Since this is my last post during CBC Music's Guitar Month, I'm going to use it to give props to a guitar player who was completely ignored. You can forgive the pundits for doing so, since he hasn't been on most folks' radar for a number of years - and even then, it was only as part of a group. But I'm going to go out on a limb and say that this particular guitarist could - and should - have made it onto the list of Canada's 25 Greatest Guitarists Ever.
To whom am I referring? The great Pa Joe. He has no website, so you can't link to him. Precious little about him exists anywhere on the Internet, and recordings are scarce. So how do I get off saying he's one of the greatest? By experience.
Pa Joe is originally from Ghana. He's lived in Toronto for many years now, and has been a quiet but steady elements in Toronto's African music scene. By far his greatest rise to prominence came as part of the Juno award-winning African Guitar Summit, produced by the brilliant Todd Fraracci and released by CBC Records back in 2004. The Summit toured across Canada, and even played in the Live 8 concert.
Pa Joe has been called "the George Benson of Ghana". That's no exaggeration. His fluidity, his pulsating rhythmic groove, and endless melodic invention have stunned listeners for years. Years ago, I engineered a solo record for the gifted percussionist Kofi Ackah (also a member of the African Guitar Summit). Pa Joe got called in to do an overdub session. He came in, and chastised Kofi for not giving him more notice, or even sending a reference track so he could prepare. Then he plugged straight into the console, asked for some reverb and chorus, and lit the track on fire. He created three separate guitar parts, on the fly, and laid each of them down in one take. In fifteen minutes, he was done - and the track had gone from average to golden.
These days, Pa Joe is content to provide music for worship at the little African church he attends in Toronto. But if this guy ever decides to bust out a solo album, he would turn world music on its ear - pun intended.
Here's the African Guitar Summit performing at Afrofest 2012 in Toronto. You'll see Pa Joe on the side of the stage, quietly doing his thing. This is just a taste of what the man is capable of. Enjoy, and remember: lists and rankings almost always leave out someone who is most deserving.
Related:
Li Robbins' series of posts of African Guitar Gods
The Mighty Popo's "From The Heart" Playlist
Donné Roberts sizzles through Santana, The Eagles