Click On Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Junior Wells Doing "Hoodoo Man".
DVD REVIEW
Don’t Start Me Talking: The Junior Wells Story, Junior Wells, Buddy Guy and various artists and commentators, Sony, 2005
The last time that the name Junior Wells was mentioned in this space was when he was referenced in a review of the work of legendary Chicago blues guitarist and his long time musical companion, Buddy Guy. Starting in the late 1950's those names, more often than not, were linked together as among the hottest sounds to come out of clubs and other venues during that fantastic period of the reemergence of the Chicago blues. Well today is Junior's turn in the spotlight in this informative hour and one half review of the ups and downs of his musical and personal life.
The personal part of Junior's life is not an unfamiliar one when detailing the life stories of many of the great black blues musicians who made a name for themselves in Chicago, the "Mecca" of the electric blues. Born down South on the farm, enduring a hard scrabble childhood, coming up North, hungry. Sound familiar? And, as in many other cases concerning the hungry part including Junior's case, almost literally so. But these guys and gals (think of Koko Taylor, an interviewee here) ready to do anything to get out of the South of the hard luck farms and the plantations, to speak nothing of Jim Crow. Chicago-bound was Junior's cry, as well. But there were a million guys trying to work Maxwell Street and get the bright light attention of the likes of Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf in the late 1950's. Somehow, through thick and thin and some toying around the edges of the criminal life, sheer talent and energy, Junior survived and got his big chance with Muddy. The rest, as they say, is history.
Junior's story is told here in a number of ways. Mainly there are personal interviews with him about his sometimes rocky way to blues stardom. Then there are personal and musical testimonials from the likes of the above-mentioned Buddy Guy and long time Wells band member Lonnie Brooks (worthy of his own separate review in his well-travelled blues career). Finally, there is the seemingly inevitable roundtable group of commentators who throw out various tidbits about Junior's life, his recording career and his character, including important information for the blues archivist about the Delmark Records production of the album "Hoodoo Man" and from his first manager, the ubiquitous Dick Waterman. The results are an inside look into one of the key Chicago blues figures who carried on the tradition from the post-World War II blues giants like Muddy, Howlin' Wolf, and Willie Dixon. Nice.
"Hoodoo Man"
Lord, I wonder what's the matter, I'm crying all the
time
The minutes seem like hours, everything's the same
But I'm holding my hand, Lord I'm trying to make my
baby understand
Somebody done tell me, Junior, somebody done
hoodoo
the hoodoo man
I buzzed your bell this morning, elevator running
slow
I buzzed your bell this morning, take me up to your
third floor.
But I'm holding my hand, Lord I'm trying to make my
baby understand
I'm gonna tell you one time, ain't gonna tell you no
more
If I have to tell you again, I'm gonna let you go
But I'm holding my hand, Lord I'm trying to make my
baby understand
"Checkin' On My Baby"
Checkin' on my baby, see what she puttin' down
So many days and nights I been out of town
I wouldn't call home, and I wouldn't even write
I bought me a plane and flew back the same night
Checkin' on my baby, find out what she puttin' down
Checkin' up on my baby, find out what she puttin'
down
So many nights and days I been out of town
"Good Mornin' Lil' Schoolgirl"
Good morning, little schoolgirl, can I go home with
you?
Tell your mother and your poppa, I'm a little
schoolboy too
Lord, I love you baby, just can't help myself
Don't care how you treat me, baby, I don't want nobody
else
Good morning, little schoolgirl, hey hey hey!
Oohweeh, I'm gonna leave you baby, one of these old
days
On account of how you treat me, baby, I'm gonna stay
away
Good morning, little schoolgirl, can I go home with
you?
Come on now, pretty baby, come one home with me
Good morning, little schoolgirl, hey hey hey!
Ooh, oohweeh, I'm gonna buy an airplane, fly all over
your town
Tell everybody, baby, Lord knows you're fine
I can't stand it, baby, just can't help myself
You're so young and pretty, you love somebody else
Good morning, little schoolgirl, hey hey hey!
Ooh, oohweeh!
"My Baby She Left Me"
When my baby she left me, she left me with a mule to
ride
When my baby she left me, she left me with a mule to
ride
When her train left the station that old mule laid
down and died
Man I sent this woman a brand new twenty dollar bill
Lord I sent that woman a brand new twenty dollar bill
Now if that don't bring her back, I'm sure this old
shotgun will
Lake Michigan ain't no river, Chicago ain't no hill
town
Lake Michigan ain't no river, Chicago ain't no hill
town
If I feel like this tomorrow I'm gonna clear out be
back down Memphis bound
I'll be standing down on the landing when the big boat
pull off and roll
I'll be standing on the landing when the big boat pull
off and roll
I'll be hopin' I'll be prayin' I don't see your face
no more
When my baby she left me, she left me with a mule to
ride
When my baby she left me, she left me with a mule to
ride
When her train left the station that old mule laid
down and died
Lord I sent this woman a brand new twenty dollar bill
Man I sent my baby a brand new twenty dollar bill
Now if that don't bring her back, I'm sure my shotgun
will
"Messin' With The Kid"
What's this a-here goin' all around town
The people they say they're gonna put the kid down
Oh no, oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to, I call it messin'
with the kid
You know the kid's no child, and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to, I call it messin'
with the kid
You know the kid's no child, and I don't play
I says what I mean and I mean what I say
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah, oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to, I call it messin'
with the kid
We're gonna take the kid's car and drive around town
Tell everybody you're not puttin' him down
Oh yeah yeah yeah yeah, oh look at what you did
You can call it what you want to, I call it messin'
with the...
Showing posts with label Muddy Waters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Muddy Waters. Show all posts
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
*Austin City Inner Limits- The Blues Addiction (Thankfully) Of Clifford Antone And The “Antone’s” Experience
Click on title to link to YouTube film clip of Eddie Taylor and Sunnyland Slim, two of the blues artists featured on this DVD review. This, my friends, is blues history down at the base.
DVD Review
Antone’s: Home Of The Blues, Clifford Antone and a huge cast of legendary male and female blues players, old and new, Etc. Film Productions, 2006
Get this DVD. Hold on a minute. Doesn’t this reviewer usually wait until he gives 101reasons why the reader should (or should not) spend time, money and energy on a reviewed item? Get this DVD. Why? This writer has strewn this space with more examples of historically important moments, events or personalities in music and other arts, general human culture and politics than one can shake a stick at. What drives this work is an attempt to give notice to the sometimes unknown (or not well-known) sources and support system for the kind of things that interest him. The blues interests him. And if one views this little gem of a DVD about the efforts of the late Clifford Antone, who for over thirty years was the pivotal figure in the Austin, Texas blues (and other genre) scene, then one will understand what I am trying to get at in these reviews.
Look, these days the popularity of the blues is at one of its lower points. Others forms of entertainment, including the rise and continued dominance of the variants of the hip-hop tradition among the young, the passing or retirement of the post-World War II legendary electric blues players that formed the transmission belt from the early rural blues tradition and dwindling number of us who still value this quintessential form of American music has taken it toll. As this DVD rather graphically, lovingly and with a bit of humor points out the role of “keeper of the flame” is, as they say, a hard dollar.
