Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)

Subject: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,David Sutter
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 11:46 AM

I recently discovered the music of Joe and Eddie. These guys were really good with classically trained backgrounds. I know Joe died in the 60's, and hear Eddie is still around. Too bad there isn't that much on them on the web. Any Mudcatters see them live, meet them or catch their TV appearances in the 60's?

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 12:48 PM

I saw them a few months ago in a low-budget movie entitled "Hootenanny!" on Turner Classic Movies (US cable channel featuring commercial-free old movies). It was one of those exploitation "B" movies thrown together in a few weeks to capitalize on the latest pop-culture fad -- in this case, the folk "scare" revival.

Joe and Eddie performed their signature number, "There's a Meeting Here Tonight," which sounded familiar to me, prompting me to *think* I remembered them from the long-ago Sixties. Other groups (notably, the Limelighters) were also well-known for that same song, though, so I'm not absolutely sure whether I really did know of them in their heyday.

Their performance was *by far* the best thing in the film, to my taste. They seem to have been way ahead of their time, bringing some very freewheeling gospel-style soul harmony singing to the folk-revival format.

Other acts featured in the movie were The Brothers Four, Johnny Cash, Judy Henske, Shep Wooley, and.. well, that's all I can remember. Joe and Eddie were the best of the bunch -- their performace, in contrast to the others, was vibrant and energetic and did not seem at all dated or corny. (Well, Johnny Cash's brief appearance with the Tennessee Three wasn't bad.)

I was inspired to Google both "Joe and Eddie" and the film title shortly after seeing the movie. I learned that Joe and Eddie made several (vinyl LP) albums, not all of which made it to CD; I think there may be only a "best of" CD currently available, or maybe it's a 2-CD set. There was some interesting stuff about the movie, too, including reproductions of the original posters sent to theaters to promote "coming attractions."

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: SINSULL
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 01:37 PM

AllanC talks about this pair and may have some of their LPs. Hope he drops in. I will PM him.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:07 PM

I was disappointed that allmusic.com, my favorite reference source, doesn't even have their full names. But since "Eddie Brown" is given as the author of a couple of songs, maybe we can assume that Eddie's name was Brown?

It lists 6 original albums, all on the Crescendo label:
1964 - There's a Meetin' Here Tonight
1965 - Joe and Eddie Live in Hollywood
1965 - Tear Down the Walls
1965 - Walkin' Down the Line
1966 - The Magic of Their Singing
[no date] Coast to Coast

And one compilation, on the GNP label:
1967 - The Best of Joe & Eddie

Only the "Best of" album has been reissued as a CD (in 1997), and it is the only album for which allmusic provides a track list:

1 There's a Meetin' Here Tonite - Gibson - 2:40
2 Done Laid Around (Gotta Travel On) Clayton, Hayes, Hays, Seeger - 2:55
3 Children Go Where I Send Thee! - - 3:32
4 The Drinking Gourd - Campbell - 3:10
5 Lonesome Traveler - Hays - 2:23
6 The House of the Rising Sun - - 3:07
7 What's That I Hear? (Freedom Calling) - Ochs - 2:18
8 Willie Jean - Eddie Brown - 2:21
9 Mariah - Lerner, Loewe - 2:38
10 Down by the Riverside - - 2:44
11 Pearly Shells - Edwards, Pober, Williams - 1:47
12 Ox Driver's Song - Weaver, Weaver & Lomax - 3:03
13 The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - MacColl - 2:34
14 I Got Shoes - - 1:50
15 Summertime - Gershwin, Gershwin, Heyward - 3:17
16 Green Grass - - 2:17
17 Sing Hallelujah - Settle - 3:54
18 Roll On - - 2:50
19 Joshua - - 1:58
20 I'm a Drifter - Edmonson - 1:58
21 Michael, Row the Boat Ashore - Joe & Eddie, Baxter, Les Chorus 2:22
22 The Old Man - Kollander - 2:18
23 Work Song - Adderley, Brown - 2:55
24 Tzena, Tzena, Tzena - Issachar, Miron, Mitchell, Parish, Yehiel 2:08
25 The Things I've Saved - Edmonson - 2:49

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Cool Beans
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:14 PM

Joe Gilbert and Eddie Brown. And the movie was called "Hootenanny Hoot."

