The Blues: A Soundtrack to Resistance and Resilience in Troubled Times
In an era defined by political turmoil, social injustice, and economic struggle, the blues remains one of the most powerful musical forms...
How Trump’s 2025 Tariffs on Canada Are Screwing Over Musicians Right Now
When the Trump administration reimposed tariffs on Canadian goods in 2025—targeting aluminum, steel, and even some finished products—
Join the Team at Joe’s Place: Music Blog!
Are you passionate about music? Do you live for live shows, dissect new albums, or have strong opinions on the industry? Joe’s Place: Music Blog is looking for content writers who eat, sleep, and breathe music!
The Live Nation-Ticketmaster Monopoly in Canada
The effects of the Live Nation-Ticketmaster monopoly in Canada are felt just as acutely as in the United States, if not more so.
JD SOUTHER – His Songs Are The Story
JD Souther _“A principal architect of the Southern California sound and a main influence on a generation of songwriters”
The Rise of Live Tribute Acts: A Double-Edged Sword for the Music Industry
“Explore the pros and cons of live tribute acts and their impact on original music in this deep dive into music industry trends"
Rhiannon Giddens: Artist, Educator, Historian
Rhiannon Giddens: “One of the most important musical minds currently walking the planet”
- American Songwriter
The Unmentioned Member of the Band
The front of house mixing engineer holds the critical responsibility of balancing and enhancing the sound that the audience hears
Don’t Rent A Stream! – Buy The Music Instead!
As a music blogger, it's important to advocate for supporting musicians in a way that ensures they benefit fairly from their work.
Danny Boy Phelan: Live at the Leopard Frog Barn”
It's always engaging when young musicians pay homage to their predecessors. It shows appreciation for the musical “giants” of the past, on whose mighty shoulders we often stand.
What Happened to Social Justice?
Social justice, a concept rooted in the fair and just relation between the individual and society, aims to redistribute wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.
Cory Wong – Live in London
The relentless funk locomotive that is Cory Wong KILLS this live set recorded in Birmingham UK in October of last year.
Joe On Rock Talk With Rick
I enjoyed a fun time chatting with Rick Laroche, host of Rock Talk With Rick, and hanging out at King of the Attic Studio with Chris Smith (owner/engineer).
Frankie Miller – That’s Who!
...praises continue long after Miller’s 14 year, 10 album recording career that was, for all intents and purposes, over in 1994 at the age of 45
Mark Kelso’s Mystic Isle Project: The Antrim Coast
Canadian drumming luminary Mark Kelso offers up this potent collection of instrumental jazz tracks inspired by his Northern Ireland roots.
Live Performance: The Furious Bongos/ Iron Works, Buffalo/May 13/24
When one thinks of the term “tribute act” what generally comes to mind is a slavish recreation of popular acts from back in the day.
Norah Jones – “Visions”
Like so many others, I first became aware of this multi Grammy award winning artist back in 2002 with the release of her debut album “ Come Away With Me”
Boz Scaggs – The Cool Flame
To some casual music followers the album Silk Degrees and the song “Lowdown” mark the beginning of a brief 5 year / 4 album career..
“David Byrne And The Amazing “Talking Heads”
David Byrne and Talking Heads Back in the late 70’s I was tuned in to bands like Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Grand Funk and many others that were Blues/Rock based bands. Not quite metal bands (that is Metal today), but more of a Hard...
Jackie Wilson (Jack Leroy Wilson) – “Mr. Excitement!”
“The greatest singer I ever heard – the epitome of natural greatness”
Berry Gordy “The most dynamic singer and performer that I’ve ever seen”
Smokey Robinson
Joe’s Place – “Where Music Lives”
Joe’s Place – “Where Music Lives” Playing that night was a band called “The Beanies”. A 3 piece band featuring Al and Neil Lacroix on Bass and Guitar and Mike Manger on drums. It was the greatest moment in my short existence. It was then that...
Southern Soul – “The Natural Truth”
After a long musical journey I came to the destination of R&B and Soul in my teens.
Laura Nyro – “Hard To Get Into and Hard To Get Out Of”
Laura Nyro – “Hard To Get Into and Hard To Get Out Of” Originally Posted on Blues For A Big Town Blog May 8, 2022 “Sometimes I think being a star is kind of silly. I’d sooner be looked at like a comrade rather...
Bonnie Raitt – “A Force To Be Reckoned With”
Bonnie Raitt – “A Force To Be Reckoned With” “There are two types of men in this world: those who are in love with Bonnie Raitt, and those who’ve never heard of her” Willie Nelson I must confess I’m one of the former. I...
