Hello There,
Before I start selling myself and my wares, please take the time to click on the logo below and help support FolkAgainstFacism a group set up to help combat those ******* at the BNP who are out to create the impression that Folk music is THEIR music. It ain't, it never was, and it never will be. Lets keep this slime down in the gutter where they belong. Right.
My new album, "Music From Potter's Field" is now available using the icon below.....
......which will take you over to CDBaby where it will be despatched to you in return for the princely sum of $15. Or if you're playing catch-up, and want a copy of my last album "Me & Billy The Kid"....
..... it's only $7.50. Bargain! You won't get a better deal than that!
I've now also got a Facebook site if you want to pop over there and be my friend. This will gain you little else other than some pointless idle banter, but maybe you're into that kinda thing. I've also got a "Musician" page over there, and if you want to click on that and be my "fan" that would be lovely. You'll get updates on gigs/albums and the like, and I'd be mighty glad to see you.
A brief rundown on the story so far. I played my first gig in 1987. Spent the next three years busking; hitching around the place and sleeping on floors; writing songs and learning to play. It was the closest thing a smalltown boy could get to hopping trains like the old Bluesmen and, being a head-in-the-clouds dreamer, hooked on the myths of rock'n'roll, I loved it. My fingers and thumb eventually got me halfway round Europe singing songs by The Pogues, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, Christy Moore, Steve Earle and, of course, Bob Dylan. In 1991 I settled in Hull and formed a band called Lithium Joe. I spent the next ten years jumping up and down banging out pop-punk to the four corners of the UK using my own label, Resolve Records, to release a bunch of 7" singles and a coupla cd albums. We toured incessantly, released 52 songs, caught no breaks whatsoever and eventually just wore ourselves out. When the band split in 2001 I was gutted, but I just wasn't ready to quit. I just stripped it all back down and started again. I holed up in my shed with a 4-track recorder and a single Shure mic. The first Joe Solo album "An Exile In Suburbia" was released in 2004, and my aim is to release one a year til I drop down dead. I have no money, never have had, so I can't afford studios or even decent equipment, but in Lithium Joe we always sought to do the best we could with whatever tools were at our disposal, and I still stand by that. If you love music enough, you find a way. Thanks for tuning in. Stick around, I'll be here for a good while yet.
Here's a Top Ten of all time..completely definitive...until tomorrow.
1. London Calling- The Clash
2. Grievous Angel- Gram Parsons
3. Bringing It All Back Home- Bob Dylan
4. Time (The Revelator)- Gillian Welch
5. Cassadaga - Bright Eyes
6. The Heart Of Saturday Night- Tom Waits
7. If I Should Fall From Grace With God - The Pogues
8. Old No. 1 - Guy Clark
9. Blue - Joni Mitchell
10. El Corazon - Steve Earle
....oh and everything Townes Van Zandt ever touched. The man was an unrivalled genius. Plus about a thousand other records that resonate loud and long....just like great music should.
AND GO OUT AND BUY "CITY OF REFUGE" BY RACHEL HARRINGTON. A TRULY STUNNING ALBUM AND MY FAVOURITE OF 2008 BY A COUNTRY MILE. HER MYSPACE IS ON MY TOP FAVES OVER THERE......
And I am constantly inspired by the good, good people who continue against all the odds to promote independent music, and who have done so much to keep people like myself alive. I salute you, and you have my love and best wishes always.
Sounds Like
Everything I've ever soaked up and twisted round and spat back out again in my own inimitible style. I once overheard someone saying they didn't like my music as "you can't do your ironing to it". Thank Christ for that! I'd have been worried if you could. I hate background music. Either it demands your full attention or it isn't worth playing. Most modern music revels in it's own mediocrity. I'd rather you thought mine was crap and bin it than iron to it! Whatever is the world coming to? Currently writing songs for a new Joe Solo album tentatively titled "Forwards Is Just Backwards In Reverse"and due in 2010. Even I don't know what this is going to sound like. This is why it is so much fun!! SEEEEEEEEYYYYAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Hello and welcome to my little corner of myspace. If all is going according to plan there should be some tunes streaming through. Enjoy. Please take these songs and pass them on. Don't believe the industry: file sharing is spreading music, not killing it.
