Topic: Hesitation / Hesitating Blues

[Pan]

And another version from Little Brother Montgomery

Anither good one!

Thanks Old Man Ned

Cheers

Pan

[Pan]

Hi all

Isaac Youngblood did a nice and lively version of Hesitation Blues in 1966, with Herb Quinn on mandolin. He starts with the W.C.Handy lyrics.



Speaking about lyrics, I would appreciate any comments on my attempted transcription on Jelly Roll Morton's version on the previous page of this thread.

Cheers

Pan

[Gumbo]

She said [press/tetch] my bonnet, [press/tetch] my shawl,
Do not not [press/tetch] my waterfall.
Oh, how long do I have to wait?
Yes, if I get you now, won't have to hesitate?

There's a girl sitting on a stump,
I know, know she's on the stump.
Just how long (spoken: it's a [dirty little place]), ah, do I wait? (spoken: couldn't say that)
Can you [get] it now, do I have to hesitate?

In the bonnet and shawl verse I hear tetch (as in touch) and then in the last verse I think he stumbles and says "can you get you now".

[Pan]

Thank you Gumbo, much appreciated!

I made the changes!

Cheers

Pan

[Pan]

Hi all

Moses Asch recorded stride pianist James P. Johnson doing the W.C. Handy's version of the song, sometime in the 40's. The version is interesting, in that it has B -part, that you usually don't hear elsewhere.

The song can be heard on Spotify:

http://open.spotify.com/track/7IRbH1zWiZhjj7PXjVGBQj

Here's a link to the Smithsonian Folkways recording, where you can hear a snippet from the beginning, and download the liner notes (with lyrics to the song):

http://www.folkways.si.edu/the-asch-recordings-1939-to-1947-vol-1-blues-gospel-and-jazz/b/ragtime/music/album/smithsonian

Cheers

Pan

[Pan]

Hi all

Stefan Wirz just posted two versions, not mentioned on this thread, of this tune on fb.

First, an (midi/computer?) interpretation of the piano score of W.C.Handy's "Hesitating Blues".



And more interestingly, Uncle Dave Macon's "Hill Billy Blues", which seems to be an adaptation of the tune.



Cheers

Pan

[Lastfirstface]

Uncle Dave's "I've Got The Mourning Blues" is in the same family as well.

[Pan]

Uncle Dave's "I've Got The Mourning Blues" is in the same family as well.

Thanks, Lastfirstface!



Cheers

Pan

[Pan]

Another one, by the Buck Mountain Band:



Cheers

Pan

[stunasty 55]

I love Lead Belly's version of this song, the introduction riff he plays is awesome, especially taking into consideration the style he plays it on his twelve string. Listening to Lead Belly's thumb and how it just hammers away is probably my favorite thing about him...

CHECK OUT JANIS JOPLINS HESITATION BLUES!

[roscoesmusic]

i like the holy modal rounders doin this tune. they had charlie poole down

[thickpete]

i like the holy modal rounders doin this tune. they had charlie poole down

Heh heh - fave of mine too.... first use of "psychedelic" in pop music lyric I believe.....



"D for doogie that made a fool of me...."

[Lastfirstface]

One more on the hillbilly side of things:

[Johnm]

Hi all,
For any folks who missed this thread, it's as though Pan anticipated the Song of the Moment idea.  Beautiful job, Pan, and so many different versions.
All best,
Johnm

[vonbiber]

I do this one on the ukulele:

If the River Was Whiskey (Hesitation Blues) (trad., Charley Poole version)

If the river was whiskey and I was a duck
I'd dive to the bottom and I'd never come up
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

If the river was whiskey and the branch was wine
You would see me in bathing just any old time
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

I was born in England, raised in France
Ordered a suit of clothes and they wouldn't send the pants
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

I was born in Alabama, was raised in Tennessee
If you don't like my peaches, don't shake on my tree
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

I looked down the road just as far as I could see
A man had my woman and the blues had me
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

I ain't no doctor but the doctor's son
I can do the doct'rin' till the doctor comes
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate

Got the hesitation stockings, the hesitation shoes
Believe my Lord I've got the hesitation blues
Tell me how long---have I got to wait
Oh, can I get you now---must I hesitate