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Joe took up steel in 1970, after falling in love with the sounds he heard
in country rock bands such as The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers,
and The New Riders of the Purple Sage. He bought an old Fender 400 and
learned a weird tuning that he abandoned a year later when he got a double-neck
ZB. Within a few years he was making a living playing local "sit-down"
gigs.
In the late '70s Joe joined the Billy C. Farlow Band (Billy C. had been
the lead singer with Commander Cody). They toured the West Coast extensively
and even made it to the Armadillo Club, in Austin. Back in the Bay Area
in the early "Urban Cowboy" '80s, Joe played to packed houses
with the Texas Chainsaw Band. He recently played the Montreaux Jazz Festival
in Switzerland with Atlantic label artist Jim Lauderdale.
Joe has recorded with many artists, including Laurie Lewis, David Byrne,
and the Usual Suspects (a nine-album project of eclectic Bay Area music
and musicians). Joe has backed Taj Mahal, Maria Muldaur, Peter Rowan,
Norton Buffalo, as well as played on a recent Mike Bloomfield session.
Lloyd Green was Joe's earliest influence, with Lloyd's Hit Sounds album
remaining a favorite. Joe has combined his years of playing country with
his rock & roll roots. He plays the steel the way we like to hear
it, with feeling and expression, but says, "There's no point in my
recording "Mansion On The Hill" when twenty guys have already
done it."
-Tom Bradshaw
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CD:
Item #CD-JG01
$13.00
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"The Goldmark Roundup"
When I was learning to play pedal steel in San Francisco in the
70's, Joe Goldmark was one of my idols. He was an excellent country-rock
player in the local club scene, and a virtual encyclopedia of steel
guitar knowledge.
Between 1977 and 1981, Joe released three albums that really blew
my mind. Backed by top-notch rock musicians, Joe recorded modern
and experimental music unlike anything that I had heard before from
the pedal steel. This compilation CD pulls together Joe's own favorites
from those three LPs. These tracks are required listening for anyone
interested in the genesis of country-rock steel.
-b0b-
- Steel Guitar Parade
- Vertigo
- Kathi's Tune
- Ocean View Dr.
- Snake Eyes
- Just Idling
- And Your Bird Can Sing
- You Are Everything
- Telstar Stomp
- Rumble
- Chocolate
- Alison
- More today Than Yesterday
- Harlem Nocturne
- Get It
- Romeo & Juliet
- East Bay Express
- Jet Lag
- My Mother's Eyes
- John Henry
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CD:
Item #CD-JG02
$13.00
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"Steelin' The Beatles"
I couldn't have come up with a better selection of Beatles tunes.
Joe assembled some of the best rock musicians in the San Francisco
Bay Area for this set. The steel playing is perfect (of course!),
and a bit more conservative than his wild albums from the seventies.
I especially like "Flying", one of the Beatles few instrumentals.
-b0b-
- Day Tripper
- The Night Before
- I'm Only Sleeping
- You Can't Do that
- Awaiting On You All
- Flying
- Penny Lane
- She's A Woman
- Baby's In Black
- She Came In Through the Bathroom Window
- I Will
- Bad to Me
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CD:
Item #CD-JG03
$15.00
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"Strong Like Bull... but Sensitive Like
Squirrel"
Joe really outdid himself with this 2001 release on Hightone
Records. He's playing better than ever, and he's getting a fantastic
tone from his Zum. For this project, Joe surrounded himself with
the best musicians in San Francisco, including his band-mates from
The Ten Gallon Cats and a funky horn section. The material
is the ultimate Goldmark mix of country-rock and R&B, with eight
of the 14 tunes written by Joe himself.
-b0b-
- Joe's Jump
- These Arms Of Mine
- Butane
- Bargain Bolero
- Okra Dokey
- Walk Around Heaven
- Going Up the River
- Take Four
- Bells of Madness
- Fog City
- Lonely Weekends
- Presence of the Lord
- Sensitive Like Bull
- Desert Drive
- Peace, Love and Understanding
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CD:
Item #CD-JG06
$15.00
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"Seducing The '60s"
I can never say enough good things about Joe's playing - he's one of my favorite players, and perhaps the most underrated steeler on the scene today. His style is instantly identifiable whether he's playing country, rock or R&B.
On this CD, Joe takes some of his favorite 60's rock tunes and lovingly tinges them with his soulful, country steel sound. Half instrumental, half vocal, this set keeps the listener entertained with musical variety, yet keeps that clean pedal steel up front where it belongs. For country fans, two live cuts from Joe's "Mental Revenge" band are included.
No 60's collection would be complete with a a healthy dose of Beatles, and this one doesn't disappoint. My favorite track so far is the George Harrison classic "Isn't It A Pity", with its extended jam ending. Just classic!
-b0b-
- Helpless (vocal: Brandi Shearer)
- Darlin'
- Here Comes My Baby (vocal: Bart Davenport)
- Sad Eyed Lady of The Lowlands
- I Feel Fine
- Ring Of Fire (live vocal: Gary Claxton w/Mental Revenge)
- Because
- Dirty Work (vocal: Bart Davenport)
- The Kids Are Alright
- Every Little Bit Hurts (vocal: Brandi Shearer)
- Six O'Clock (vocal: Bart Davenport)
- Isn't It A Pity
- Hickory Wind (live vocal: Gary Claxton w/Mental Revenge)
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