Mean Mr. Mendelson Joe

Mendelson Joe is a fascinating figure in Canadian music. He's a singer-songwriter and accomplished blues guitarist . He's also a painter and outspoken political activist, better known for his painting depicting former-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney with his face as an ass, than anything he accomplished in music.

Born Birrel Josef Mendelson on July 30, 1944, Joe was raised in Maple Ontario (A suburb of Vaughn). He nursed a love of music throughout his youth and started playing guitar at age 11. He had his formal education at the University Of Toronto, in the early 60's and began performing as a blues musician under the name Joe Mendelson in 1964.

Four years later, he joined with guitarist Mike McKenna to form the band McKenna Mendelson Mainline, which was active until 1972 and reformed briefly in 1975. Throughout their time together they were a popular and well respected live act in Canada. They even garnered some fans in the UK while on a brief tour there in 1968-1969. The original line-up featured the formidable bass talents of Denny Gerrard.

After the original demise of the band, Joe went solo and recorded this album for Nobody Records (a division of Mainline Triumvirate LTD). Still going as Joe Mendelson at the time, he toured briefly around Ontario, but struggled to find an audience for his "unique" style of blues.

In 1975 he adopted the name he's still known for today Mendelson Joe. He continued his solo career after the second demise of McKenna Mendelson Mainline; signing with Taurus Records, who had been the label to release Mainline's final album, also releasing his second solo album on the label that same year.

Mendelson Joe would continue on, hard-at-work as a musician, releasing over a dozen solo albums (frequently collaborating with Ben Mink, Gwen Swick, The Shuffle Demons and Colin Linden, among others) throughout every decade up until the 2020's; when various conditions impeded his ability to play guitar.
As previously mentioned Joe became a painter. In 1975, Mr. Joe found a paint set in the garbage, and tried painting just to see what it was like. A deep love sprung from the initial meeting as well as a distinct style that would be nursed over the years as it became an intense passion of his.

Today, Mendelson Joe’s paintings are internationally recognized and his work is housed at the Art Bank (a government-owned art collection), and in numerous private and corporate collections worldwide.

In March 2000 Mendelson Joe realized his longtime dream (fueled by his disdain for most people) and exited the city of Toronto. He's resided in various locations throughout Ontario over the intervening years and likes to maintain his privacy. A notorious recluse, he often only comes out for live performances or stark interviews, or social occasions.

Nonetheless Joe is an enigma; Fiercely critical of people's actions, but deeply sympathetic of their plight. A long outspoken activist, he has particular scorn for the actions of government and politicians. He's deeply passionate, driven, stubborn, and talented. We're lucky to have him.
Aaron Lusch
Aaronlusch@hotmail.com