My new album "Music From Potter's Field- The First World War Songs Of Joe Solo" was released in February. The title kinda speaks for itself I guess. I've poured my heart and soul into it, and I'm tremendously proud of the outcome. I hope you'll take the time to listen to a few of the tunes on offer here. The full album is available to stream, or you can buy it at cdbaby via the icon over on the left hand side there. Below are a couple of YouTube promos put together by the wonderful Mr Tim Roux. The first featuring the album opener "November The 12th", the second it's closer "Peace". Many of the slides are French archive photographs which have been converted to colour. They are stunning; and a reality check for those of us who are used to seeing the war in sepia. Please take a look.
I'm currently recording a new album for 2010 called "Forwards Is Just Backwards In Reverse" which will be available in February, and writing songs for another due 2011/12 called "If Peel Street Could Talk". You're never too far away from a new Joe Solo song so please pop back again soon!
My last album "Me & Billy The Kid" is available at all the i-this and u-that web-type places, or alternatively you could always just tap me on the shoulder at a gig and ask. If truth be known I kinda prefer it that way. All the best, Joe xxx.
Hi Joe,I thankyou so much for your friendshipI wish you all the best in the music I like your sound,Keep in touch,maybe you would like to sign my guest book,thanks.God Bless.GARY V.
Brilliant gig last night Joe. Thanks from all at Husthwaite for the 25 minutes spent in your world. The teenagers say that you are DUDEY, which is the up-to-date version of COOL. The rest of us just thought you were brilliant! Thanks again Joe. See you soon.
Listened to your CD again today (seemed a good time of the year). We just bought a really expensive pair of headphones (to do my cd mastering because our speakers are rubish) and we used your cd to try them out and just want to say how brilliant both Lee and I think your CD is! It really is a work of art, looking forward to the next one! Hopefully see you at the Chris Wood gig. Hope all is well... Becks x
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Many thanks for playing Brindle Rocks on Saturday.It was a Halloween never to be forgotten.A top set from a top bloke!! Now that you've found the M62 you can spread your wings!!
The Woven Project have now a dedicated page on face book, just incase you don't use myspace that often, join our face book page. Please click on link below and 'become a fan'.
Ah ha. There speaks a man with an ear for words and I'm not surprised, given the lovely quality of your songs - so glad you picked up on that Joe - it's my favourite lyric in the song. My sincere thanks for taking the time to listen. All the best, Tim
Last day of the month today, so we'll be putting new songs on the player tomorrow. Thank you very much for allowing us to play your song in September. Please come and have a listen to this months band and stay in touch xx
It was lovely to meet you tonight at The Station and an absolute pleasure to watch your set. Please get in touch on the email address I gave you we would love to be able to fix you up with something over Middlesbrough way.
A brief rundown on the story so far. I played my first gig in 1987. Spent the next three years busking; hitching around the place and sleeping on floors; writing songs and learning to play. It was the closest thing a smalltown boy could get to hopping trains like the old Bluesmen and, being a head-in-the-clouds dreamer, hooked on the myths of rock'n'roll, I loved it. My fingers and thumb eventually got me halfway round Europe singing songs by The Pogues, The Men They Couldn't Hang, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, The Clash, Stiff Little Fingers, Christy Moore, Steve Earle and, of course, Bob Dylan. In 1991 I settled in Hull and formed a band called Lithium Joe. I spent the next ten years jumping up and down banging out pop-punk to the four corners of the UK using my own label, Resolve Records, to release a bunch of 7" singles and a coupla cd albums. We toured incessantly, released 52 songs, caught no breaks whatsoever and eventually just wore ourselves out. When the band split in 2001 I was gutted, but I just wasn't ready to quit. I just stripped it all back down and started again. I holed up in my shed with a 4-track recorder and a single Shure mic. The first Joe Solo album "An Exile In Suburbia" was released in 2004, and my aim is to release one a year til I drop down dead. I have no money, never have had, so I can't afford studios or even decent equipment, but in Lithium Joe we always sought to do the best we could with whatever tools were at our disposal, and I still stand by that. If you love music enough, you find a way. Thanks for tuning in. Stick around, I'll be here for a good while yet.
Online Now!
. You can register as an artist/musician @ 
