info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)

Subject: Joe King - and info?
From: GUEST,jon doeringer
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 09:59 PM

In 1983, we were playing at some festival. I met a guy from maritime Canada named Joe King. He had a great voice, and he gave me a tape for the radio show I did in Pittsburgh. The tape vanished at some point.
He did a nice version of a John Denver song he reworked - 'almost heaven, Nova Scotia'...
But my favorite song started out

'I followed her down to a small fishing village on the cold New Brunswick shore.
The boarding house lady just leaned on her cane, said she don't live here any more'...

Anyone know the song, or the lyrics? Or have any info on Joe? I'd appreciate any replies. Thanks! jondoe888 - gmail
(not sure if this site sends me an emailed response)

Subject: RE: Joe King
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 10:31 PM

You should join Mudcat, then you can trace the thread and check back, and people can send you Personal Messages though the system.

SRS

Subject: RE: Joe King
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 10:35 PM

I did various searches using the song lyrics and the name "Joe King" - I come up with one hit, a singer with some Halifax links:

http://joekinguk.com/ - he is in the UK now, but if you look at his "about" page, he seems to be from Halifax.

http://joekinguk.com/about-joe/

And here's another one: http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/joe%20king

SRS

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 11:29 AM

The UK Joe King is not the same person who was asked about. Joe King came from the Cheticamp area of Cape Breton but performed for many years in Ontario. Joe King is also just a stage name for this performer.
I have a mutual friend who can supply more information and I'll ask him to drop by this thread.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 14 Apr 13 - 12:01 PM

Good! This is such a common name that sorting through and making sense of Google results would probably take quite a while.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: Howard Kaplan
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 02:11 PM

I often saw the Joe King in question attending the Flying Cloud Folk Club in Toronto. Neither Joe nor the club is still with us. I passed on this question to Jim Armour, who has been active in the folk community here for a long time. Here's what Jim wrote back:

The question does sound like it relates to Joe Le Blanc (Joe King). He was fond of changing the words to established songs to fit Nova Scotia. (I know of at least one other.)

Joe died August 23, 2007.

Re: the lyrics that are quoted ("I followed her down..."): I'm pretty sure they're from a Dave Essig song called "High Ground." It's one of those love-lost, heart-wringing songs of tragedy that Joe loved so much, and I know I've heard him sing it on at least one occasion.

Joe did make some recordings on his Rainbow Records, but I can't remember if he ever made any CDs. As I recall they were mainly 45s and LPs.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,jon doeringer
Date: 22 Apr 13 - 12:47 AM

Thanks for the responses! I remember he said Joe King wasn't his real name. LeBlanc? Maybe. I tried google and youtube, but had no luck. They kept suggesting Matt LeBlanc...
I know I have the lyrics to the song, in some notebook or computer file. Thanks for all the information on this semi-obscure singer with the common name. Sorry to hear he died, but sometimes that's the price for asking.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 May 17 - 12:00 AM

I think the requested song is Albert's Cove, written by David Essig.

Here's David Essig's High Ground, the title song of the album.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,John Macc
Date: 10 Aug 17 - 08:21 PM

Joe King was a folk singer. I met him in Ontario at the Cape Breton dances. He had guitar with Joe King carved into the neck. I have a Cassette of his music "Joe King Sings Songs of the Maritimes" And yes it was Albert's Cove.

I followed her tracks to a small fishing village on the cold New Brunswick shore
And the boarding house lady just leaned on her cane, and said she don't live here any more
She could tell I was cold as she stood in the doorway. She invited me in for a warm cup of tea
She said sit down young man, I want to tell you a story
The young girl you see was like a daughter to me

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,jondoe
Date: 01 Jul 21 - 02:19 PM

Thank you all. Yes, it was Alber's Cove! And thanks for the origins. I found 2 versions, but I'm an ungrateful lout - I don't think either match Joe's version. Music is a funny thing - some songs grab you, others don't. But that story lives, or should live on.
But at least I now have one, to remember. I always thought the lyrics were searing, with even an eerie hint of 'Ode to Billy Joe'...
And John M - that is probably the cassette he gave me. And maybe I remember his guitar? If you had a CD, I'd ask you to post or email it. But cassettes are like ancient technology.

RIP, Joe. I always enjoyed singing this song. I hope I did it justice!