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Allan C.
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:26 PM

A former singing partner turned me onto Joe & Eddie just as they were gaining in popularity. Back then I could only afford one album of theirs (Coast to Coast) and I quite nearly played the grooves off it. On that album they sang such songs as, "Amen" "You Can Hear It If You Try" "Crawfish" "Joshua (Fit the Battle of Jerico)" and a particulary good arrangement of "The First Time". To this day I continue to perform two songs from that album, "Laurie (Standing In the Rain)" and "When We Were Very Young".

I am pleased to say that I was able to see them perform once at The Cellar Door in Washington, D.C.. The harmony and the energy of their performance were most especially evident in the spirituals they did. But then, there was nothing they sang that was anything other than excellent.

A compilation CD is available (as noted by Jim Dixon) but sadly doesn't include most of the songs I mentioned above. However, I've recently visited my former singing partner and discovered that she still has her collection of the original albums. It was wonderful to hear them once again! By the way, if you want to get that CD, be sure to support the Mudcat by clicking on the logo on the main forum page to find links to resources.

In another thread about this duo, I remarked that I had thought I was just about the only one I knew who had ever heard of these guys. Rick Fielding posted a response in which he said that Joe & Eddie's former bass player lived just up the street.

The abrupt end to this duo was truly unfortunate. I think they brought a new dimension to the world of folk music through their tight harmonies and through their wonderful choice of songs. They gave us the opportunity to hear lots of great traditional songs as well as many terrific folk-style songs of more recent years.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: PoppaGator
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 04:29 PM

Thanks, CB. I should have remembered the full film title -- it's only been a few months since I saw it.

I think I posted the same info/opinion about Joe and Eddie and their appearance in that movie in some other thread, within a day or two of seeing it on TV. Hope I got the title right that time; if I'm not mistaken, "Hootenanny Hoot" was the title of the really bad theme song as well as of the film itself.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: ddw
Date: 13 Dec 04 - 11:34 PM

This is bizarre. I hadn't thought of these guys in years until earlier today when I started thinking about whose music I want to save by transferring it from reel-to-reel tape to CDs and theirs popped into my mind.

I saw Joe & Eddie live in Oklahoma City, but I can't for the life of me remember if it was at The Buddhi (which was my favorite haunt in '62 and '63) or its successor as the folk scene center, The Sword and the Stone, in '65-'66.

What I do remember very clearly is one of the most energetic and tightly harmonized performances I've ever seen — in any genre of music. I haven't had my R-t-R tapes out in years, but I'm sure I've got at least one — maybe two — of their albums.

I just looked back at the dates/albums posted above and I must have seen them in '66, because I'd heard the albums before I heard them live and I was in Japan from late '63 to late '65.

Anyway, I add my voice to those singing their praises; fantastic singers and performers!

cheers,

david

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 14 Dec 04 - 12:06 AM

There were a few more 'original' Joe & Eddie albums (LPs, all on the Crescendo label) ... probable final tally:

"Joe & Eddie"
"There's a Meetin' Here Tonight" (in concert)
"Coast to Coast"
"Vol. 4"
"Tear Down the Walls"
"Live in Hollywood"
"Walkin' Down the Line"
"The Magic of Their Singing"
       and the compilations
"The Best of Joe & Eddie"
"The Gospel Truth"

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Elaina Jones
Date: 21 Dec 04 - 11:21 PM

I recently purchased a gospel CD by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and their wonderful harmony made me remember how much I used to love Joe & Eddie, and I went on line to see if I could find any of their music and I ordered the only one I could find. I am listening to it now and it made me wonder what become of them. Their talent was too great to have just disapeared. I thought maybe they had split up years ago and gone their separate ways. I decided to do a search & came upon your page where I learned of the death of Joe Gilbert. How sad for the world of beautiful music. I must have already moved from CA to PA when that happened. I am now more curious than ever to know more of what has become of Eddie Brown.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Arkie
Date: 22 Dec 04 - 01:22 PM

I have the Joe & Eddie "There's A Meeting Here Tonight" packed away somewhere. It has survived all my moves and I listened to it a lot back when I was listening to lps. I think hearing them on one of the Hootnanny programs inspired me to locate the album. I expected them to become more widely known in days when I was more naive about the music business.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Sharon
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 04:40 PM

Does anyone know if Eddie Brown, of Joe & Eddie, still sings? Did he get another partner, join another group?

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: Margret RoadKnight
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 07:40 PM

For a while Eddie Brown continued singing (even recorded) as a solo (never in a duo) without much success, after which he was involved in production.
There was a website with a lot of info based on an Eddie interview that seems to have disappeared ......