Yet beginning in 1975 (another low blues point) Clifford Antone and his friends did exactly that. This documentary is filled with the exploits, great and small, that went into that task, including the usual “talking head” commentary that one expects (and here wants) in this kind of documentary). Now “Antone’s” in Austin, Texas does for the blues tradition what the promoters of mountain music in Ashville, North Carolina or the owners of Club Passim (now non-profit) and Caffe Lena’s did for folk music in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Saratoga, New York have done to ‘keep the flame alive’ in these important musical traditions. But even more than that Clifford Antone and friends, seemingly, connected with every important living blues tradition of the last half of the 20th century. There are probably few places in America where the Muddy Waters/Howlin’ Wolf tradition (in the person of legendary guitarist Hubert Sumelin) could meet Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughn, Doug Sahm, the Thunderbirds and a host of other Texas talent- and it worked. Get this DVD. Oops, I said that already, didn’t I.
Illinois Blues - Sunnyland Slim lyrics
Boys, I'm walkin' an thinkin'
Woo-ooo!
But I ain't doin' myself no good
Woo-ooo!
I'm walkin' an thinkin'
Woo!
But I ain't doin' myself no good
Yoo-hoo-hoo!
The one I love
Woo-ooo!
Done left the neighborhood
Well, I hate to hear
Woo!
That Illinois Central, blow
Woo!
I hate to hear
Woo!
That Illinois Central, blow
Woo-hoo!
It fly on just like
Woo!
It won't be back no mo-oh-ore'
'Well, alright let me hear ya, Mr. Davis'
'Play it for me one time'
'You know what I'm talkin' about'
'Lord, have mercy, man have it'
'Lord, have mercy!'
'That low part, Mr. Ransom
You know what I'm talkin' about'
'Play it, man'
'Ah, mercy, mercy, mercy!'
'That makes me get homesick
sho' enough, now'
I wanna tell you people
Woo-ooo!
What the Illinois Central will do
Woo-hoo!
I wanna tell you people
Woo!
What the Illinois Central will do
Woo-hoo!
It'll steal your woman
Woo-hoo!
And blow back after you
I have tried to give up
Woo!
But it's a hard old thing to do
(I'll show you!)
Woo-hoo!
I have tried to give the girl up
Woo!
But it's a hard old thing to do
Woo!
So, I just keep on drinkin', John Davis
Woo!
Because I just can't believe it's through.
DVD Review
Antone’s: Home Of The Blues, Clifford Antone and a huge cast of legendary male and female blues players, old and new, Etc. Film Productions, 2006
Get this DVD. Hold on a minute. Doesn’t this reviewer usually wait until he gives 101reasons why the reader should (or should not) spend time, money and energy on a reviewed item? Get this DVD. Why? This writer has strewn this space with more examples of historically important moments, events or personalities in music and other arts, general human culture and politics than one can shake a stick at. What drives this work is an attempt to give notice to the sometimes unknown (or not well-known) sources and support system for the kind of things that interest him. The blues interests him. And if one views this little gem of a DVD about the efforts of the late Clifford Antone, who for over thirty years was the pivotal figure in the Austin, Texas blues (and other genre) scene, then one will understand what I am trying to get at in these reviews.
Look, these days the popularity of the blues is at one of its lower points. Others forms of entertainment, including the rise and continued dominance of the variants of the hip-hop tradition among the young, the passing or retirement of the post-World War II legendary electric blues players that formed the transmission belt from the early rural blues tradition and dwindling number of us who still value this quintessential form of American music has taken it toll. As this DVD rather graphically, lovingly and with a bit of humor points out the role of “keeper of the flame” is, as they say, a hard dollar.
Yet beginning in 1975 (another low blues point) Clifford Antone and his friends did exactly that. This documentary is filled with the exploits, great and small, that went into that task, including the usual “talking head” commentary that one expects (and here wants) in this kind of documentary). Now “Antone’s” in Austin, Texas does for the blues tradition what the promoters of mountain music in Ashville, North Carolina or the owners of Club Passim (now non-profit) and Caffe Lena’s did for folk music in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Saratoga, New York have done to ‘keep the flame alive’ in these important musical traditions. But even more than that Clifford Antone and friends, seemingly, connected with every important living blues tradition of the last half of the 20th century. There are probably few places in America where the Muddy Waters/Howlin’ Wolf tradition (in the person of legendary guitarist Hubert Sumelin) could meet Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughn, Doug Sahm, the Thunderbirds and a host of other Texas talent- and it worked. Get this DVD. Oops, I said that already, didn’t I.
Illinois Blues - Sunnyland Slim lyrics
Boys, I'm walkin' an thinkin'
Woo-ooo!
But I ain't doin' myself no good
Woo-ooo!
I'm walkin' an thinkin'
Woo!
But I ain't doin' myself no good
Yoo-hoo-hoo!
The one I love
Woo-ooo!
Done left the neighborhood
Well, I hate to hear
Woo!
That Illinois Central, blow
Woo!
I hate to hear
Woo!
That Illinois Central, blow
Woo-hoo!
It fly on just like
Woo!
It won't be back no mo-oh-ore'
'Well, alright let me hear ya, Mr. Davis'
'Play it for me one time'
'You know what I'm talkin' about'
'Lord, have mercy, man have it'
'Lord, have mercy!'
'That low part, Mr. Ransom
You know what I'm talkin' about'
'Play it, man'
'Ah, mercy, mercy, mercy!'
'That makes me get homesick
sho' enough, now'
I wanna tell you people
Woo-ooo!
What the Illinois Central will do
Woo-hoo!
I wanna tell you people
Woo!
What the Illinois Central will do
Woo-hoo!
It'll steal your woman
Woo-hoo!
And blow back after you
I have tried to give up
Woo!
But it's a hard old thing to do
(I'll show you!)
Woo-hoo!
I have tried to give the girl up
Woo!
But it's a hard old thing to do
Woo!
So, I just keep on drinkin', John Davis
Woo!
Because I just can't believe it's through.
Monday, March 30, 2009
*Lyrics, Etc. For "Two Trains Coming"
Here is a song in different variations and with some notes that tells the tale that playwright August Wilson presents in his "Two Trains Coming" play of the Century cycle. Markin
Two Trains Running
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
So far as is known, the Dead did this only once, on 15 December 1971. It's a fragment Pigpen inserted in Lovelight.
Well there's two trains a-coming
Two trains coming
One comes around midnight
Other one comes by day
The best-known recording under this title is probably that by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, credited on the album to "Davis". But it seems that the originas go back to early Muddy Waters and probably before that.
