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Author Topic: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog  (Read 3485 times)

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Offline Old Man Ned

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SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« on: June 24, 2016, 09:22:40 AM »
I've got a soft spot for old ragtime songs, particularly played on the guitar.  For this months SOTM I've chosen Salty Dog.  Though I can't determine who originally wrote this I understand it to be an old ragtime song that has got picked up by Jazz bands, songsters, blues singers, country and bluegrass musicians.  Enjoy....

First up is the early recording I could find, from 1926 by Papa Charlie Jackson



An example of a couple of Jazz band performances from 1926 by Freddie Keppard



and Sidney Bechet



From the 1930's comes recordings from Sam Collins (1931)



Clara Smith with Fletcher Henderson on piano in 1936



Kokomo Arnold recorded a version in 1937



and Bo Carter in '38



INTRO SOLO

Everybody talkin' 'bout a salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a cute little old salty dog
Everybody wants a little salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a cute little old salty dog

I want you to be my salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my little salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a cute little old redhead salty dog
Everybody wants a little salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a sweet little old salty dog

SOLO

Everybody wants a salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a cute little old salty dog
Everybody wants a little salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a redhead salty dog

I wants me a cute little old salty dog, how 'bout you bein' my salty dog?
I'm talkin' 'bout a sweet little old salty dog
How 'bout you be my salty dog, everybody talkin' about a salty dog
I wants me a sweet little old salty dog

More recent recordings were made by Leadbelly



Blind Willie McTell



and Mississippi John Hurt



though I expect these guys had been playing this tune from way back

and finally, good to see the tune being kept alive by the Carolina Chocolate Drops



All the best,
Old Man Ned
« Last Edit: June 29, 2016, 10:29:11 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #1 on: June 24, 2016, 09:42:42 AM »
Thanks very much for your Song of the Month choice and the versions you posted, Old Man Ned.  It is a great tune, for sure!  Here are a couple of more versions:

from the Allen Brothers



SOLO

Come here, mama, what's on your mind?
Daddy wants to love you but you won't give him time
You ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog,
Ha ha ha ha, ha ha, hey, hey, hey

I got a gal, she's six feet tall
Sleeps in the kitchen with her feet in the hall
She ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog
Ha ha ha ha

SOLO

I got a gal, she's raised in the sticks
She does her lovin' in a Packard twin six
She ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog
Ha ha ha ha

I got a gal, she rides a riverboat
She'd make a good mule just leave his oats
she ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog
Ha ha ha ha, hey hey hey, blow it, brother, blow it!

SOLO

I got a gal, she looks so bum
But she's got more ways to lovin' than Wrigley's got gum
She ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog
Ha ha ha ha ha ha, hey hey hey

Two little nigras layin' in the bed
One rolled over and the other said,
"You ain't nothin' but a salty dog, oh salty dog."
Ha ha ha ha

SOLO

from the McGee Brothers, obviously from Papa Charlie, but wild harmony!



SOLO

Won't you let me be your salty dog, I don't want to be your man at all
Salty dog, salty dog, my honey babe, just let me be your salty dog, salty dog
Salty dog, let me be your salty dog

SOLO

Little pinch of powder and a little pinch of paint, makes your complexion look what it ain't
You salty dog, you salty dog, my honey babe, just let me be your salty dog, salty dog
Salty dog, let me be your salty dog

SOLO

Like lookin' for a needle in a pile of sand, to find a woman ain't got no man
Salty dog, salty dog
Ain't but a-one thing bothers my mind, all these women and none is mind
Salty dog, salty dog, my honey babe, just let me be your salty dog, salty dog
Salty dog, let me be your salty dog

SOLO

Three barrels of whiskey and a four barrels of gin, the headman ain't home and you can't get in
You salty dog, you salty dog, my honey babe, just let me be your salty dog, salty dog
Salty dog, let me be your salty dog

SOLO

Little fish, big fish swimmin' in the water, Come on back here, boy, and give me my quarter
You salty dog, you salty dog, my honey babe, just let me be your salty dog, salty dog
Salty dog, let me be your salty dog

 from Flatt & Scruggs.  Who is singing lead?  It sure isn't Lester!



