Topic: Memphis Minnie Lyrics

[GhostRider]

Hi all:



The PTCBW has envigorated my interest in the above referenced song, all thanks going to Del Ray's instruction. In re-listening to the tune I get a slightly different chord structure from Del (she stated that her's was a version, not a copy). I'd like to run my ideas past you weenies and see if they float (be gentle).

My reading of the MM version: (Capo II)

A - 4 bars
D - 2 bars
A - 1/2 bar
E - 1/2 bar
A - 1 bar
E - 1 bar
D - 1bar
A - 1/2 bar
D - 1/2 bar
A - 1/4 bar
E - 3/4 bar

As I recall Del did not put in the first E part.

Also the signature lick of the song, played over the A section in the first three bars of each verse I hear as:

1string-3, 2string-5, 2string-3, followed by a double base (E-A)(Probably played by Little Son Joe).

Thanks in advance for your insight,
Alex


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[frankie]

Looks about right to me, Alex.  I've been listening to this, trying decide what's going on with the second guitar - sounds like it might be tuned to drop-D but playing in A...  still thinking, though.  If you listen to the break, you can hear the second guitar go to a really low note in the bass as they change to the IV chord.  Weird...

[GhostRider]

Hi Ramblin' Frank:

Thanks for your comments. I was just working on MM's part last night, I'll go back and listen to LSJ.

I have found that playing A tunes in dropped D is neat, that growling bass over the IV chord is sure a different sound.

After studying this tune for a while I've thought about replacing the last D section with E.

The police start to shoot me,
Alex

[GhostRider]

Hi all:

I've just finished transcribing the verse and break of Nothing in Rambling and thought I'd upload the files here and see what you all think. The two files are in Tabledit format (.tef) and need (I' think) Tabledit to open. You can download a free demonstration version of Tabledit from their website.

This song is a duet, which I have transcribed for solo guitar. Some of the base riff stuff  I have put in as treble melody.

The break starts off with a figure from Del Ray's class, but the rest of it is pretty close (I think) to the original.

Please, any comments-corrections would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Alex

[Slack]

Tabledit Download Page

Thanks for posting this Alex!

[GhostRider]

Hi:

While going back and giving Dryland Blues another try I listened to the next cut (on the Memphis Jamboree Yazoo release) and it is "That'll Be Alright". Not only is it a great tune, but it's from 1929!

I have hacked out the guitar part (it's not that hard) but some of the lyrics have me stumped. I hope the Weenies can help.



THAT'LL BE ALRIGHT
Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie
Key of C
Capo I

Intro

1) Instrumental

2) Well look here mama, see what you done done
Took all my money, put me on a bum

Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to ya, mama that'll be alright

3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
jelly to who you see

Chorus

4) Gonna buy me a dog, I don't know (?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll

Chorus

5) Instrumental

6) Instrumental

7)
Caught on a corner with another man

Chorus

Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
jelly al over town

Chorus

9) I had a good
she goin' somebody else

Chorus

10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see for (poor?) me

Chorus

11) Me and my brother went around the bend
my gal, couldn't drive her in

Chorus

Thanks,

Alex

[Richard]

Well here's something to start with...

3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Showing\selling jelly to who you see

7) Tell you that you love me, see me when you can
Caught on a corner with another man

  Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Selling jelly all over town

9)  I had a good gal all to myself
Now she goin' with somebody else

11) Me and my brother went around the bend
There's my gal, couldn't drive her in


Is that any help, trouble is the more you listen to it the more it changes!

[Slack]

3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
?? jelly to who you see

No help here, but I don't think Richard's line works aurally... sound like "spied some" jelly...

4) Gonna buy me a dog, I don't know (?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll

agree.

7)
Caught on a corner with another man

I'm glad she said she love me, don't see why she can
Caught on a corner with another man


Chorus

 Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
 jelly all over town

Sounds like "tell no".. jelly all over town.. ??

9) I had a good
 she goin'  somebody else

I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
Now she's goin' down(?) with somebody else


10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see for (poor?) me

So these women come see poor me

11) Me and my brother went around the bend
 my gal, couldn't drive her in

Had my gal and couldn't drive her in

My 2 cents

[uncle bud]

I hear
3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
Slide??? some jelly to who you please
Chorus

4) Gonna buy me a dog, (high as an oak?)
Keep these men from the jellyroll

Chorus

5) Instrumental

6) Instrumental

7) My baby said she love me, don't see why she can
Caught her on a corner with another man

Chorus

Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Sellin' my jelly all over town

Chorus

9)I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
Now she gone and got somebody else


Chorus

10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see poor me


Chorus

11) Me and my brother went around the bend
Had? my gal and couldn't drive her in

Chorus

Great Kansas Joe tune, Alex. Are you taking a page from Del Rey's book and combining the two guitar parts? (As Frankie did as well with Joliet Bound.)