Tracks

Artist Track Title
Mendelson Joe Let's Party Let's Party
Mendelson Joe I Need a Nurse Let's Party
Mendelson Joe That's Where The Money Is Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Aerodynamic Let's Party
Mendelson Joe (I Got) the A.P.A. Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Wake Up Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Lawyers Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Friendly Song Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Dishwashing Man Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Good Medicine Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Rock 'N' Roll Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Public Service Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Move Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Bogus Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Germaine Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Rainbow Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe My Big Break For '72 Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Cheesecake Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Growing Pain Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe The Canada Song Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Take a Tip Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Mediocrity Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe No Trespassing Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Oh Travene Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe It's My Fate Cha Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Slow Down Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Introduction Mr. Middle of the Road
Mendelson Joe Growing Pain Oh Travene b/w Growing Pain
Mendelson Joe Oh Travene Oh Travene b/w Growing Pain
Mendelson Joe The Canada Song No Trespassing b/w The Canada Song
Mendelson Joe No Trespassing No Trespassing b/w The Canada Song
Mendelson Joe Do What You Do Sophisto
Mendelson Joe Everybody Talks Sophisto
Mendelson Joe The Sophisto Sophisto
Mendelson Joe They'll Take Your Pants Sophisto
Mendelson Joe This is the Song Sophisto
Mendelson Joe Brain Damage In 'Ursa' Minor Sophisto
Mendelson Joe It All Comes Back Sophisto
Mendelson Joe The Name of the Game Sophisto
Mendelson Joe My Engine Won't Idle Sophisto
Mendelson Joe The Matrimonial March In 'G' March Sophisto
Mendelson Joe Far Out to Lunch Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Microphone Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Bondage Boots Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Game of Love Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe I'm Fussy Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Those Who Do Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Everything is Weird Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Hollywood Would Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe I Blues Not Homogenized
Mendelson Joe Let's Party Let's Party
Mendelson Joe I Need a Nurse Let's Party
Mendelson Joe That's Where The Money Is Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Aerodynamic Let's Party
Mendelson Joe (I Got) the A.P.A. Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Wake Up Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Lawyers Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Friendly Song Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Dishwashing Man Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Good Medicine Let's Party
Mendelson Joe Going Through the Motions Addicted
Mendelson Joe Cockroach Addicted
Mendelson Joe They Will Take Your Pants Addicted
Mendelson Joe Quality Love Addicted
Mendelson Joe Threading the Needle Addicted
Mendelson Joe Friendopause Addicted
Mendelson Joe Addicted Addicted
Mendelson Joe Air Canada Can Addicted
Mendelson Joe Passion Addicted
Mendelson Joe Not Much of a Socialist Humans
Mendelson Joe Friendly Song Humans
Mendelson Joe Alcoholics Humans
Mendelson Joe I’m Gonna Die Humans
Mendelson Joe Shepherd’s Pie Humans
Mendelson Joe Stan the Fan Humans
Mendelson Joe Excuse Me Humans
Mendelson Joe I Am a Fool Humans
Mendelson Joe My Baby’s Asleep Humans
Mendelson Joe Humans Bug Me Humans
Mendelson Joe Friendly Cookies Humans
Mendelson Joe Got Me a Hungry Humans
Mendelson Joe Slobs With Dogs Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Mainly Because of the Meat Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Charlotte Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe All Things Living Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Kiss Dizzy Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Everyone Needs a Pimp Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Margaret Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Have a Nice Death Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Write Me Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe I Think of You Everyone Needs a Pimp
Mendelson Joe Untitled Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Spoiled Bratland Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Puke (He Makes Me) Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Lawyers Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Whatever Makes Me Tick - It is You Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Counting Sheep Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe True Love Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Long, Long Time Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe February Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe The Muse Will Choose Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Take This Tip Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Honkis de Konkis Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Slow Down Joe Spoiled Bratland
Mendelson Joe Cockroach Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Air Canada Can Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Going Through The Motions Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Lick And Sniff Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Threading The Needle Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Addicted Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe They Will Take Your Pants Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Cold Old Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Friendopause Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Alien Buried Treasure
Mendelson Joe Classical Joe Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Who do You Trust Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Better Watch Out Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Sometimes Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe This is the Song Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Do What You Do Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Art is the Healer Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe How Can it Be? Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Everybody Talks Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Passion Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Purpose Art is the Healer
Mendelson Joe Dissertatio Canuckian
Mendelson Joe I’m Dreamin’ Canuckian
Mendelson Joe Deemo Crassy Canuckian
Mendelson Joe I’m a Folkie Canuckian
Mendelson Joe I’m a Canuckian Canuckian
Mendelson Joe Value You Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Women are the Only Hope Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Canary in the Coalmine Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Some Dumb Machine Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Not Safe Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe I Nominate Dr. David Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Hot Meal Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Photos in the Mail Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Same Old Song Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Temporary Love Women are the Only Hope
Mendelson Joe Untitled Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe They Will Take Your Pants Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Some Dumb Machine Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe It’s My Fate Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe I’m a Folkie Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe The Canada Song Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Sometimes Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Dance With Joe Going Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Fragile Man Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe The Kiss Tells All Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Going Through the Motions Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe Long, Long Time Live At Sixty-Five
Mendelson Joe I’m Fussy Live At Sixty-Five
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Born Under a Bad Sign McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Bad Women are Killing Me McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Ramblin' on My Mind McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Drive You McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Pretty Woman McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Help Me McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Toilet Bowl Blues McKenna Mendelson Blues
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Don't Give Me No Goose for Christmas, Grandma Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Bad Women Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Better Watch Out Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Drive You Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline She's Alright Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Think I'm Losing My Marbles Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline T.B. Blues Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline One Way Ticket Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Beltmaker Stink
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Mainline Stink
Mainline Honkis De Konkis Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Motorcycle Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Blind Girl Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Get Down To Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Pedalictus Rag Our Home and Native Land
Mainline One Time Loser Our Home and Native Land
Mainline You're My Heart's Desire Our Home and Native Land
Mainline I Am Normal Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Brain Damage Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Going to Toronto Our Home and Native Land
Mainline Nova Scotia Breakdown Our Home and Native Land
Mainline No Boogie Finale The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline C. C. Rider The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Misty The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Chicken Shack The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Game of Love The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Feel Alright The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Miss Collin's Cha-Cha The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Wild Wild Women The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Ezmerelda The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline O Canada The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue Live At The Victory Theatre
Mainline Blind Girl Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Wine, Women & Whiskey Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline T.B. Blues Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Brain Damage Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Beltmaker Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Get Down To Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline I Am Normal Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Mainline Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Drive You Last Show @ the Elmo
Mainline Going To Toronto Last Show @ the Elmo
Mendelson Joe February February
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline She's Alright She's Alright b/w Mainline (picture sleeve)
Mckenna Mendelson Mainline Mainline She's Alright b/w Mainline (picture sleeve)
Mainline Meet You Beat You No Substitute
Mainline Digging the Holes No Substitute
Mainline I've Been Lucky No Substitute
Mainline Give it to Me Straight No Substitute
Mainline It's Been a Treat No Substitute
Mainline Get To You No Substitute
Mainline Dictator No Substitute
Mainline No Substitute No Substitute
Mainline Sometimes No Substitute
Mainline Do My Walkin' No Substitute
Mendelson Joe Strugglesville Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe I've Got Love Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Huggle and Snuggle Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Write Me Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Tweet Tweet Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Jack Frost Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe The Kiss Tells All Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe I Want to be With You Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Correspondent Love Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Advertise Jack Frost
Mendelson Joe Respecting My Reward Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Lick and Sniff Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Born to Cuddle Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Misanthropic Man Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Cold - Old Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Denise (A Canine Housepet) Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Dance With Joe Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Goo Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Mongers of the Lie Born to Cuddle
Mendelson Joe Alien Born to Cuddle

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