Joe Dolce

Artist Information

Biography

KEY EVENTS

NEWS!!!
Joe Dolce current CD, 'THE WIND CRIES MARY,' chosen as
ALBUM OF THE YEAR by 97.1 FM 3MDR Radio Melbourne!

Poem from first upcoming poetry volume (early 2010) selected for ISLAND, Australia's most respected poetry anthology. 2009

" One of the country's premier songwriters." RHYTHMS MAGAZINE

" . . . the Ohio-born Dolce is one hell of a bluesman. . . . [the] guitar work is deceptively complex, weaving in and out of lyrical matter that is often a ball of complexity itself . ." Mike Wafer, XPRESS MAGAZINE

Wrote, produced and performed, 'SHADDAP YOU FACE,' Number One Hit in 15 countries, which holds the ongoing record for the most successful single in Australian music history for over 29 years straight, (breaking Slim Dusty's legendary 22 year longevity record for 'The Pub With No Beer!) Over 40 international cover versions in 12 languages including an aboriginal dialect and Papua New Guinean 'pidgin'.

Writer of 'MY HOME AIN'T IN THE HALL OF FAME' - recorded by many major US country and bluegrass artists including ROBERT EARL KEEN JR, JONATHAN EDWARDS, JD CROWE AND THE NEW SOUTH, (FEATURING KEITH WHITLEY), THE TUMBLEWEEDS, AND ROSALIE SORRELS.

JOE DOLCE songs included on and picked as TITLES of 3 US album releases: 'Rolling Along' (Jonathan Edwards 2008), 'My Home Aint' in the Hall of Fame' (JD Crowe & The New South) and 'Shaddap You Face' (Lou Monte).

Australian COUNTDOWN SPECTACULAR National Tour 2006, hosted by MOLLY MELDRUM, performing for audiences in excess of 10,000+ with Leo Sayer, Hush, Sherbet, Renee Geyer, John Paul Young, James Reyne, Eurogliders, Models, Choirboys, John Swan, Jon English and many others.

Winner AUSTRALIAN GOSPEL SONGWRITING AWARD for Best Folk Gospel Song: 'HILL OF DEATH.' (Selected for 'The Best of Australian Gospel Music' CD, with featured tracks by JIMMIE LITTLE, Gavin Chatelier, The Boardman Sisters, Carter + Carter, and others. 2005.)

'GIFT (One Iraqi child)' - anti-Iraqi War peace song, winner of SONICBIDS competition, (included on 'PEACE SONGS FOR A BETTER WORLD' CD, CANADA. 2005.) Currently part of the Gold Star Mothers for Peace rallies in the US. Appeared with CINDY SHEEHAN in Melbourne. (View 'live-in-performance' video clip with band in video section.)

Regular and featured performer at every major folk festival in Australia.

Executive Producer, co-writer and lead guitarist of the song, 'INTIMACY', from the original US film score, THE TERMINATOR, recently picked as of one of 25 films saved for posterity by the US Library of Congress, along with DELIVERANCE and THE THIRD MAN.

Composed and orchestrated, 'JOAN ON FIRE', a one hour oratorio for string orchestra, SATB choir, soloists and brass trio. Premiered by the Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and Chorelation Choir.

Principal and founding member, since 1992, of the completely unique and ongoing literary-folk music creation, 'DIFFICULT WOMEN', with appearances at the VANCOUVER FOLK FESTIVAL, THE WINNEPEG FOLK FESTIVAL, THE HARRISON HOT SPRINGS ARTS FESTIVAL, THE WOODFORD FOLK FESTIVAL (6 times), and THE EDINBURGH FESTIVAL (over 50 performances).

DIFFICULTWOMEN WEBSITE:
http://www.linvanhek.com/

Instrumentation

Joe Dolce - Vocals. Acoustic, electric and resonator guitars, mandolin and blues harp. Performance poet.

Discography

'THE WIND CRIES MARY': Most recent CD, 'Cocaine Lil' guitar solo featured in 'Australian Guitarist' magazine.

'FREE LOVE DAYS': Voted Top Ten Release of the Year by Australian Blues and Roots quarterly, Rhythms Magazine, with 4 star reviews in the two major Australian dailies, The Herald and The Age.

'FLOWER': with LIN VAN HEK. Picked as Top Ten release of the year by Australian blues and roots quarterly, Rhythms Magazine.

"BLACK PEPPER WITH A HINT OF VIOLETS': Difficult Women CD.

'MEMOIRS OF A MOUTH ORGAN,' compilation of favourite blues harp performances, recordings and unreleased tracks,
including 'Miles' Delight' live-in-performance.

'STEAL AWAY HOME': Cassette and CD, songs co-written by playwright, Phil Motherwell and Joe Dolce.

'HILL OF DEATH,' on 'The Best of Australian Gospel Music' CD.

'MARCHIN' WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING JR,' on 'Australian Blues' CD.

'GIFT (One Iraqi child)' on 'PEACE SONGS FOR A BETTER WORLD' CD, CANADA. 2005.

