Cousin Joe Pleasant with Brownie - “Hard Headed Woman” live in Paris 1964 | Blues.In.Colour

 

Cousin Joe Pleasant with Brownie McGhee, Willie Smith Ransom Knowling - “Hard Headed Woman” live in Paris 1964

Blues.In.Colour

"What a character!! Cousin Joe filmed in Paris back in 1964 with a great rhythm section of Brownie McGhee on acoustic guitar, Ransom Knowling on bass, and (Muddy’s longtime drummer) Willie “Big Eyes” Smith on drums.

Reviews at the time said that his comedic, natural showmanship—complete with rolling eyes, a distinct chuckle, and a hoarse, expressive vocal delivery—frequently “brought the house down” and stole the spotlight from more widely known headliners.

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The Gospel’s Song episodes were filmed in Paris on the 25th July 2 months after the famous Blues Gospel Train was filmed at Wilbraham Road Station, Manchester. The line up was the same including Otis Spann, Cousin Joe Pleasant, Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Reverend Blind Gary Davis and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee. This performance was broadcast as part of Episode 3.

Cousin Joe Pleasant: Vocal & Piano

Brownie McGhee: Acoustic Guitar

Ransom Knowling: Bass

Willie ‘Big Eyes’ Smith: Drums

Pleasant Joseph, widely known as Cousin Joe (and sometimes Cousin Joe Pleasant), was a prominent American piano blues and jazz singer. Born on December 20, 1907, he became a central figure in the mid-century New York and New Orleans music scenes, celebrated for his distinct piano style, sharp wit, and satirical lyrics. He passed away on October 2, 1989.

He was born in Wallace, Louisiana, and spent his early childhood working on the Whitney Plantation, where his family had been enslaved for generations. His family relocated to New Orleans when he was 12. Though raised in a strict Baptist household, he quickly became captivated by the jazz and blues filtering out of local clubs.

 He taught himself the ukulele and guitar, performing around the city’s gambling joints, brothels, and riverboats throughout the 1930s” 

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