Topic: Pine Top's Boogie Woogie

[dj]

Clarence "Pine Top" Smith recorded "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" for Vocalion in Chicago on December 29, 1928.  The world almost didn't get to hear Smith, as he was killed by a stray bullet while playing at a dance less than three months later, on March 15th, 1929.

The record is notable for being the first appearance of the term "boogie woogie" on record, and for being one of the first appearances of what would become known as a boogie woogie bass.  Lots of pianists (and a few guitar players) have recorded versions of "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" through the years, but very few have copied Pine Top's words.  Here they are.  If anyone has any additions or corrections, I'd be happy to receive them.

I've transcribed the words from both takes.  They're pretty much the same, but there are two points of interest.  1) In take A, Pine Top calls the song "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", but in take B he calls it "Pine Top Trouble", an interesting name given that the lyrics are a set of dance instructions and the word "trouble" is never used.  (Though Pine Top recorded a "Pine Top Trouble" earlier in December which was never issued).  2)  In take A, Pine Top shouts "Hold it" or "Hold yourself" over a trill , then shouts "Stop" and plays a descending melodic line.  the two together are quite distinctive.  But on take B, Though Pine Top says "when I say 'Stop'...", but never actually says stop, though the "Hold it", trill, and descending melodic line are still there.  This would seem to be such a distinctive part of the piece that the difference, and the fact that the difference is consistent throughout the piece, is surprising.


  "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" (Take A)
 
  (Instrumental)

  I want all of you all to know this is Pine Top's Boogie Woogie
  I want everybody to dance 'em just like I tell you
  And when I say "Hold yourself" I want all of you to get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move
  And when I say "Get it", I want all of you all to do a boogie woogie
  Hold it now
  Stop
  Boogie woogie
  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Now when I say "Hold yourself" this time, I want all of you to get ready to stop
  When I've said "Stop", don't move a peg
  When I say "Get it", everybody mess around
  Hold yourself now
  Stop
  Mess around

  (Instrumental)

  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  Say little girl, you, standin' there with the red dress on 
  Back right up here at this piano where Mr. Pine Top is
  That's right, face the audience
  Now when I tell you to hold yourself, you get ready to stop, you hear?
  And when I've said "Stop", don't you move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", I want you to shake that thing
  Hold yourself now
  Stop
  Shake that thing
  That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  Now I'm gon' pick this piano

  (Instrumental)
 


  "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie" (Take B)
 
  (Instrumental)

  Now listen here all of you, this is my Pine Top Trouble
  I want everybody to dance 'em just like I tell you
  And when I say "Hold yourself" everybody get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", everybody do a boogie woogie
  Hold yourself now
  Boogie woogie
  Now That's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Now when I say "Hold yourself" this time, y'all get ready to stop
  And when I've said "Stop", don't move
  When I says "Get it", everybody mess around
  Hold yourself
  Mess around
  Now that's what I'm talkin' 'bout

  (Instrumental)

  Say little girl, you, standin' there with the red dress on 
  You come right up here where Mr. Pine Top is
  Now face the audience
  Now when I tell you to hold yourself, you get ready to stop
  And don't move a peg
  And when I say "Get it", I want you to shake that thing
  Hold yourself now
  Shake that thing
  That's what I'm talkin' about             

[Johnm]

Thanks very much for posting your transcriptions, dj.  I've only heard Take 1 of "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", and it is sensational.  Good work on getting "don't move a peg".  I never was able to figure that passage out before.  People interested in more lyrics from Pine Top Smith can find his "I'm Sober Now" elsewhere in the Country Blues Lyrics board, at:
   http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=60&topic=2208.0 .
All best,
Johnm

[dj]

Hi, John,

It's funny how different people have trouble with different phrases in a song.  For me, "don't move a peg" has always been crystal clear.  It's "face the audience" that took me hours of listening to hear.  That's the great thing about having a group of people to help with transcriptions.
 

[Prof Scratchy]

Pinetop's Boogie Woogie is one of those seminal tracks that shows up in the most unusual places. Covered by endless piano players, it also shows up in versions by Clifton Chenier, by various swing outfits in the 1940's, and there's even a version by Willie Nelson. I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?

[Bunker Hill]

I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?

I've a version of him doing it on the third vol. of I Blueskvarter Chicago 1964 but feel sure I have another rendition on something I've owned far longer than that CD.


Later edit: Silly me it's on the 1971 Snooks Legacy of the Blues LP...little grey cells ain't what they were.

[dj]

Almost nine years after Pine Top Smith recorded "Pine Top's Boogie Woogie", Pinetop Burks recorded his version, retitled "Shake The Shack", on October 25, 1937 in San Antonio.  Julian Yarrow's notes to DOCD-5232, "San Antonio Blues 1937", mention no biographical details concerning Burks, and I assume none are known.  Burks plays piano and is accompanied on this track by unknown guitar and washboard players, referred to on the record as "Slim" and "Son".  It's a rocking version of the tune, with the washboard and guitar (strummed with a flatpick) really pushing the rhythm.  Lyrically, Burks starts out sticking fairly close to Pine Top Smith, but he soon diverges from that model and makes the song his own.  All words are spoken or sung by Pinetop Burks unless otherwise noted.  The last line is sung in harmony.  I'm not sure of the bracketed phrases, and would welcome any suggestions or corrections.

"Shake The Shack"

Slim, what you and Son gon' do?
Slim:  We're just standin' here lookin' at you
Let's shake the shack
Son:   [Why there be a law t'do that]

I want all you all to do just like I say
When I say "Stop", I mean stop
'n' when I say "Get it", I mean shake the shack
Hold yourself, now stop
Shake the shack
That's what I'm talkin' about

(Instrumental)

Son:  Why you standin there, boy?  [He gon' hear th'song]

(Instrumental)

Son:  Go up there like I like it now

Stick your right foot out
Take your right foot in
Shake yourself and then you begin
Shake the shack

(Instrumental)

Stick your left foot out
Take your left foot in
The way you shake it this time it's a low down sin
Shake the shack

(Instrumental)

The Law's on the corner lookin' 'round
We'd better shake the shack until it fall down
Let's shake the shack

Son:  [Why that'll be a Law nohow]

You all better get your hats and coats
'cause we ain't goin' hit another note
Son or Slim: That I know
Shake the shack
Son or Slim: Shake the shack
Shake the shack
Son or Slim: Shake the shack

All:  'cause we ain't gon' be here partner when the Law's come back   

[uncle bud]

Pinetop's Boogie Woogie is one of those seminal tracks that shows up in the most unusual places. Covered by endless piano players, it also shows up in versions by Clifton Chenier, by various swing outfits in the 1940's, and there's even a version by Willie Nelson. I seem to remember a guitar only version by Snooks Eaglin too?

And of course a guitar-only version by Willie McTell for his Atlantic sessions, on the Atlanta Twelve-String record.

[Prof Scratchy]

Indeed, Andrew - how could I forget that one!