Topic: Charley Taylor Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Charley "44" Taylor was an exceptionally accomplished pianist out of Jackson, Mississippi who backed Ishmon Bracey on several songs, including a couple of novelty numbers the pair did.  He was unfortunately really under-recorded as a soloist. His playing shares some of the qualities of Skip James' early piano playing but is much more controlled sounding.  He consistently phrased short after the IV chord.  Whew, what a solo!  Here is his "Heavy Suitcase Blues":



INTRO SOLO

I'm so glad, so glad, that I can sing and play those blues myself
And I'm so glad, so glad, that I can sing and play those blues myself
And for that cause, pretty mama, I don't have to beg nobody else

Now, now, now, baby, and my trunk's already to go
Now, my suitcase is packed, and my trunk's already to go
But my suitcase is too heavy, to tote down that dusty road

Now, my baby, my baby, my baby, Lord, she always keeps me feeling blue
My baby, my baby, my baby, now she always keeps me feeling blue
I think she's just like the weather, can't ever tell what she's going to do

SOLO

Baby, baby, baby, I mean you really know that's wrong
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby, I mean, really you know that's wrong
Just mistreat a poor boy, don't you know he's a great long ways from home?

Oooo-ooo, I don't know, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Oooo-ooo, I don't know, Lord, Lordy, Lord
My suitcase is too heavy, to work down that dusty road

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Charley Taylor's other solo piano number was "Louisiana Bound".  Once again, his playing is expert and exciting, and shows the same phrasing tendencies as he displayed on "Heavy Suitcase Blues".  Here is his performance of "Louisiana Bound":



INTRO SOLO

Ah baby, you know that I love you, that is the reason you treat me so unkind
Lord, you know I love you, that is the reason you treat me so unkind
I'm gon' get me a good girl, just to wear you off my mind

I'm going down in Lou'siana, baby, just behind the sun
Lord, I'm goin' down in Lou'siana, baby, just behind the sun
And when I come back, pretty mama, all my good work will be done

Baby, you treat me so unkind, you always gets me feeling blue
Baby, you treat me so unkind, it always gets me feeling blue
Lord, I sometime wonder, what in the world you tryin' to do

SOLO

Ohhh-ohhh, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
Lord, Lord, baby, Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord
I have been your man, now you want me to be your dog

Baby, I'm leaving in the morning, and I'm leavin' on the southbound train
I'm leaving in the morning, baby, on the southbound train
And when I come back, baby, I don't want you to call my name

All best,
Johnm