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: cobber
Date: 27 Dec 04 - 11:29 PM

I thought their version of "First tTime Ever I saw Your Face" was the best ever. I think it must have been the "Best of" album that I had (with a blue cover). We copied their version of First Time but were never able to achieve the standard they set.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 02:12 PM

My name is Paul Hansen and I opened for Joe and Eddie a number of times. The first time I met them was in Santa Barbara at a small club... I believe it was called the Iopan. We also did a concert at the Lebaro Theater. They asked me if I would open for them at a concert at the Riverside Hotel and I was delighted. We also performed together at The Buddhi in OK City. I learned the song, "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from Peggy Seeger (For whom it was written by Ewan McColl) and taught it to Joe and Eddie. They were both very nice guys and I enjoyed the time I knew them... [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Ed L
Date: 21 Aug 10 - 05:59 PM

I saw Joe Eddie perform live at the Mecca, The Golden Bear, and at Disneyland in 1963-65.They were phenomenal performers and really nice people..still listen to them and they sound great.I have every album on MP3 and love their music.

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Karen Foster
Date: 05 Jun 11 - 12:02 PM

Joe and Eddie kept me alive in '64. I was a semblance of 'Laurie'. Their music hit a spark in me and throughout a very difficult time in my life they kept me sane. I found my daughter who was given up for adoption and Joe and Eddie is on my computer . Thank God for them and their music. I love it all!

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:40 AM

A few vids on Youtube, including one of my favorites of theirs

dw

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:41 AM

ooops:

Children Go

There are a few others on Youtube.

dw

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 08:42 AM

Now I am getting ticked off:

Children Go

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 04:32 PM

Don't know if you know this but Joe died in a car crash on 8-6-1966 in So. Calif. They were the greatest and I have all of the albums...thanks

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Joe Loesch
Date: 24 Apr 12 - 12:53 AM

There was a "lip-sync'd" performance they did of "Meeting Here Tonight," in front a building, outside on steps. Used to be on YouTube. I wonder what show that is, or where it can be found? Because even though it's not "live," it really shows who is singing what on that record. I'd like one of my friends to "see" how 2 guys manage to sing like 4. Anyone got any clues?

Joe

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,Ted
Date: 17 Aug 13 - 03:01 AM

(Transcription)

There's A Meeting Here Tonight
Joe and Eddie (Joe Gilbert and Eddie Brown)
Bob Gibson
Gospel

There is a meetin' (x4)
There is a meetin' here tonight (x4)

Chorus:
Well, there's a meetin' here tonight
There's a meetin' here tonight
I can tell by your friendly face
There's a meetin' here tonight
(Alleluiah)
(Repeat Chorus)

Well I went down to the valley one day
(I went down to the valley one day)
I met old Satan on my way
(I met old Satan on my way)
What do you reckon old Satan could say?
(What do you reckon old Satan could say?)
Hey, turn back young man, you're too young to pray
You're too young to pray
You're too young to pray

Well, there's a meetin' tonight
I know, there's a meetin' here tonight
Yes, I can tell by your friendly face
There's a meetin' here tonight

There is a meetin'
There is a meetin'
There is a meetin' here tonight (x3)

(Repeat Chorus)

Well Satan is a man and I am glad
(Satan is a man and I am glad)
Lost his soul, is all he had
(Lost his soul, is all he had)
Satan is a liar and a conjurer too
(Satan is a liar and a conjurer too)
You better watch out brother, he'll conjure you
conjure you
conjure you

(Repeat Chorus)

Well, there is a meetin' here There is a meetin' here
There's a meetin' here tonight

Halleluiah!

Well, there is a meetin'
There is a meetin'
There's a meetin' here tonight

Well, there is a meetin'
There is a meetin'
There's a meetin' here tonight
There is a meetin' here tonight

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Aug 13 - 12:54 PM

@ GUEST,Joe Loesch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znj2aWAKLvw

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,California Guest
Date: 21 Nov 18 - 10:48 PM

Anyone have the lyrics to Laurie (Standing in the Rain)?

Subject: RE: Joe & Eddie (60's Folk Duo)
From: GUEST,trollin47
Date: 14 Dec 18 - 05:55 AM

Yes, I was fortunate to see Joe & Eddie at the Mecca Coffee House, Buena Park and at the Golden Bear, Huntington Beach, Ca. In the 1960’s. Hoyt Axton performed at these locations, too. Always enjoyed their songs. It was a sad day when Joe died in a car accident, if my memory serves me right. What memories we grew up with.