All best,
Johnm

« Last Edit: June 28, 2016, 06:24:00 PM by Johnm »

Offline Lignite

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #2 on: June 24, 2016, 12:47:21 PM »
Fiddler Benny Sims sang lead on the Flatt and Scruggs recording of Salty Dog.  The Morris Brothers (Wiley and Zeke) from Old Fort, NC seem to have been the ones who introduced this song to the bluegrass crowd. They recorded it for the Bluebird label in 1938 as Let Me Be Your Salty Dog and re-recorded it for RCA Victor in 1945 as the Salty Dog Blues.
http://picosong.com/x9LY
« Last Edit: June 24, 2016, 02:13:43 PM by Lignite »

Offline Lastfirstface

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #3 on: June 24, 2016, 01:00:06 PM »
Nice string band instrumental (plus kazoo!) by the Booker Orchestra:




Offline Prof Scratchy

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #4 on: June 25, 2016, 04:31:10 AM »
Thanks Old Man Ned - so many versions there  that were new to me, including ones by very 'mainstream' CB artists.

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #5 on: June 29, 2016, 12:37:19 PM »
Hi all,
Here is my own version of "Salty Dog".
All best,
Johnm

Offline Old Man Ned

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #6 on: June 29, 2016, 03:26:55 PM »
Great version John and thanks for the additions of other versions.  I steered clear of anything 'country' as it's an area I have virtually no knowledge of.

And thanks to Lastfirstface for the string band version, that was a find.  My two favourites though, are Bo Carter's and Kokomo Arnold's.  Like Prof Scratchy, there were versions that I wasn't aware of till a dug around a bit.  The Kokomo Arnold one was a real treat.

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #7 on: June 29, 2016, 03:37:13 PM »
Thanks for the good words, Ned.  I was unfamiliar with Bo's version.  Musically, (apart from the lyrics) it is very very close to his song "My Baby".  I'm not up on recording dates enough to know which tune was recorded first, but I'm sure someone around here will know.
All best,
John

Offline Lignite

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #8 on: June 29, 2016, 04:43:21 PM »
I really enjoyed your rendition there John. So, Be Your Salty Dog was recorded by Bo in 1938 and My Baby two years later in 1940.

Offline Stuart

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #9 on: June 29, 2016, 05:09:52 PM »


http://www.wirz.de/music/willfrm.htm

SOLO

I'm standin' on the corner, my hat in my hand
Waiting for a woman that's got no man
Salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Salty dog, mama, little salty dog

Well, standin' on the corner with my hat in my hand
I'm waitin' for the woman that got no man
Oh, you salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog

I woke up one morning in the bed
I looked at my woman and thought she was dead
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Baby, let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog

SOLO

A change in the weather, change in the sea
Tell my baby no change in me
You old salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, you salty dog, mama, little salty dog

SOLO

Oh, let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, you salty dog, mama, little salty dog

Now, come here, baby, and give me your hand
I don't want you lookin' for another man
Oh, you salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Oh baby, let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
You salty dog, mama, little salty dog

SOLO

I'm gonna walk right in my shoes
While I've got those worried blues
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, salty dog, oh mama, little salty dog

SOLO

I ain't got no socks, folks, no,
I'm goin', don't show me
Salty dog, mama, little salty dog

I walked right down, out of my shoes
Now I've got those worried blues
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog

SOLO

I'm goin' away, for a time to stay
I'm gon' come not back this way
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog
Don't let me be your salty dog, won't be your man at all
Oh, salty dog, mama, little salty dog



Well, God made women, made them mighty funny
Kisses on the lips just sweet as any honey
You salty dog, yeah, you salty dog
Well you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog

Well, just as sure as the water runs in the sea
Some of these women gonna go crazy 'bout me
'Cause you're salty dog, yeah, you salty dog
Well, you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog

Well, there's not but one thing, worries my mind
All these pretty womens, ain't nary one mine
You salty dog, yeah, salty dog
Well, you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog (Spoken: Yes, yes)

Well I'm goin' up Grace, comin' down on Main
Lookin' for that little girl that can't call his name
You salty dog, yes, salty dog
Well, you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog (Spoken: Let me see)

SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, yeah, salty dog)
Well you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog

Well, let me tell you somethin' I don't mean no harm
That girl's got somethin', it's much of a charm
Let me salt your dog, yeah, you salty dog
Well, you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog

Well, sometime I wonder, why it's gonna be right
Sometime I lay down, I can't sleep at night
'Cause you're salty dog, yes, salty dog
Well, you heard it, baby, let me be your salty dog

Well, there ain't one thing that worries my mind
All these gals, I say there's nar' one mine
You salty dog, yes, salty dog
Honey babe, let me be your salty dog
 
« Last Edit: July 07, 2016, 03:16:29 PM by Stuart »

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2016, 08:07:03 PM »
Thanks, Lightnin', and thanks for the recording dates on the the Bo Carter tunes.
All best,
Johnm

Offline Stuart

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #11 on: June 29, 2016, 09:26:39 PM »
Well played and sung, John. It's nice to hear a 2016 version!

