Topic: Versions of "Stackerlee"

[Johnm]

Hi all,
That's a really good point about the Down Home Boys version having the same melody and progression as "Railroad Bill", Bob.  It is spot on, and I don't think that would ever have occurred to me.  It's such a surprise hearing those guys going to that III7 chord, F#7, playing in D, where it sits so much more awkwardly than the corresponding E7 chord sits in "Railroad Bill", played in C.
I should have said that I moved the various posts in this thread over here without editing them (apart from adding the video performances to several of them) and some of the text in the posts makes references to questions with regards to lyrics, etc. that no longer apply.  Thanks for the personnel on the Champion Jack Durpree cut, Al, dj filled me in on the band in the earlier thread, too.  That must be a great album to hear from beginning to end because every track I've heard from it so far is really fine.
All best,
johnm

[Mr.OMuck]

As regards the Blind Pete version, If that ain't Willie McTell I'll eat my hat!

[uncle bud]

You want mustard or mayo?

 

[Mr.OMuck]

Frank things I'm wrong too. I'll have to listen some more, but he DID record under a host of pseudonyms and there is something about the character of the voice and the enunciation that is similar

[harriet]

Sounds like Mctell to me as well, I believe Blind Pete was a fiddler and the vocals in other recording examples don't sound like this, maybe McTell was the partner referred to?

Here's a list of 428 versions ( ! ) of Stagolee:  http://www.staggerlee.com/pgs/the-list.php?view=3

[Laura]

I don't think that's Willie.. nowhere near cheeky enough!

[Norfolk Slim]

I agree Laura.  I can hear what people are thinking about, but there's something in the character of the voice and enunciation which just isn't Willie for me.

[Mr.OMuck]

Well if he had reason to disguise the fact that he was 'slippin' out" on his record contract he might want to alter his presentation slightly.

[Laura]

Are we listening to the same recording? There's no way that is him!!!

[alyoung]

Well if he had reason to disguise the fact that he was 'slippin' out" on his record contract he might want to alter his presentation slightly.

Well, it does seem that in 1934 -- when the Blind Pete recording was made -- McTell was between recording contracts (post-Vocalion, pre-Decca). But I still can't see him popping off to make a field recording for the Library of Congress in Little Rock, Ark. So ... bon appetit.
BTW, this track was issued on Document 5320, Mississippi Blues and Gospel (Field Recordings), not the 5577 used to illustrate the clip. 5320 has fairly much all the Blind Pete and Partner recordings; Pete is the fiddle player and singer, George Ryan is the guitarist.  Pete's fiddle playing also sounds quite unlike Willie McTell's.

[Mr.OMuck]

Don't bore me with facts when I'm trying to promote an untenable theory! 

[Mr.OMuck]

Somehow i passed over that Hogman Maxey version earlier in the thread. Man! What a driver! That Harry Oster had some nose for diggin up these kinds of players...amazing!

[Johnm]

Hi all,
I was surprised to find this solo version of "Stackerlee" performed by Laura Dukes of the Memphis Jug Band up on YouTube.  I don't know how much other solo material by her is out there.  What a bright, clear voice!



I was standing by my window when I heard my bulldog bark
He was barking at two men who was gamblin' in the dark

It was Stack O'Lee and billy, two men who gamble late
Stack O'Lee threw seven and Billy swore that he threw eight

Stack O'Lee told Billy, "I don't let you go with that.
You have won all my money and my brand new Stetson hat."

Stack O'Lee went home and he got his .44
Says, "I'm goin' to the barroom just to pay that debt I owe."

SOLO

Stack O'Lee went to the barroom, stood across the barroom floor
He said, "Don't nobody move.", and he pulled his .44

"Stack O'Lee", cried Billy, "Oh, please don't take my life!
I've got three little chirren and a very sickly wife."

Stack O'Lee shot Billy, oh he shot that poor boy so bad
'Cause the bullet went through Billy and it broke the bartender's glass

Poor Stack O'Lee, poor Stack O'Lee, poor Stack O'Lee, poor Stack O'Lee
Poor Stack O'Lee, poor Stack O'Lee

All best,
Johnm

[oddenda]

And she played the ukulele!!!

pbl

[Pan]

Hi all

I just came by this very cool version of "Bad Man Stack O' Lee". Unfortunately I know absolutely nothing about the performers.



Cheers

Pan