'Did You Get Stupid from Being Ugly (Or Ugly From Being Stupid?)' on 'PROTEST SONGS FOR A BETTER WORLD' CD, CANADA. 2005.

Blues 'cover version' of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' included on Andrew Denton's 2MMM MUSICAL CHALLENGE CD (along with artists including NEIL FINN, JIMMY BARNES, TINA ARENA, ARCHIE ROACH, JAMES BLUNDELL.)

Released 'SHADDAP YOU FACE - NO ROOM FOR RACISM ' (with new lyrics), as a protest against Australian right-wing party, One Nation.

1997 Released solo blues harp CD, 'MEMOIRS OF A MOUTH ORGAN'.

1986 Executive Producer and co-writer, with LIN VAN HEK, of the song, 'INTIMACY', sung by LIN VAN HEK and included in the classic US film blockbuster, THE TERMINATOR.

1984 Released single, 'PIZZA PIZZA,' on Fable Records. Currently the theme song for the USA Pizza Team.

1980 'SHADDAP YOU FACE', LP First released in Australia on ASTOR RECORDS. Number 1 hit in 15 countries.

1979 'BOAT PEOPLE', independently produced single, Melbourne. Translated into Vietnamese.

1968 'PLEASE TELL A FRIEND', with JONATHAN EDWARDS and SUGARCREEK, on Metromedia Records, New York.

Official Website

http://joedolce.net

Links

• Comprehensive CV & Bio
• Lyrics
• YouTube Video Archive
• Wind Cries Mary CD Reviews
• Difficult Women w/ Lin Van Hek

Audio

• In the Garden With Monet
  Listen  
• St Valentine's Day
  Listen  
• It Was Only A Dream (but No Reason to Awake)
  Listen  
• Cocaine Lil
  Listen  
• Lynetta
  Listen  
• Smokin'
  Listen  
• Wind Cries Mary/Third Stone From Sun
  Listen  
• Sappho - Fragment 64
  Listen  
• Rocks of Bawn
  Listen  
• MR Q
  Listen  

Lyrics

• Gift (from one Iraqi child)
• Father
• Evocation of Sappho
• Death of Bach
• Lynetta
• It Was Only A Dream (but No Reason to Awake)
• In the Garden With Monet
• MR Q

Video

Gift (from One Iraqi Child)

Photo Gallery

Press

• THE WIND CRIES MARY - GREEN MAN CD REVIEW [+ Show ]
  

  " . . . Dolce's consistent ability to write or choose songs that obviously mean something to him . ...." . . . Dolce's consistent ability to write or choose songs that obviously mean something to him . . . allow[s] his musicians and fellow singers to shine as well . . . . The CD begins with "St Valentines Day", which sounds like a live recording with the tuneful vocals up front and clear in the mix, and some nifty slide work by Dolce; a great driving start to proceedings. Then follows cajun/tex mex with "Lynetta" (reminding one of the late lamented Mollys) . . . some fine rock on "Dragon Lady", a tribute to John Lennon on "It Was Only A Dream (But No Reason To Awake)" . . . One personal highlight is "Cocaine Lil" which combines a 19th century lyric with original music to create a blues-rock song that works well, with a very full sound that still has room to breathe. The track struck me as treading a similar musical path to Jeff Lang, which can only be a good thing, really. Another favourite is "Gift From One Iraqi Child" which has a somewhat chaotic, experimental middle-eastern beginning, and then transforms into a melodic contemporary roots/rock song, with all too pertinent lyrics. . ." (excerpt)
  
  

• THE WIND CRIES MARY - RHYTHMS CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  " Yes, he is that Joe Dolce, the frank in your face singer who received international acclaim in the..." Yes, he is that Joe Dolce, the frank in your face singer who received international acclaim in the early 1980s with his release 'Shaddap You Face'. While that song has been dubbed as one of the most memorable of the '80s, and also has the auspicious title of the 'worst song ever recorded' whilst remaining one of the most successful songs in Australian music history, it isn't a reflection of the real Joe Dolce and his consummate musical ability. The Wind Cries Mary is a testament to this.
  
  This is his first release since 2000 and cements Dolce's reputation as one of the country's premier songwriters. His lyrical compositions are delightful to listen to, the words fit together like a perfect puzzle and while their contrast to the music and their rhythmic sense is appealing, it is also the stories behind the songs that are beautiful. Then there is that Dolce humour that shows through, especially in songs such as 'Smokin', where his clever witty lyrics are divine.
  
  The tracks themselves are depictions of Dolce's life, often private parts of himself he isn't afraid to share with audiences, as well as occurrences throughout history that have offered him inspiration.
  
  From the first song 'St. Valentine's Day', where Dolce croons 'music is your occupation, sometimes it's like working on your damn vacation", it is an avid description of his life as a working musician. It is this endearing personal quality that hits home with his music, and despite the song's sometimes upbeat instrumentation, his message will resonate with anyone.
  