I've always had a soft spot for these mournful songs. Like David Wilcox's 'Jamie's Secret'. It takes the air out of me each time I hear it. https://youtu.be/nRvw89QxVKY

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 01 Jul 21 - 05:10 PM

"As a guitar player, Albert met many people and other musicians. He played at countless parties with Albert Chiasson, Gérard (à Moise) Romard, Cameron Chisholm, Chester Delaney, his uncles, and later on even Cayouche and so forth. Whether in Toronto or back home, he played every chance he could. In 1969, entertainer, Lionel (à Marie Louise) LeBlanc better known as Joe King, decided to record his songs and asked Albert to play on the recording. Another dream come true for him, to play in a live studio. The record was titled: Anything’s Better Than Nothing featuring Joe King and Corinne Cee. Better known to us as Corinne Camus. Members of the band were: Albert Poirier (rhythm), Léopold Chiasson (fiddle), Rod McMullen (guitar), Ernie Parker (drums), John Cadeau (steel) and Cecil Grainger (bass)."

That is from

https://www.invernessoran.ca/entertainment/1511-acadian-musician-albert

That bit of info may lead further.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 01 Jul 21 - 05:15 PM

Also please see item #13 pretty close to the bottom of the page that opens:

https://www.backtothesugarcamp.com/319-mar16-20.html

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 02 Jul 21 - 10:13 AM

There is a picture of Joe King (Lionel LeBlanc) at

https://www.invernessoran.ca/entertainment/661-highland-guitar-society

if indeed it is the same person being asked about on this thread.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 03 Jul 21 - 09:18 PM

The following is from

https://www.invernessoran.ca/entertainment/661-highland-guitar-society

There was a special guest at last week’s session, a gentleman who was inspired to write an ode several years ago to the Highland Guitar Society, Tom Hill of Vermont.

***********************************

"Ode to the Highland Guitar Society" written by Tom Hill

They come to town, guitars in hand, from every walk of life.
Folks from away just passing through, the farmer and his wife.
The old ones with their memories, the young ones starting out,
Expect to laugh in sheer delight, expect to cheer and shout.

Leona in the kitchen, and greeting at the door.
The volunteers who pour the tea and make the cakes and more.
Did I mention this provender is free to one and all?
(I doubt you'd get a deal like that in old Carnegie Hall).

There's Bill MacDonald: founder, sound man, keeper of the flame,
Try to find a music buff who doesn't know his name.
Likewise. try to find someone whose hand Bill hasn't shaken
A stranger are you. friendless here? Stranger, you're mistaken.

But if you only plan to watch, and maybe clap your hands.
I warn you: Bill has eagle eyes and may have other plans.
Walk in there with an instrument; he'll spot you in a flash.
Before you know it, there you are displaying your panache.

Ballads from the old world and ballads of the sea,
Work songs from the hills and fields, are sung out strong and free.
Those sad old country classics may bring a tear or two.
Until some whipper-snapper belts out something fresh and new

As Robert Burns observed: though much is taken. much abides.
You still can hear the skirling pipes along the mountainsides.
So head on down to Judique, let the music set you free.
Celebrate. oh celebrate – and don't be late for tea!

END

PS I have no idea what the melody is nor can I easily locate any info about this song's author, not that I expect anyone will really give a damn.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 05 Jul 21 - 08:57 PM

I was a member of the Highland Guitar Society for many years. The Lionel LeBlanc shown in the picture posted July 2nd is not Joe King. The Lionel in the picture is a fine performer in his own right and is also a luthier and violin maker of note.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,#
Date: 06 Jul 21 - 09:07 AM

Thank you, Sandy. I wish you'd been along sooner.

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,John Macc
Date: 21 Apr 22 - 12:20 PM

GUEST:jondoe
Sorry, I ran across this thread and you requested a CD.
I don't remember what I did with that request?
I don't have a CD but I did digitize the cassette.
So if you still want it I can eMail you the .MP3's
I still listen to it, especially "Will You Love me when I'm old and feeble", which I now am!

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,jondoe
Date: 22 Apr 22 - 08:34 AM

Please, John Macc. I'd love a copy. [e-mail]

Old and feeble? - I lived in Provincetown in the late 60's, on the tip of Cape Cod. I used to love walking down the little streets in the summer, with music drifting out of many windows. Bookends always haunted me. And now that I am in my 70's, I understand it so much better.
In thoughts or music, 'Preserve your memories; They're all that's left you'...

Subject: RE: info on: Joe King (from Maritime Canada)
From: GUEST,MarcNovaScotia
Date: 05 Aug 22 - 08:30 PM

Hi, John Macc. Is there any chance you can email me those MP3's as well? I was born and raised in Cheticamp (Joe King's hometown) and grew up listening to my parents' Joe King albums. I would love to gift my dad with a copy of some of his songs. [e-mail]

PLEASE & THANK YOU!!