The lyrics of the Paul Butterfield version are:
Well there's two trains running
But there's not one going my way
Yeah one runs at midnight
Other's just for day
Other's just for day
Other's just for day
I went down to my baby's house
And I sat down on her steps
She said come on in here baby
My old man just left
Yeah just now left
My old man just left
Yes I wish I was a catfish
Swimming in the deep blue sea
I'd have all you pretty women
Fishing after me
Fishing after me
Fishing after me
Well she's long and she's tall
And she shakes just like a willow tree
You say she's no good
But she's all right with me
She's all right with me
She's all right with me
She's all right with me
Little girl's all right, all right with me
She give me loving in the morning
[etc]
The Muddy Waters version was originally recorded in 1951 under the title "Still A Fool". Thanks to Anita Cantor for alerting me to this, and pointing me to a Rob Quinn transcription of the lyrics. According to Anita, Muddy Waters also recorded it with different lyrics under the title "She's All Right"
The Muddy Waters lyrics are:
Well now there's two
There's two trains runnin'
Well ain't not one, (ho!) goin' my way
Well now one run at midnight
And the other one runnin' just 'fore day
A runnin' just 'fore day
It's runnin' just 'fore day
Oh Lord
Sure 'nough then
Oh well
Hmm, (ho) (ho)
Somebody help me (ho) with these blues
Well now, she's the one I'm lovin'
She the one I do hate to lose
I do hate to lose
I do hate to lose
Oh Lord
Sure enough I do
Oh well
I been crazy
Yes I been a fool
I been crazy, oh all my life
Well I done fell in love with her
With another man's wife
With another man's wife
With another man's wife
Oh Lord
Sure 'nough I done
Oh well
Long, she's long and tall
'Til she weeps like a willow tree
Well now, then say she's no good
But she's all right
She's all right with me
She's all right
She's all right
She's all right
She's all right
Two Trains Running
Lyrics: Traditional
Music: Traditional
So far as is known, the Dead did this only once, on 15 December 1971. It's a fragment Pigpen inserted in Lovelight.
Well there's two trains a-coming
Two trains coming
One comes around midnight
Other one comes by day
The best-known recording under this title is probably that by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, credited on the album to "Davis". But it seems that the originas go back to early Muddy Waters and probably before that.
The lyrics of the Paul Butterfield version are:
Well there's two trains running
But there's not one going my way
Yeah one runs at midnight
Other's just for day
Other's just for day
Other's just for day
I went down to my baby's house
And I sat down on her steps
She said come on in here baby
My old man just left
Yeah just now left
My old man just left
Yes I wish I was a catfish
Swimming in the deep blue sea
I'd have all you pretty women
Fishing after me
Fishing after me
Fishing after me
Well she's long and she's tall
And she shakes just like a willow tree
You say she's no good
But she's all right with me
She's all right with me
She's all right with me
She's all right with me
Little girl's all right, all right with me
She give me loving in the morning
[etc]
The Muddy Waters version was originally recorded in 1951 under the title "Still A Fool". Thanks to Anita Cantor for alerting me to this, and pointing me to a Rob Quinn transcription of the lyrics. According to Anita, Muddy Waters also recorded it with different lyrics under the title "She's All Right"
The Muddy Waters lyrics are:
Well now there's two
There's two trains runnin'
Well ain't not one, (ho!) goin' my way
Well now one run at midnight
And the other one runnin' just 'fore day
A runnin' just 'fore day
It's runnin' just 'fore day
Oh Lord
Sure 'nough then
Oh well
Hmm, (ho) (ho)
Somebody help me (ho) with these blues
Well now, she's the one I'm lovin'
She the one I do hate to lose
I do hate to lose
I do hate to lose
Oh Lord
Sure enough I do
Oh well
I been crazy
Yes I been a fool
I been crazy, oh all my life
Well I done fell in love with her
With another man's wife
With another man's wife
With another man's wife
Oh Lord
Sure 'nough I done
Oh well
Long, she's long and tall
'Til she weeps like a willow tree
Well now, then say she's no good
But she's all right
She's all right with me
She's all right
She's all right
She's all right
She's all right
Sunday, March 22, 2009
*When The Blues Was Dues- The "Second Coming"
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Sippy Wallace performing "Women Be Wise". Wow!
DVD REVIEW
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 1, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim. The underrated Otis Rush. John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and on and on. The stealers of the show- Lonny Johnson and Sippy Wallace (doing her classic “Don’t Advertise Your Man”. Wow.). Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Otis Rush). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi blues Lyrics
Album: Parchman Farm Blues
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
Them Aberdeen women told me
Will buy my gasoline
Hey, two little women
That I ain't ever seen
They has two little women
That I ain't never seen
These two little women
Just from New Orlean
Ooh, sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
I'm sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
Well, I believe them Aberdeen women
Gonna make me lose my mind, yeah
(slide guitar & washboard)
Aber-deen is my home
But the mens don't want me around
Aberdeen is my home
But the men don't want me around
They know I will take these women
An take them outta town
Listen, you Aberdeen women
You know I ain't got no dime
Oh-oh listen you women
You know'd I ain't got no dime
They been had the po' boy
All up and down.
(guitar & washboard to end)
DVD REVIEW
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 1, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim. The underrated Otis Rush. John Lee Hooker, Junior Wells, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and on and on. The stealers of the show- Lonny Johnson and Sippy Wallace (doing her classic “Don’t Advertise Your Man”. Wow.). Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Otis Rush). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi blues Lyrics
Album: Parchman Farm Blues
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
Them Aberdeen women told me
Will buy my gasoline
Hey, two little women
That I ain't ever seen
They has two little women
That I ain't never seen
These two little women
Just from New Orlean
Ooh, sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
I'm sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
Well, I believe them Aberdeen women
Gonna make me lose my mind, yeah
(slide guitar & washboard)
Aber-deen is my home
But the mens don't want me around
Aberdeen is my home
But the men don't want me around
They know I will take these women
An take them outta town
Listen, you Aberdeen women
You know I ain't got no dime
Oh-oh listen you women
You know'd I ain't got no dime
They been had the po' boy
All up and down.
(guitar & washboard to end)
*When The Blues Was Dues- A Wrap-Up
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Sister Rosetta Tharpe performing "Above My Head".
DVD Review
Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Memphis Slim). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
The American Folk Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe, in this volume to Britain, to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling Sonny Boy Williamson. The primordial Howlin’ Wolf. Big Joe Williams. The underrated Big Joe Turner. The underrated Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and on and on. The stealer of the show- Lightnin’ Hopkins. Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Otis Rush). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
DVD Review
Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Memphis Slim). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
The American Folk Blues Festival: The British Tours 1963-1966, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe, in this volume to Britain, to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling Sonny Boy Williamson. The primordial Howlin’ Wolf. Big Joe Williams. The underrated Big Joe Turner. The underrated Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Junior Wells, Otis Rush, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters and on and on. The stealer of the show- Lightnin’ Hopkins. Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Otis Rush). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
*When The Blues Was Dues- Volume Three
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Bukka White performing "Aberdeen Mississippi Woman". Wow!
DVD Review
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 3, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance, thanks to these recently discovered archives rescued by German cinema, to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim, as always. Good solo performances by Roosevelt Sykes, a young Buddy Guy and “Big Joe” Turner. A nice section featuring the old country blues singers Skip James, Son House and Bukka White. A finale led by Helen Humes with an All-Star lineup including T-Bone, Willie Dixon, Jumping Jack and a host of others. For my money though the stealer of this show is Bukka White mentioned above. I might add that this is not the first time I have made mention of that fact, even against my favorites Son House and Howlin’ Wolf. Bukka’s long version of his classic “Cannonball” flipped me out. When he gets to flailing on that old National Steel guitar he “owns” it.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi blues Lyrics
Album: Parchman Farm Blues
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
Them Aberdeen women told me
Will buy my gasoline
Hey, two little women
That I ain't ever seen
They has two little women
That I ain't never seen
These two little women
Just from New Orlean
Ooh, sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
I'm sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
Well, I believe them Aberdeen women
Gonna make me lose my mind, yeah
(slide guitar & washboard)
Aber-deen is my home
But the mens don't want me around
Aberdeen is my home
But the men don't want me around
They know I will take these women
An take them outta town
Listen, you Aberdeen women
You know I ain't got no dime
Oh-oh listen you women
You know'd I ain't got no dime
They been had the po' boy
All up and down.
