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 Cousin Joe's classic piano blues style.
Joe's a pioneering blues singer born December 20, 1907 in Wallace, LA, 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. 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 '60s with an occasional European tour thrown in to break the monotony. He spent the '70s in semi-retirement.
- Backing Vocals – Dyan Birch, Frank Collins, Paddy McHugh*
- Bass – Graham Gallery
- Clarinet – Johnny Barnes
- Drums – Peter York*
- Guitar – Roger Hill
- Piano, Vocals – Cousin Joe
- Producer – Jim Simpson
- Saxophone – Mike Burney
- Trombone – George Chisholm
- Trumpet – Colin Smith
A1 When A Woman Loves A Man
A2 Checkin' Out
A3 Touch Me
A4 I Got News For You
A5 Too Late To Turn Back Now
A6 Lipstick Traces
B1 Railroad Avenue
B2 You Talk Too Much
B3 Barefoot Boy
B4 How Come My Dog Don't Bark
B5 Night Life
