About Smokin Joe Wiseman

Background

While flying from Toronto to Phoenix, Smokin’ Joe was treated to Uncle Tupelo’s version of “The Moonshiner.” He had heard the song before but was blown away by this fresh interpretation of that traditional song. Further exploration revealed that there were many versions of the song and doors opened for Smokin’ Joe. He created his own version, revising the chord structure and the lyrics and found that his friends liked the song and looked forward to playing his adaptation.

Let’s Do It!
Being a novice guitarist and songwriter and flushed from the success of his adaptation of “The Moonshiner”, Smokin’ Joe turned to his love of the blues. He discovered that 12 Bar Blues had a common structure and started writing songs in the 12 Bar Blues format. One of his favorite guitarists is Jimi Hendrix and “Hey Joe” inspired the writing of “Trouble Comes My Way” and “Do The Time.” The “Hey Joe” theme of love lost and desperate actions is a common theme in Blues songs as well as cheating partners. Other songs flowed from these Blues themes including “Cheatin’ Blues” and “I Woke Up With The Blues” both of which appear on his first CD.

Growing Through Collaboration!
Smokin’ Joe found that while the songs came quickly, making them sound different was a challenge as his guitar skills are limited to rhythm support. Discussions with son Waylon led to a collaboration on “No One Got The Blues.” Originally written in the 12 Bar Blues format, the song has taken Smokin’ Joe’s original lyrics and added Waylon’s chord arrangement, lyric input and guitar solo to come up with a fresh interpretation of the song. This song was recorded at Mallczar Studio in Stephenville with assistance from MusicNL. He also collaborated with son Waylon on “Riding With the Wolves” which was recorded under the same demo grant.

Recording
Smokin’ Joe was successful on his second attempt at getting a demo grant from MIANL and three demos were produced. “No One Got The Blues” was recorded as a demo in Stan Gallant’s Mallczar Studio in Stephenville, Newfoundland. “Riding With the Wolves” and “Do The Time” were also recorded at the same time. These songs feature many of Smokin’ Joe’s friends who donated their time and skills to help make these demos a success.

Building on this studio experience and with relationships developed through SongU, the REO Songwriter’s Retreat and MusicNL Joe released his first CD “A Field By The Sea” in March, 2007. The Western Star covered the CD release and here is an excerpt from the entertainment page review:

His CD is a compilation of 10 of his originals, along with Moonshiner, which is his own adaptation mixed in with the lyrics from several versions of that particular song.

Wiseman said the CD's title song, A Field By The Sea, is about people leaving this province and "not" ending up in the field by the sea.

Another song, The Legend of the Blue Puttees, is a tribute to the Newfoundland Regiment and Wiseman has even included photos of his two uncles, Harold and Clyde Coish from Seldom, Green Bay, on the CD jacket. Harold was killed at Beaumont Hamel, France, and Clyde at Paschendale, Belgium, in another horrific battle.

Wiseman said the song also aims to remind people that Newfoundlanders per capita had the highest casualty rate of any of the allies in the First World War. As a result of what Newfoundlanders gave to the effort, King George V renamed the Newfoundland Regiment the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, the first time such an honour was bestowed in war time.

"I wanted to tell the story of what happened at Beaumont Hamel that July 1, 1916, when the next morning of just over 800 soldiers that went into that battle only 68 answered the roll call. This represents the character of the Newfoundland people," he said.

Joe is currently working on the writing and arrangement of songs for his second CD to be released in 2008. The CD will have an electric focus and will include an electric version of the Ballad of the Blue Puttees targeted at a younger audience. Other songs are written but require editing and mentoring.

Band Members