(guitar & washboard to end)
DVD Review
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 3, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance, thanks to these recently discovered archives rescued by German cinema, to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim, as always. Good solo performances by Roosevelt Sykes, a young Buddy Guy and “Big Joe” Turner. A nice section featuring the old country blues singers Skip James, Son House and Bukka White. A finale led by Helen Humes with an All-Star lineup including T-Bone, Willie Dixon, Jumping Jack and a host of others. For my money though the stealer of this show is Bukka White mentioned above. I might add that this is not the first time I have made mention of that fact, even against my favorites Son House and Howlin’ Wolf. Bukka’s long version of his classic “Cannonball” flipped me out. When he gets to flailing on that old National Steel guitar he “owns” it.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
Bukka White - Aberdeen, Mississippi blues Lyrics
Album: Parchman Farm Blues
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
I was over in Aberdeen
On my way to New Orlean
Them Aberdeen women told me
Will buy my gasoline
Hey, two little women
That I ain't ever seen
They has two little women
That I ain't never seen
These two little women
Just from New Orlean
Ooh, sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
I'm sittin' down in Aberdeen
With New Orlean on my mind
Well, I believe them Aberdeen women
Gonna make me lose my mind, yeah
(slide guitar & washboard)
Aber-deen is my home
But the mens don't want me around
Aberdeen is my home
But the men don't want me around
They know I will take these women
An take them outta town
Listen, you Aberdeen women
You know I ain't got no dime
Oh-oh listen you women
You know'd I ain't got no dime
They been had the po' boy
All up and down.
(guitar & washboard to end)
*When The Blues Was Dues- The "Second Coming"-Volume Two
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Howlin' Wolf performing "Smokestack Lightning". Wow.
DVD Review
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 2, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance, thanks to these recently discovered archives rescued by German cinema, to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim, as always. A nice performance by Victoria Spivey (with those dazzling eye movements of hers giving expression to her song). “Big Mama” Thornton leads an All-Star cast of harmonica players (including John Lee Hooker) in one of the most outlandish outfits I have seen in a while. But, Big Mama rocks here. However, the performer who steals this show is the ever great Howlin’ Wolf. I commented in a previous review of his work that in a video clip that I had seen he practically devoured the microphone performing “The Red Rooster”. Here he practically obliterates his small (for him) guitar when he gets rolling. Wow.
Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Memphis Slim). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Note: Check out the bonus track section for a couple of ‘hot’ guitar efforts by the great Earl Hooker, another underrated artist who deserves (and will receive)
separate consideration in this space later.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
DVD Review
The American Folk Blues Festival: 1962-1966: Volume 2, Reelin’ In The Years Production, 2003
You know when we were listening to all those folkies like Bob Dylan, Dave Van Ronk and Joan Baez or starting to pick up on the Beatles or The Rolling Stones the American home grown blues was traveling to Europe to be appreciated by those audiences. Well, what goes around comes around. Here we have a ‘second’ chance, thanks to these recently discovered archives rescued by German cinema, to see what we missed from the legends that were just winding down their careers.
So what do we have here? A sizzling T-Bone Walker. Sonny and Brownie. Memphis Slim, as always. A nice performance by Victoria Spivey (with those dazzling eye movements of hers giving expression to her song). “Big Mama” Thornton leads an All-Star cast of harmonica players (including John Lee Hooker) in one of the most outlandish outfits I have seen in a while. But, Big Mama rocks here. However, the performer who steals this show is the ever great Howlin’ Wolf. I commented in a previous review of his work that in a video clip that I had seen he practically devoured the microphone performing “The Red Rooster”. Here he practically obliterates his small (for him) guitar when he gets rolling. Wow.
Those who follow the blues will be familiar with all the line up here. Practically every one of these performers has been reviewed by this writer elsewhere in this space (with the exception, I think, of Memphis Slim). So here you get them all under one roof while they are ‘hot’. For those who are unfamiliar with the performers or with classical acoustic and electric blues here’s your primer. Get working.
Note: Check out the bonus track section for a couple of ‘hot’ guitar efforts by the great Earl Hooker, another underrated artist who deserves (and will receive)
separate consideration in this space later.
Women Be Wise
Sippy Wallace
(Additional lyrics by John Beach)
Olwen Music- BMI
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around gossiping, explaining what your good man really can do
Some women nowadays, Lord they ain't no good
They will laugh in your face, Then try to steal your man from you
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Your best girlfriend, she might be a highbrow, she changes clothes 3 times a day
What do you think she's doing now, while you're so far away
She's loving your man in your own damn bed
You better call for the doctor, mama, try to investigate your head
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't sit around, girl, telling all your secrets,
telling all those good things he really can do
If you talk about your baby, you tell me he's so fine
Lord honey, I just might sneek up and try to make him mine
Women be wise, keep your mouth shut, don't advertise your man
Don't be no fool, don't advertise your man (baby don't do it)
"The Red Rooster" by Willie Dixon
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
I have a little red rooster, too lazy to crow for day
Keep everything in the barnyard, upset in every way
Oh the dogs begin to bark, and the hound begin to howl
Oh the dogs begin to bark, hound begin to howl
Ooh watch out strange kind people, cause little red rooster is on the prowl
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
If you see my little red rooster, please drag him home
There ain't no peace in the barnyard, since the little red rooster been gone
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
*The King Of The Slide Guitar, An Encore- Elmore James
Click on the title to link to a "YouTube" film clip of Elmore James performing his classic slide rendition of "It Hurts Me Too". Wow!
CD Review
Who’s Muddy Shoes, Elmore James with John Brim and others, MCA, 1969
Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Who’s Muddy Shoes?” Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Madison Blues”, “Talk To Me Baby” and “Stormy Monday” round out the minimum program here. John Brim's vocals add in spots. Listen on.
"Madison Blues" Lyrics
Ahh, you babes talk about your Madison shoes
We got a thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
I know a gal her name is Lindsey Lou
She told me she loved me but I know it ain't true
Put on your Madison shoes
Put on your Madison blue shoes
I got the Madison blues
Now put on your Madison blue shoes
Ahh, you cats talking about your Madison shoes
We do the thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
Ah you babes talk about your Madison shoes
We got a thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
CD Review
Who’s Muddy Shoes, Elmore James with John Brim and others, MCA, 1969
Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Who’s Muddy Shoes?” Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Madison Blues”, “Talk To Me Baby” and “Stormy Monday” round out the minimum program here. John Brim's vocals add in spots. Listen on.
