joe bebop lane...a wonderful scat singer from sydney 1985
at the El Rocco. kings cross.

In the middle of a set Joe would sing "Poor Butterfly' to a suddenly silent room, stealing and transporting us sometimes, projecting the listener to the most wonderful places, far from their mundane ordinary lives. Taking us with him onto the stage of some imaginary fantastic oriental theatre, Poor-or-or buuutter...flyeeee...‟neeeath the blossoms, waitiiiiiing." A magician of a musician. A creator of joy; drawing our breath away with his interpretation of the heart and soul of the lyric, the stunned audience stopped in the moment open-mouthed and anticipating each line. Everyone was always surprised at his great beauty.
"Joe, I will never forget what you gave me". All of us! So much joy and love, happiness and laughter, tears of laughter. Father JOE'; teeth missing and Henna in your hair wearing your bad orange suit..., our singing Buddhist monk. Joe made sure I knew the lyrics to the songs I played on my horn. He told me "I‟ve never been truly interested in sounding like anyone in particular. I guess I‟m just a vehicle, an interpreter of their creativity. I like to think of myself as being somewhat of an individual, without being ridiculous and saying I‟m totally original. No one sings a song like me. When I sing a song it‟s just a total and personal involvement. My political message is self expression and intent; what your intending to do and your attitude. The way you adapt what you have learnt. It‟s all to do with not listening to other people too much and how you‟re going to create your own ideology, your own message. You have to maintain a belief in one‟s self. And you‟ve gotta take chances. Music is about getting away from your doubts, imposed by other people‟s discontent." Joe was certainly an original! paul pax andrews.

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