Note how he works brother Charlie into the last verse... 

[GhostRider]

UB:

Yeah I thought I'd try to combine the two parts, which involves putting in little bass runs between the treble melody parts. One interesting feature is that on the change to the IV chord (F) Joe does a run to the F note on the 4th string, 3rd fret, rather than down to the F on the 6th string.

But I don't expect to do anywhere near the good job that Ramblin' Frank did on JB.

It's amazing how much energy PT put into my guitar. I've learned (or partially) 4 new songs since I got back. Now that #@*&# Dryland Blues is another story!

Alex

[uncle bud]

It's amazing how much energy PT put into my guitar. I've learned (or partially) 4 new songs since I got back.

So I take it you'll be returning to PT...

Now that #@*&# Dryland Blues is another story!

Well, now you have a reason to buy John Miller's Furry Lewis video. He covers it there. It's a cool take on that standard progression.   

[GhostRider]

Hi all:

My thanks to Richard, Slack and Uncle Bud for their efforts on this one. I used some of each of your suggestions. Here's the revised version (revisions in italics).

THAT'LL BE ALRIGHT
Kansas Joe and Memphis Minnie
1929

Key of C
Capo I

Intro

1) Instrumental

2) Well look here mama, see what you done done
Took all my money, put me on a bum

Chorus
But that'll be alright, oh no, but that'll be alright, oh no
Don't you hear me talkin' to ya, mama that'll be alright

3) Now you wore your dresses above your knee
 Slide some jelly to who you see

Chorus

4) Gonna buy me a dog, I d' know
Keep these men from a jellyroll

Chorus

5) Instrumental

6) Instrumental

7) I'm glad she said she loved me, don't see why she can
Caught her on a corner with another man

Chorus

(?Now you talkin' 'bout jelly, you oughta see mine
Sellin' her jelly all over town

Chorus

9) I had a good change not sleepin' by myself
 Now she gone?and got somebody else

Chorus

10) Gonna build me a house out on the sea (?)
So these women come to see poor me

Chorus

11) Me and my brother went around the bend
 Had my gal, couldn't drive her in

Chorus

Any additional comments? I'm still not sure about the beginning of the 2nd line of Verse 8

Thanks,
Alex

[Rivers]

Please, any comments-corrections would be much appreciated.

Thanks Alex for posting that tab, you've inspired me to take a third look at this tune which has always been high on my list of favorite recordings. My comment would be your tab seems to capture the funky feel of the original. I was having trouble getting some of those double/triple stop slurs and voicing that into my version. Here are the lyrics, that has to be one of the best opening lines in blues:

[edit: for a much tighter transcription see the entry in weeniepedia http://www.weeniecampbell.com/wiki/index.php?title=Nothing_In_Rambling]

I was born in Louisiana, I was raised in Algiers
And everywhere I been, the peoples all say
Ain't nothing in rambling either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down

I first left home, I stopped in Tennessee
The peoples all begging, "Come and stay with me"
'Cause ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down

I was walking through the alley with my hand in my coat
The police start to shoot me, thought it was something I stole
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down

The peoples on the highway is walking and crying
Some is starving, some is dying
You know it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down

You may go to Hollywood and try to get on the screen
But I'm gonna stay right here and eat these old charity beans
'Cause it ain't nothing in rambling, either running around
Well, I believe I'll marry, oooo, wooo, Lord, and settle down

[GhostRider]

Hi Rivers:

My pleasure. The lesson from Del Ray at PT really helped. Glad the TAB was of some use. And thanks for the lyrics!

Just a note, the intro in pretty close to the last 4 1/2 bars of the break.

Later,
Alex

[GhostRider]

Hi All:

Just for completeness sake I've attached my go at the TAB for a verse and the break of "That'll be Alright". The two files are in Tabledit format (.tef) and require Tabledit to open. You can download a demo version at :

http://www.tabledit.com/download/downlo_e.shtml

This is a version of the original, I've tried to combine the two guitar parts into one.

Again any comments or corrections would be gratefully recieved.

Alex