"Madison Blues" Lyrics
Ahh, you babes talk about your Madison shoes
We got a thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
I know a gal her name is Lindsey Lou
She told me she loved me but I know it ain't true
Put on your Madison shoes
Put on your Madison blue shoes
I got the Madison blues
Now put on your Madison blue shoes
Ahh, you cats talking about your Madison shoes
We do the thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
Ah you babes talk about your Madison shoes
We got a thing we call the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues
We do the Madison blues baby
Rock away your blues
*The King Of The Slide Guitar, One More Time - Elmore James
Click on the title to link to a "YouTube" film clip of Elmore James performing his (and Robert Johnson's) classic, "Dust My Broom".
The Very Best Of Elmore James, Elmore James with the Broomdusters, Virgin Records, 1986
Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD
though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Standing At The Crossroads”. Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Sure Enough I Do”, “Wild About You Baby" and “Mean and Evil” round out the minimum program here. Listen on.
Dust My Broom
Robert Johnson, Elmore James
I'm gonna get up in the mornin',
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin',
girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' write a letter,
Telephone every town I know (2x)
If I can't find her in West Helena,
She must be in East Monroe, I know
I don't want no woman,
Wants every downtown man she meet (2x)
She's a no good doney,
They shouldn't 'low her on the street
I believe, I believe I'll go back home (2x)
You can mistreat me here, babe,
But you can't when I go home
And I'm gettin' up in the morning,
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man that you been lovin',
Girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' call up Chiney,
She is my good girl over there (2x)
If I can't find her on Philippine's Island,
She must be in Ethiopia somewhere
Robert Johnson
The Very Best Of Elmore James, Elmore James with the Broomdusters, Virgin Records, 1986
Well, what did you NEED to listen to here? Obviously,”Dust My Broom”. On this CD
though you MUST listen to Elmore on “Standing At The Crossroads”. Wow, it jumps right out at you. “Sure Enough I Do”, “Wild About You Baby" and “Mean and Evil” round out the minimum program here. Listen on.
Dust My Broom
Robert Johnson, Elmore James
I'm gonna get up in the mornin',
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man you been lovin',
girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' write a letter,
Telephone every town I know (2x)
If I can't find her in West Helena,
She must be in East Monroe, I know
I don't want no woman,
Wants every downtown man she meet (2x)
She's a no good doney,
They shouldn't 'low her on the street
I believe, I believe I'll go back home (2x)
You can mistreat me here, babe,
But you can't when I go home
And I'm gettin' up in the morning,
I believe I'll dust my broom (2x)
Girlfriend, the black man that you been lovin',
Girlfriend, can get my room
I'm gon' call up Chiney,
She is my good girl over there (2x)
If I can't find her on Philippine's Island,
She must be in Ethiopia somewhere
Robert Johnson
Saturday, February 21, 2009
*A Blues Potpourri-The Blues Is Dues, Part II-Every Day He May Have The Blues But You Won’t
Click on the headline to link to a "YouTube" film clip of Willie Dixon performing his"29 Ways."
CD REVIEW
February Is Black History Month
As those familiar with this space know I have spent a good amount of ink touting various old time blues legends that I ‘discovered’ in my youth. My intention, in part, is to introduce a new generation to this roots music but also to demonstrate a connection between this black-centered music and the struggle for black liberation that both blacks and whites can appreciate. Like virtually all forms of music that lasts more than five minutes the blues has had its ups and downs. After becoming electric and urbanized in the immediate post-World War II period it was eclipsed by the advent of rock&roll then made a comeback in the mid- 1960's with the surge of English bands that grew up on this music, and so on. Most recently there was mini-resurgence with the justifiably well-received Martin Scorsese PBS six-part blues series in 2003. A little earlier, in the mid-1990’s, there had also been a short-lived reemergence spearheaded by the ‘discovery’ of urban blues pioneer Robert Johnson’s music.
The long and short of this phenomenon is that commercial record production of this music waxed and waned reflecting that checkered history. I have, in the interest of variety for the novice, selected these CDs as a decent cross-section of blues (and its antecedents in earlier forms of roots music) as to gender, time and type. The following reviewed CDs represent first of all an attempt by record companies to meet the 1990’s surge. They also represent a hard fact of musical life. Like rock&roll the blues will never die. Praise be. Feast on these compilations.
Every Day He May Have The Blues But You Won’t
Living The Blues: Blues Greats, MCA Records, 1995
If you have read my review of “Living The Blues: Blues Masters” then this compilation is an extension of that CD as to the level of talent. Very good work ,as is to be expected, by Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, the under-appreciated Otis Rush on “Double Trouble” place this CD just fraction below the previously reviewed “Blues Masters”. Additional standout work includes impresario Willie Dixon (who deserves and will receive individual review later) on his own “29 Ways”. T-Bone Walker on his “T-Bone Shuffle" (was there a better electric blues guitar player?), Little Walter (and his incredible harmonica) on “Juke” and “Driving Wheel” by Little Junior Parker.
29 Ways
Willie Dixon
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby's door
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby's door
And if she needs me bad
I can find about two or three more
I got one through the basement
Two down the hall
And when the going gets tough
I got a hole in the wall
CHORUS
I can come through the chimney like Santa Claus
Go through the window and that ain't all
A lot of good ways I don't want you to know
I even got a hole in the bedroom floor
CHORUS
I got a way through the closet behind her clothes
A way through the attic that no one knows
A master key that fits every lock
A hidden door behind the grandfather clock
CHORUS
© 1956
CD REVIEW
February Is Black History Month
As those familiar with this space know I have spent a good amount of ink touting various old time blues legends that I ‘discovered’ in my youth. My intention, in part, is to introduce a new generation to this roots music but also to demonstrate a connection between this black-centered music and the struggle for black liberation that both blacks and whites can appreciate. Like virtually all forms of music that lasts more than five minutes the blues has had its ups and downs. After becoming electric and urbanized in the immediate post-World War II period it was eclipsed by the advent of rock&roll then made a comeback in the mid- 1960's with the surge of English bands that grew up on this music, and so on. Most recently there was mini-resurgence with the justifiably well-received Martin Scorsese PBS six-part blues series in 2003. A little earlier, in the mid-1990’s, there had also been a short-lived reemergence spearheaded by the ‘discovery’ of urban blues pioneer Robert Johnson’s music.
The long and short of this phenomenon is that commercial record production of this music waxed and waned reflecting that checkered history. I have, in the interest of variety for the novice, selected these CDs as a decent cross-section of blues (and its antecedents in earlier forms of roots music) as to gender, time and type. The following reviewed CDs represent first of all an attempt by record companies to meet the 1990’s surge. They also represent a hard fact of musical life. Like rock&roll the blues will never die. Praise be. Feast on these compilations.
Every Day He May Have The Blues But You Won’t
Living The Blues: Blues Greats, MCA Records, 1995
If you have read my review of “Living The Blues: Blues Masters” then this compilation is an extension of that CD as to the level of talent. Very good work ,as is to be expected, by Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Elmore James, the under-appreciated Otis Rush on “Double Trouble” place this CD just fraction below the previously reviewed “Blues Masters”. Additional standout work includes impresario Willie Dixon (who deserves and will receive individual review later) on his own “29 Ways”. T-Bone Walker on his “T-Bone Shuffle" (was there a better electric blues guitar player?), Little Walter (and his incredible harmonica) on “Juke” and “Driving Wheel” by Little Junior Parker.