  Dolce's track 'Lynetta' is another demonstration of his musical ability, it is sung entirely in French. The music moves from strong upbeat guitar focused tracks with impressive percussion and laid-back tunes where Dolce's unique voice is the focus.
  
  Its country-twang and blues instrumentation makes this album a pleasure to listen to - a far cry from the 1981 hit that made Joe Dolce a household name. "
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• The Guardian, UK [+ Show ]
  

  ' He begins strumming on his polished steel guitar - a Christmas present from Lin Van Hek, a perform...' He begins strumming on his polished steel guitar - a Christmas present from Lin Van Hek, a performance artist and his partner of more than 20 years. He messes around with a blues version of 'Shaddap', before moving on to a more recent work. It's a setting of a work ('In The Monotonous Village') by the Greek poet Constantine Cavafy, about a man living in a dull town, who escapes his humdrum life through sexual fantasy. There's a yearning, folkish sound to the simple guitar part, reminiscent of Joni Mitchell; his eyes close as he sings, absorbed in the tune. It's beautiful.'
  

• JOAN ON FIRE - Oratorio for SATB and Orchestra
  

  'Joe Dolce a living musical genius. Bach and Handel will be smiling down on this work.'

• FREELOVEDAYS - SUNDAY HERALD CD Review [+ Show ]
  

  " . . .The effervescent FREELOVEDAYS CD bubbles over with glorious melodies and clever lyrics. Whi..." . . .The effervescent FREELOVEDAYS CD bubbles over with glorious melodies and clever lyrics. While the eclectic collection of musical ideas resists categorisation, the evidence is that Dolce is born of that folk-blues tradition that flourished before John, Paul, George and Ringo changed the rules. Indeed, the title track feels a little like Dylan's My Back Pages, and 'Jack of Diamonds' could easily have slipped off Blood on the Tracks. . . . .the highlight is the barely orchestrated tribute to the Greek poetess Sappho - whose legendary work remains only in brief fragments. Dolce sings 'Fragment 64' accompanied by Miriam Morris's viola da gamba in a moment of unlikely beauty, not a million miles from William Orbit's Pieces in a Modern Style. " 4 Star Review 2004 ****

• THE HERALD-SUN [+ Show ]
  

  'JOE DOLCE's musicianship and song writing are better than ever. One of his newest songs, about forg...'JOE DOLCE's musicianship and song writing are better than ever. One of his newest songs, about forgiving his father's violence, has lyrics that an EMINENT POET would be proud to have written. DOLCE's setting of another poet's work, called 'MILES' DELIGHT' is a show-stopping highlight!'

• Tonespy [+ Show ]
  

  'Joe Dolce's cover of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is fantastic! I kid you not. He plays guitar and ...'Joe Dolce's cover of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' is fantastic! I kid you not. He plays guitar and harmonica and sings. He sounds great, his playing is mighty fine and he is a sparkling charming wit, and hilarious. It's a laid back blues rendition, sung with a humourous conviction that exposes the song for what it is: ' Who wrote this stuff?' He asks, then points out a similarity to 'Mellow Yellow'. "I brought my own words if you don`t mind," he says, half way through, in a Vampiric voice, and bends the song into 'Gloria', although, of course, he settles for 'Gorier'. On the one hand, we should herald Denton for getting Dolce to play this song, on the other, Joe Dolce shines as a great performer and comic genius."' (Andrew Denton's 3MMM Musical Challenge)'

• Sydney Morning Herald [+ Show ]
  

  'Maybe you recall 'Shaddap You Face' as just a novelty song of 1980, but Dolce's hugely successful s...'Maybe you recall 'Shaddap You Face' as just a novelty song of 1980, but Dolce's hugely successful singalong was more than that. It summed up the change in Australia when multiculturalism displaced the derogatory label 'New Australian', when colourful Immigration minister Al Grassby regularly graced the national stage, and SBS was about to take to the air. It caught a social current and gave voice to it in about three minutes.'

• Latrobe RABELAIS . [+ Show ]
  

  ' . . .as everyone out there knows, spending a fortune on champagne and an expensive hotel room does...' . . .as everyone out there knows, spending a fortune on champagne and an expensive hotel room doesn't necessarily mean the sex will be any good. eg. I had probably the most intense orgasm of my entire life in the back of a plumber's van while the radio played 'Shaddap You Face'.

• 'Best Act in 4 Years!' HENRY LAWSON FESTIVAL [+ Show ]
  

  " Dear Joe, Let me, on behalf of the Henry Lawson Festival committee, thank you for your unforgettab..." Dear Joe, Let me, on behalf of the Henry Lawson Festival committee, thank you for your unforgettable appearance at this year's Festival. It is certainly the best act I have had on the concert bill in four years of organising the event... people in town are still talking about it." Peter Soley, Henry Lawson Festival Committee "

Setlist

Performance sets from 20 minutes to two hours.

Extensive folk and arts festival workshop experience in songwriting, mandolin, guitar, blue harp, choral writing and singing and young artist mentoring. as well as lyric/poetry writing.

Basic Requirements

PDF Rider

Stage Plan

Calendar