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THE U.1?.E.I. sum, Nov. 29, 1979, page 7

751005150” .105 ‘ 1m 7: ~

PR‘OMoInNGJ'NOT HOMOGENIZED"

Interview by Dave Dobson story by John Cairns

Mendelson Joe, established songwriteI, performer and pajnter, was ianharlotte- tom on No’vember 19. He was here on the Eastern Swing of a cross Canada tour promoting his latest album, "Not Homogenized". While here, he Spoke with Dave DdDSOII who was repres— enting CIMV and the SUN. Their conversation went as follows: ’

Dave -Me§ndelson JOe, how did that name come about? Is there a story behind. it? .

Mr. Joe - Well, the story is that my parents' name, their surname, is Mendelson, and one of my Christian names

is Joseph. All I did was reverse the two names.

Dave - Would you tell us a bit about the album "Not Homogenized"?

Mr. Joe - Actually, the title you just mentioned really says it all. _"Not Homogenized" , it's not

your standard bacon pablum - with lyrics built to dispose of- It's unique, and if people call it

easy liStening, I take

that as ‘a- compliment. It is easy to listen to if

you care to listen. It is not background music. It's pointed, electric, Canadian folk music, and the idicms go from everything from Rock and Roll to blues music to jug band music.

Photo by Andrew“ ‘Danson

Dave — Is there a band that backs you'up or are you on your own?

Mr. Joe - When I perform on the record I have people accompanying me who perform with me on certain jobs under the name Mendelson Joe All Stars. These people are all highly developed musicians, probably the best in the world for what they do. Canada has musicians as good as any in the world. It's jtst that the focus has, not been put. on Canadian music as it should . r '

Dave - You're touring the Maritimes nom'Where areyou heading from here?

Mr.Joe—NextIgoto

Halifax for a couple of days. \

'lhen to Ottawa, and then to Montreal. After that, I will have completed what would be loosely construed / as a national tour because

I just didWinnipeg, Edmonton,

Calgary and Vancouver. That is not to say there aren't

' other cities that are a

part of our nation, but those are the ones I want.

’Dave-Inscnepresstas

reading it mentions you are 35. How long have you been in the business?

Mr. Joe - Professionally, I've been performing for '

maley 16 years, but I've

been playing guitar for 24'1years. I'm self taught.

» "Not Hanogenized" is my eighth album to be released in Canada, but it is my

fflf

first with Boot Records. Dave — You were with a group beforeknolmI as McKenna Mendelson Mainline. The music they played was close to heavy rock. Is that correct? I '

Mr. Joe — I'd call it blues rock, yes.

Dave — Your music on "Not Hmogenized" seems to be

i more easy listening blues.

It is not so much heavy rock.

Mr. Joe L- Yes, my attack now is a little bit more mellow. That is what I would call it. My music is still very rhythmic and specific. The songs are very direct, but the attack is just a littl more mellow. *

Dave - Where do you get your ideas for your music? Do you think it over for a day or a week or do you just get anidea and write it down?

Mr. Joe — Both. Sometimes I'll write a song in lyrics or come up with a musical idea in five minutes. You

' could write a song in a

half hour or you could write a song in a year of just refining an idea. It is very strange. It is not like a painting where you think of. the idea and then you labour at it. In ' painting it is like building a house. You design the work and then you dig the hole and build it. Songs are very strange.

'lhey can be magical.

Dave — Your goal is the world?

Mr. Joe - Yes.

_Dave - Your eight albums so far are Canadian albums.

my music. world a better place.‘

MfD/A

Mr. Joe - well, they've been released in other countries.

My goal is that the world

know Mendelson Joe and consume It will make the

Dave — You've been called a" Canadian Alice Cooper with the lyrical abilities of Randy

. Newman. Are all your songs written by yourself?

Mr. Joe — Yes, I've written a. couple .of songs with other people, but by

myself I've written about 350 of what I consider fine catpleted works.

Dave - You're not known in Canada the way I'm sure you'd like. In Toronto you seem to be known as a painter, not ,as a musician. -

Mr. Joe — Well, you prcbably got that from some of the press you read. I don't agree with that. I think

in Canada in a small way frcm coast to coast I'm known, but I'm not Anne Murray. That's what it boils dam to. In most university circles

there are always some young people who have some of my records. I'd say that I'm basically awell-Imown un- Imown.

Dave — After listening to your latest album I can tell you I thoroughly enjoyed it. It is a change from the music they play on the camercial radio. I: only wish they could change the pace and play more of ' Mendelson Joe and "Not Homogenized". We honestly hope that your record sells big in Atlantic Canada. Thank you for talking with me today.

BETWEEN

MIKE »MACDONALD

TUESDAY MORNIIilGS ON THE, BEST RADIO

AND UNIVERSITY 'AVENUES

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