29 Ways
Willie Dixon
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby's door
I got 29 ways to make it to my baby's door
And if she needs me bad
I can find about two or three more
I got one through the basement
Two down the hall
And when the going gets tough
I got a hole in the wall
CHORUS
I can come through the chimney like Santa Claus
Go through the window and that ain't all
A lot of good ways I don't want you to know
I even got a hole in the bedroom floor
CHORUS
I got a way through the closet behind her clothes
A way through the attic that no one knows
A master key that fits every lock
A hidden door behind the grandfather clock
CHORUS
© 1956
Sunday, January 25, 2009
*The Hoochie Coochie Man- The Blues of Muddy Waters -"He's Got His Mojo Workin'"
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Muddy Waters in Performance mode.
DVD Review
Muddy's Got His Mojo Working
Muddy Waters: Got My Mojo Working, German Cinema, 2003
Recently I watched this German cinema produced film concert documentary compilation as a companion piece to the documentary of Muddy’s life- “Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied”. If you need background about the life and work of this important blues artist and innovator check out my review of it in this space (above). And get the film. If you just need a flat out “short course” in the electric blues of Mr. Muddy Waters and his various bands then this is the ticket. Some of the concert material is so-so, some is excellent. What you want to get this one for though is his incredible extended version of “Mannish Boy”. Hoochie Coochie Man, indeed.
DVD Review
Muddy's Got His Mojo Working
Muddy Waters: Got My Mojo Working, German Cinema, 2003
Recently I watched this German cinema produced film concert documentary compilation as a companion piece to the documentary of Muddy’s life- “Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied”. If you need background about the life and work of this important blues artist and innovator check out my review of it in this space (above). And get the film. If you just need a flat out “short course” in the electric blues of Mr. Muddy Waters and his various bands then this is the ticket. Some of the concert material is so-so, some is excellent. What you want to get this one for though is his incredible extended version of “Mannish Boy”. Hoochie Coochie Man, indeed.
*The Hoochie Coochie Man- The Blues of Muddy Waters
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Muddy waters Performing "He's Got His Mojo Workin'".
DVD Review
Anytime Is Blues History Month
Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied, Muddy Waters, various band members and other artists, Productions,1997
Over the past year I have made some effort to trace back the roots of the blues by highlighting various seemingly forgotten blues artists, mainly from the country blues branch. I have also mentioned that the huge black migration of blacks in the 1930’ sand 1940’s from the South to the North, mainly up the river to Chicago, called for a different kind of energy and so the blues got plugged in to reflect that change. One would think that well before now I would have covered the great Muddy Waters, a seminal figure in that transformation of the blues. There are a few reasons what this has not been done previously. For one, I have tried to concentrate on the country blues artist, many who have been unjustly neglected. For another, I was aware that “Cadillac Records”, essentially the story of Muddy and his relationship to Chicago’s Chess Records, the key outlet for electric blues during its rise, was to be released at the end of 2008. But the main reason is that when it comes to the question of the “King of Chicago Blues” Howlin’ Wolf is my choice and I have felt no urgency to get to Muddy’s work, as important as it is to my project.
That said, this well made production highlighting the career and work of Muddy Waters is well worth the watch whatever your sympathies. As usual with these kinds of efforts there are many “talking heads” that inevitably populate this format. These include, importantly, various musicians that worked with Muddy over the years, like James Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite, and provide insight into his musician style, his personal habits including his womanizing and drinking, his on-and- off stage presences, a tour of various spots in Chicago where the music was made in the old days and a hint at his personality. There are also the appreciations by various later musicians influenced by Muddy, including Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and the ubiquitous Keith Richards. Finally there are family members, girlfriends and others giving their, sometimes painful, recollections of the man.
Additionally, this film provides a running commentary through Muddy’s life, of the ups and downs of Chicago blues and the artists that performed that work. We get glances of Muddy’s start as a Delta artist in the late 1930’s, the transformation of his work as he hits Chicago in the war time 1940’s, his fight to be “King of the Hill”, his effect on other artists, the decline of the blues with the onslaught of rock & roll in the 1950’s, the revival in the 1960’s and his ultimate place in the blues pantheon. Along the way we get to hear snippets of his most famous work, including “Can’t Be Satisfied” and “Mannish Boy”. I, personally, do not think they compare to Howlin’ Wolf on “The Red Rooster” or “The Killing Floor” but this film gives those who have Muddy as number one in their electric blues pantheon plenty of ammunition for their position.
DVD Review
Anytime Is Blues History Month
Muddy Waters Can’t Be Satisfied, Muddy Waters, various band members and other artists, Productions,1997
Over the past year I have made some effort to trace back the roots of the blues by highlighting various seemingly forgotten blues artists, mainly from the country blues branch. I have also mentioned that the huge black migration of blacks in the 1930’ sand 1940’s from the South to the North, mainly up the river to Chicago, called for a different kind of energy and so the blues got plugged in to reflect that change. One would think that well before now I would have covered the great Muddy Waters, a seminal figure in that transformation of the blues. There are a few reasons what this has not been done previously. For one, I have tried to concentrate on the country blues artist, many who have been unjustly neglected. For another, I was aware that “Cadillac Records”, essentially the story of Muddy and his relationship to Chicago’s Chess Records, the key outlet for electric blues during its rise, was to be released at the end of 2008. But the main reason is that when it comes to the question of the “King of Chicago Blues” Howlin’ Wolf is my choice and I have felt no urgency to get to Muddy’s work, as important as it is to my project.
That said, this well made production highlighting the career and work of Muddy Waters is well worth the watch whatever your sympathies. As usual with these kinds of efforts there are many “talking heads” that inevitably populate this format. These include, importantly, various musicians that worked with Muddy over the years, like James Cotton and Charlie Musselwhite, and provide insight into his musician style, his personal habits including his womanizing and drinking, his on-and- off stage presences, a tour of various spots in Chicago where the music was made in the old days and a hint at his personality. There are also the appreciations by various later musicians influenced by Muddy, including Bonnie Raitt, Eric Clapton and the ubiquitous Keith Richards. Finally there are family members, girlfriends and others giving their, sometimes painful, recollections of the man.
Additionally, this film provides a running commentary through Muddy’s life, of the ups and downs of Chicago blues and the artists that performed that work. We get glances of Muddy’s start as a Delta artist in the late 1930’s, the transformation of his work as he hits Chicago in the war time 1940’s, his fight to be “King of the Hill”, his effect on other artists, the decline of the blues with the onslaught of rock & roll in the 1950’s, the revival in the 1960’s and his ultimate place in the blues pantheon. Along the way we get to hear snippets of his most famous work, including “Can’t Be Satisfied” and “Mannish Boy”. I, personally, do not think they compare to Howlin’ Wolf on “The Red Rooster” or “The Killing Floor” but this film gives those who have Muddy as number one in their electric blues pantheon plenty of ammunition for their position.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Doin' His Midnight Creep- The Howlin' Wolf Story
DVD REVIEW
Doin' His Midnight Creep- The Howlin' Wolf Story
The Howlin’ Wolf Story, Howlin’ Wolf and various artists and commentators, Productions, 2004
I have reviewed several of Howlin’ Wolf’s CDs in this space previously and had expected that this documentary about the life, the times and the influence of this incredible blues performer would merely be an appetizer for further reviews of his music. Not so. This well-done, lovingly put together and extremely informative documentary is a worthy viewing for the novice and old Wolf aficionados like me. Thus, rather than placing this commentary as a tail to some other Wolf entry it is worthy of separate entry here.