El Estepario Siberiano – Arguably the best and fastest drummer on the scene today
El Estepario Siberiano – Arguably the best and fastest drummer on the scene today If you have not heard of, or seen any of his videos (don’t know how that is possible, he is on every major social media site), you can check him...
“The Sweet Lizzy Project”
“The Sweet Lizzy Project” Lead singer and SLP founder Lisset Diaz (center) with bassist Alejandro Gonzalez (bottom left), lead guitarist and co-founder Miguel Comas (top left), keyboardist Wilfredo Gatell (top right), and drummer Angel Luis Millet (bottom right). Photo courtesy of Sweet Lizzy Project So...
Dee Dee Bridgewater – More Than Just A Jazz Singer
Dee Dee Bridgewater – More Than Just A Jazz Singer Defining Dee Dee Bridgewater as just a Jazz singer is doing Ms. Bridgewater a disservice to the nth degree. Yes, Bridgewater sings Jazz brilliantly, but she’s so much more than that. Beginning in the 70’s,...
MY YORKVILLE VILLAGE MEMORIES
MY YORKVILLE VILLAGE MEMORIES In the mid 1960s a tiny area in Toronto, formerly a village incorporated into the city in 1876, became the centre of hipness in Canada. Bordered by Avenue Road, Bloor Street, Yonge Street and Scollard Street, for just a few...
Robert Palmer – More Than Meets The Eye
Robert Palmer – More Than Meets The Eye Originally Posted on October 17, 2021 – Blues For A Big Town “In interviews I hardly ever get asked about music. I do, however, get asked about the ‘Addicted to Love’ video and my suits on a daily...
WYNONIE HARRIS – “MISTER BLUES” – THE REAL FATHER OF ROCK AND ROLL
In the 21st century, when we go looking for roots of music genres, we typically dig up old video footage and consult accredited music experts.
The West Side Soul of Chicago Blues
The West Side Soul of Chicago Blues Originally Posted on August 22, 2021–Blues For A Big Town As told numerous times, the emergence of Urban Blues was a by-product of the Great Migration of African Americans from the southern U.S. to points north. Undoubtedly affected,...
Nina Simone – The High Priestess of Soul
Nina Simone - The High Priestess of Soul
It was in the mid 80’s when Toronto’s short lived Village Vanguard North was advertising “Sunday Brunch With Nina Simone”
Louis Prima – “The Wildest” – King Of The Swingers
“The audience never knows what comes next. And to tell you the truth, neither do we. We always throw them surprises, and they love it” - Louis Prima
Bobby “BLUE” Bland – Blue is His Middle Name For a Reason
Bobby “BLUE” Bland – Blue is His Middle Name For a Reason Posted on June 19, 2022 by Rico Ferrara – Blues For A Big Town Blog “He’s my favourite Blues singer.” BB King “Bobby Bland was just the man…He had exceptional delivery and understanding. He made...
Musicians Ask – “Should I Join A Musicians Union?
Musicians Ask – “Should I Join A Musicians Union?” In Todays Environment Are There Benefits To Belonging To A Union? Musicians ask “Should I Join A Musicians Union?” Well things were very different from today back in the 60’s when I was just learning...
Australia: Lachy Doley An Incredible Talent
Australia: Lachy Doley An Incredible Talent Master of the Hammond B3 and The Whammy Clav Topped By Great Vocals and an Amazing Band Classic Sounds Tweaked By His Own Special Touch and Mixed With His Many New Creations All Presented With More Energy Than...
The Legendary Hammond B3 – Not Your Average Keyboard
During my down time I started thinking more and more about the awesomeness of the Hammond B3.
Italy: Zucchero – Italian Singer-Songwriter and Musician
Italy: Zucchero – Italian Singer-Songwriter and Musician From a Country That Celebrates Music and The Arts. As most of you know, Blues and Jazz happens to be considered by some as America’s Classical Music. This is not necessarily true but the sounds were developed...
Bobby Militello – One Of The Most Exciting and Inventive Alto Soloist In Jazz Today
Bobby Militello – One Of The Most Exciting and Inventive Alto Soloist In Jazz Today “It is a well-kept secret that Bobby Militello is one of the most exciting and inventivealto soloists in jazz today.“ “His stimulating approach has been an important ingredient inthe...
The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir – Not To Be Forgotten
The Bourbon Tabernacle Choir – Not To Be Forgotten So while going through my FB news feed the other day, FB decided to remind me of a memory that came up from a few years ago about one of my all time favourite bands...