of hearing this...great review and write up!THANKS PMac and AMM!
Cheers!
Bill(b3will@msn.com)
Good to hear from New Orleans again! Thanks for review, P.
The stories behind the music are often really interesting. What might have been!
Don't know much about this chap, good review Pmac & AMM
New to me, thanks for the share AMM!
New to me MM, thank you Pmac. & yourself MM for the review.
cheers,ELtel
Great job,Pmac. Love these obscure, great singers. Many thanks.
This chap is unknown to me, thanks for this review
I'm missing some of this underrated New Orleans singer.
Thank you Pmac
Yves
great review many thanks AMM
It's stuff like this why I love this blog. Thanks, Pmac & AMM!
Thnaks PMac for this review.- unknown to me.
Obscure? New Orleans? Yes please.
Certainly looks interesting, thanks AMM & Pmac for these rarities.
Thank you for the review mate - looking forward to this a lot
Only heard Moanin' And Screamin' but if the rest are anywhere near as good.....
Uuuh... I join bigcravings in this point, Yes please ! :) ☀️✌🏻☮️
Thank you very much AMM & Pmac For This Album,Much Appreciated
thanks for this pmac and amm
Thank you Pmac and AMM. The Sansu label is recommendation enough for me (but the samplers help too)!
Thank you Pmac, for the review!!
many thank Pmac & AMM for this review, looks interesting Reb
Sorry there's not more to this one, but its quite literally everythng he recorded. Moanin' and Screamin and Fair Play (to me, its one of the greatest, obscure, 45s I've ever heard) got some local airplay in NO. There used to be a music series called the Ponderosa Stomp held annually in NO over a 2 day period, that would bring back these long forgotten artists. Around 2004, Joe was in the line-up for it, but ultimately he canceled.
Glad everyone is excited for this one. I have another unknown NO artist, who left the music scene to become a horse drawn coach tour guide in the French Quarter (says alot about the music industry, doesn't it?), but need to check about the quantity and quality of the cuts I have. Stay tuned, and, thanks, AMM for all that you do for us, and giving us such a wonderful site.
new name for me,curious for this review
Thanks Pmac and AMM for the review its new to me looking forward to it
First rate sides-thanks
Thanks Pmac and Amm for great review
Now this looks very interesting new to Me looking forward to the review thanks pmac and AMM for the review
Thanks Pmac and Amm for this great collection. Again another great collaboration. thank you AMM for encouraging such finds.
Very nice collection from Pmac which collects the remaining tracks missing from Diamond Joe / Willie West – Moanin' & Screamin'
Label: P-Vine Records – PLP-508
Many thanks for the info ,the classic Moanin' & Screamin' and other 4 new for me
Thanks AMM and Pmac for this review of this unknown artist
Thanks Pmac and AMM. I only know some 45's -and they are great.
Big thanks to Pmac for this slice of soul history and thanks to AMM
Cheers Pedro
Only heard "How to pick a winner" before but always wanted to hear more by him, thanks AMM.
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