In this presentation filled, as always in this kind of work, with the inevitable “talking heads” we go from Wolf‘s roots down in the Mississippi Delta, cotton country and nothing else, in the 1920’s and 1930’s through to the first stop up the Mississippi at Memphis on to the Mecca Chicago in the post- World War II period and finally to international renown in the blues revival started by the likes of The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton the mid-1960s. In short we are treated to a view of the trajectory of Wolf’s life; unlike let us say Son House with whom Wolf worked with in the old days who stuck with the country roots, from country blues of the back road jukes to the electricity of the urban ghetto that made those old blues jump for, at first, migratory urban blacks and then young whites like this reviewer. Along the way many of the musicians that worked with Wolf like Hubert Sumerlin, a blues guitarist legend in his own right, and Sam Lay as well as Wolf’s daughters, the Chess Record producer Marshall Chess and others give some amusing stories and anecdotes on the life of the great bluesman. And seemingly as always when blues or rock and roll are mentioned little segments with the ubiquitous Sam Phillips of the well-known Sun Recording studio in Memphis.
I do not generally comment on (or for that matter look at) the special features sections of DVD. Not doing so here would be a mistake. There is some nice home movie footage, some interesting Wolf stories by his companions and rivals, a nice segment on the rivalry between Wolf and Muddy Waters to be “King of The Chicago Blues” and a recording of a radio broadcast of Wolf doing "Little Red Rooster". Damn, I flipped out the first time I heard that song when it was covered by The Rolling Stones in the early 1960’s. I also flipped out when I first heard a Wolf recording of it. I don’t know what I would have done had I heard it on my radio then. Probably started hitchhiking for Chicago.
All of this information is nice but I am sure the reader is just as interested to know about the music. Oh yes there is some great footage of classic Wolf efforts. Of course for this reviewer number one is always Wolf’s "Little Red Rooster". Christ, he is practically eating the harmonica by the end of the song. "Lovin’ Spoonful", "Moaning at Midnight" and a host of other songs get their usual professional Wolf treatment. That is a point to be underscored, he was a professional in his approach to the music, its presentation and the way that he could influence a genre that he practically build (along with his competitor Muddy Waters) from scratch. If you need an hour of the Wolf doin’ his Midnight Creep then you really have to see this documentary. Kudos to the filmmakers on this one.
Doin' His Midnight Creep- The Howlin' Wolf Story
The Howlin’ Wolf Story, Howlin’ Wolf and various artists and commentators, Productions, 2004
I have reviewed several of Howlin’ Wolf’s CDs in this space previously and had expected that this documentary about the life, the times and the influence of this incredible blues performer would merely be an appetizer for further reviews of his music. Not so. This well-done, lovingly put together and extremely informative documentary is a worthy viewing for the novice and old Wolf aficionados like me. Thus, rather than placing this commentary as a tail to some other Wolf entry it is worthy of separate entry here.
In this presentation filled, as always in this kind of work, with the inevitable “talking heads” we go from Wolf‘s roots down in the Mississippi Delta, cotton country and nothing else, in the 1920’s and 1930’s through to the first stop up the Mississippi at Memphis on to the Mecca Chicago in the post- World War II period and finally to international renown in the blues revival started by the likes of The Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton the mid-1960s. In short we are treated to a view of the trajectory of Wolf’s life; unlike let us say Son House with whom Wolf worked with in the old days who stuck with the country roots, from country blues of the back road jukes to the electricity of the urban ghetto that made those old blues jump for, at first, migratory urban blacks and then young whites like this reviewer. Along the way many of the musicians that worked with Wolf like Hubert Sumerlin, a blues guitarist legend in his own right, and Sam Lay as well as Wolf’s daughters, the Chess Record producer Marshall Chess and others give some amusing stories and anecdotes on the life of the great bluesman. And seemingly as always when blues or rock and roll are mentioned little segments with the ubiquitous Sam Phillips of the well-known Sun Recording studio in Memphis.
I do not generally comment on (or for that matter look at) the special features sections of DVD. Not doing so here would be a mistake. There is some nice home movie footage, some interesting Wolf stories by his companions and rivals, a nice segment on the rivalry between Wolf and Muddy Waters to be “King of The Chicago Blues” and a recording of a radio broadcast of Wolf doing "Little Red Rooster". Damn, I flipped out the first time I heard that song when it was covered by The Rolling Stones in the early 1960’s. I also flipped out when I first heard a Wolf recording of it. I don’t know what I would have done had I heard it on my radio then. Probably started hitchhiking for Chicago.
All of this information is nice but I am sure the reader is just as interested to know about the music. Oh yes there is some great footage of classic Wolf efforts. Of course for this reviewer number one is always Wolf’s "Little Red Rooster". Christ, he is practically eating the harmonica by the end of the song. "Lovin’ Spoonful", "Moaning at Midnight" and a host of other songs get their usual professional Wolf treatment. That is a point to be underscored, he was a professional in his approach to the music, its presentation and the way that he could influence a genre that he practically build (along with his competitor Muddy Waters) from scratch. If you need an hour of the Wolf doin’ his Midnight Creep then you really have to see this documentary. Kudos to the filmmakers on this one.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
*”Bluesland” -A Look At The Evolution Of The Blues- In One Place At One Time
Click on title to link to YouTube's film clip of Muddy Waters performing "Hoochie Coochie Man" at the New Port Jazz Festival in 1960. Wow!
DVD Review
Bluesland: Masters Of American Music Series, various artists, BMG, 1991
Okay, apparently I will review any item that comes my way that has even the remotest connection with the blues, the history of the blues, or the individual performances of blues artists, great and small. I confess to being an aficionado and have been since my jaded youth. However, I know damn well that not everyone either shares that addiction or has heard enough to make a judgment. Thus, while I now tend to shy away from anthologies and general histories on this subject and have been honing in on individual genres and styles within the broad terms of what the blues are, when one of those crosses my desk that seems reasonably well-done and gives good sense of where the blues came from and….where it is going I will take the time to write a few word about it, especially as here there when there is a great deal of rare film footage involved in the production.
“Bluesland” easily fits those criteria just mentioned, and if there is just a little too much push of the blues as a central American gene in relationship to other musical forms by the presenter and “talking heads” that always feature in such documentaries, it hits all the known high spots of the blues experience and has some very, very good documentary footage accompanying the presentation. Like? Well, like old Son House flailing away on that National guitar of his. Or Muddy Waters tearing the place up in 1960 at the staid old Newport Jazz Festival with his “Hoochie Goochie Man” that had them dancing in the aisles. Or Duke Ellington leading the band in different variations of his classic “Ko-Ko” (including clips shot at the famed Harlem Cotton Club.). Yes, now you get the idea. Some of this footage is incredible.