There's one from 1963 on the Andy Griffith Show with the Dillards on YT.

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2016, 04:46:55 PM »
Thanks for the good words, Stuart.
All best,
Johnm

Offline Prof Scratchy

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #13 on: July 02, 2016, 01:52:16 AM »
Just downloaded this, and I'm with Stuart. Great version!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #14 on: July 02, 2016, 05:13:59 PM »
Thanks, Prof!
All best,
Johnm

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #15 on: July 04, 2016, 10:02:33 AM »
Hi all,
Here is a version by "Red" Willie Smith I found on youtube.  I have never heard or heard of him before.



INTRO SOLO

Goin' downtown, sloppy drunk
You don't like it you can move your trunk
Mama don't let it, Papa don't 'low that --

Salty dog, salty dog
You doggone salty dog

I don't give a devil, what your mammy don't 'low
Gon' have a little fuss, anyhow
Ain't gon' have it, Papa don't 'low that --

SOLO

Don't wanna look, Mama, look at sis
Standin' 'round, y'all, doin' the twist
Mama ain't gon' have, Papa don't 'low --

Mama, give me some bread
So I've done dumped it and it went to my head
Mama ain't gon' have it, Papa don't 'low that --

Hey-hey, hey-hey
Hey-hey, hey-hey

All best,
Johnm
« Last Edit: July 09, 2018, 08:04:25 AM by Johnm »

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #16 on: July 07, 2016, 11:25:27 AM »
Hi all,
I don't know how many of you have had a chance to listen to the version of "Salty Dog" by Bill Williams that Stuart posted at http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=11140.msg98302#msg98302 , but it is epic, and Bill Williams works up a tremendous head of steam on it, just going like a bat out of hell.  The Ralph Willis version that follows it is interesting, too; he plays it as a 12-bar blues rather than a circle-of-fifths progression.
All best,
Johnm

Offline Old Man Ned

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #17 on: July 07, 2016, 03:12:41 PM »
Yeah, the Bill Williams version is terrific.  I'm having trouble finding any recordings, apart from on You Tube of Bill Williams as everything I've heard of his I've liked.  Is there anything available?

Sadly the Ralph Willis and the 'Red' Willie Smith versions aren't showing in this neck of the woods.

Offline Stuart

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #18 on: July 07, 2016, 03:25:48 PM »
I just added the link to Stefan's Bill Williams page below the YT video.

I don't think that the two Blue Goose LPs were ever released as CDs. I bought the LPs soon after they were released. They were a revelation and I looked forward to seeing him play live at some point, but when the second LP came out and I read of his passing, sadly it wasn't meant to be.

John posted his playing positions and keys:

http://weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Playing_Positions/Keys_for_Bill_Williams%27_Blue_Goose_Albums
 

Offline waxwing

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #19 on: July 07, 2016, 07:39:22 PM »
That really is absolutely great playing, and to my ears, immediately recognizable as a non-opposing right hand style. Some might call it down-up strumming, until you hear the bass line that he is often thumbing at the same time. He uses the technique very much like Patton on "Shake It and Break It" or "Some of These Days", but the way he uses his left hand in conjunction takes it a step further. Wow!

Wax
"People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it."
George Bernard Shaw

“Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.”
Joseph Heller, Catch-22

http://www.youtube.com/user/WaxwingJohn
CD on YT

Offline frailer24

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #20 on: August 25, 2016, 01:16:48 AM »
Coming from a bluegrass background, have to say that Benny Sims had a wonderfully smooth voice. Makes me wish he'd sang more lead!
That's all she wrote Mabel!

Offline Johnm

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Re: SOTM 24 June 2016 Salty Dog
« Reply #21 on: October 12, 2021, 11:25:39 AM »
Hi all,
I just found this unusual version of "Salty Dog" by the Virginia musician, John Tinsley.



All best,
Johnm

 


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