But enough of the homage to the film footage. The central theme is the evolution of the genre from back in post-Civil War plantation days through Jim Crow sharecropping days that formed the music. Then it moves to the cities in the early part of the 20th century, in the South at first, then upriver to places like Memphis, Chicago and Kansas City. With the urbanization came the key changeover to electric sound in the post World War II period. The story from there is one of a mix and match and partial ellipse with the rise of rock and rock and then back up front again when some British kids, who had been spoon-fed in the late 1950s on it while we were listening to Bobby Vee or whoever, starting linking up wit the likes of Muddy Waters. And then…well we will wait and see. But, if you have any interest at all in the blues or our common musical heritage here in America then you shouldn’t wait.
"Charley Patton High Water Everywhere (part 1) lyrics"
Well, backwater done rose all around Sumner now,
drove me down the line
Backwater done rose at Sumner,
drove poor Charley down the line
Lord, I'll tell the world the water,
done crept through this town
Lord, the whole round country,
Lord, river has overflowed
Lord, the whole round country,
man, is overflowed
You know I can't stay here,
I'll go where it's high, boy
I would goto the hilly country,
but, they got me barred
Now, look-a here now at Leland
river was risin' high
Look-a here boys around Leland tell me,
river was raisin' high
Boy, it's risin' over there, yeah
I'm gonna move to Greenville
fore I leave, goodbye
Look-a here the water now, Lordy,
Levee broke, rose most everywhere
The water at Greenville and Leland,
Lord, it done rose everywhere
Boy, you can't never stay here
I would go down to Rosedale
but, they tell me there's water there
Now, the water now, mama,
done took Charley's town
Well, they tell me the water,
done took Charley's town
Boy, I'm goin' to Vicksburg
Well, I'm goin' to Vicksburg,
for that high of mine
I am goin' up that water,
where lands don't never flow
Well, I'm goin' over the hill where,
water, oh don't ever flow
Boy, hit Sharkey County and everything was down in Stovall
But, that whole county was leavin',
over that Tallahatchie shore Boy,
went to Tallahatchie and got it over there
Lord, the water done rushed all over,
down old Jackson road
Lord, the water done raised,
over the Jackson road
Boy, it starched my clothes
I'm goin' back to the hilly country,
won't be worried no more
"High Water Everywhere (part 2)"
Backwater at Blytheville, backed up all around
Backwater at Blytheville, done took Joiner town
It was fifty families and children come to sink and drown
The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The man said to his women folk, "Lord, we'd better go"
The water was risin', got up in my bed
Lord, the water was rollin', got up to my bed
I thought I would take a trip, Lord,
out on the big ice sled
Oh, I can hear, Lord, Lord, water upon my door,
you know what I mean, look-a here
I hear the ice, Lord, Lord, was sinkin' down,
I couldn't get no boats there, Marion City gone down
So high the water was risin' our men sinkin' down
Man, the water was risin' at places all around,
boy, they's all around
It was fifty men and children come to sink and drown
Oh, Lordy, women and grown men drown
Oh, women and children sinkin' down Lord, have mercy
I couldn't see nobody's home and wasn't no one to be found
DVD Review
Bluesland: Masters Of American Music Series, various artists, BMG, 1991
Okay, apparently I will review any item that comes my way that has even the remotest connection with the blues, the history of the blues, or the individual performances of blues artists, great and small. I confess to being an aficionado and have been since my jaded youth. However, I know damn well that not everyone either shares that addiction or has heard enough to make a judgment. Thus, while I now tend to shy away from anthologies and general histories on this subject and have been honing in on individual genres and styles within the broad terms of what the blues are, when one of those crosses my desk that seems reasonably well-done and gives good sense of where the blues came from and….where it is going I will take the time to write a few word about it, especially as here there when there is a great deal of rare film footage involved in the production.
“Bluesland” easily fits those criteria just mentioned, and if there is just a little too much push of the blues as a central American gene in relationship to other musical forms by the presenter and “talking heads” that always feature in such documentaries, it hits all the known high spots of the blues experience and has some very, very good documentary footage accompanying the presentation. Like? Well, like old Son House flailing away on that National guitar of his. Or Muddy Waters tearing the place up in 1960 at the staid old Newport Jazz Festival with his “Hoochie Goochie Man” that had them dancing in the aisles. Or Duke Ellington leading the band in different variations of his classic “Ko-Ko” (including clips shot at the famed Harlem Cotton Club.). Yes, now you get the idea. Some of this footage is incredible.
But enough of the homage to the film footage. The central theme is the evolution of the genre from back in post-Civil War plantation days through Jim Crow sharecropping days that formed the music. Then it moves to the cities in the early part of the 20th century, in the South at first, then upriver to places like Memphis, Chicago and Kansas City. With the urbanization came the key changeover to electric sound in the post World War II period. The story from there is one of a mix and match and partial ellipse with the rise of rock and rock and then back up front again when some British kids, who had been spoon-fed in the late 1950s on it while we were listening to Bobby Vee or whoever, starting linking up wit the likes of Muddy Waters. And then…well we will wait and see. But, if you have any interest at all in the blues or our common musical heritage here in America then you shouldn’t wait.
"Charley Patton High Water Everywhere (part 1) lyrics"
Well, backwater done rose all around Sumner now,
drove me down the line
Backwater done rose at Sumner,
drove poor Charley down the line
Lord, I'll tell the world the water,
done crept through this town
Lord, the whole round country,
Lord, river has overflowed
Lord, the whole round country,
man, is overflowed
You know I can't stay here,
I'll go where it's high, boy
I would goto the hilly country,
but, they got me barred
Now, look-a here now at Leland
river was risin' high
Look-a here boys around Leland tell me,
river was raisin' high
Boy, it's risin' over there, yeah
I'm gonna move to Greenville
fore I leave, goodbye
Look-a here the water now, Lordy,
Levee broke, rose most everywhere
The water at Greenville and Leland,
Lord, it done rose everywhere
Boy, you can't never stay here
I would go down to Rosedale
but, they tell me there's water there
Now, the water now, mama,
done took Charley's town
Well, they tell me the water,
done took Charley's town
Boy, I'm goin' to Vicksburg
Well, I'm goin' to Vicksburg,
for that high of mine
I am goin' up that water,
where lands don't never flow
Well, I'm goin' over the hill where,
water, oh don't ever flow
Boy, hit Sharkey County and everything was down in Stovall
But, that whole county was leavin',
over that Tallahatchie shore Boy,
went to Tallahatchie and got it over there
Lord, the water done rushed all over,
down old Jackson road
Lord, the water done raised,
over the Jackson road
Boy, it starched my clothes
I'm goin' back to the hilly country,
won't be worried no more
"High Water Everywhere (part 2)"
Backwater at Blytheville, backed up all around
Backwater at Blytheville, done took Joiner town
It was fifty families and children come to sink and drown
The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The water was risin' up at my friend's door
The man said to his women folk, "Lord, we'd better go"
The water was risin', got up in my bed
Lord, the water was rollin', got up to my bed
I thought I would take a trip, Lord,
out on the big ice sled
Oh, I can hear, Lord, Lord, water upon my door,
you know what I mean, look-a here
I hear the ice, Lord, Lord, was sinkin' down,
I couldn't get no boats there, Marion City gone down
So high the water was risin' our men sinkin' down
Man, the water was risin' at places all around,
boy, they's all around
It was fifty men and children come to sink and drown
Oh, Lordy, women and grown men drown
Oh, women and children sinkin' down Lord, have mercy
I couldn't see nobody's home and wasn't no one to be found
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