Topic: Johnny Temple Lyrics

[Blues Vintage]

Every Dog Must Have His Day

3.1 After uh when I was down, none of these women come around

[Johnm]

Got it, Harry, thanks.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Johnny Temple recorded "Skin And Bones Woman" in 1940, backed by Sammy Price on piano, Buster Bailey on clarinet, Al Casey on guitar and Herb Cowans on drums.  As with most Johnny Temple tracks, once you get past the intro, no solo space is accorded his accompanists, though they take turns playing fills expertly.  At the risk of being redundant, boy, could Johnny Temple sing!  I think, but am not sure, that "alabaster springs" is right, but please let me know if I have that wrong.  Here is "Skin And Bones Woman":



INTRO

I've got a big fat mama and a little bitty mama, too
I've got a big fat mama and a little bitty mama, too
I ain't gonna tell my little mama, what my big fat mama can do

I have a big fat mama, she's made up like a rolling stone
I have a big fat mama, she made up like a rolling stone
Every time she kiss me, she makes my blood run warm

My big fat mama, got air vector springs on her bed
My big fat mama, got air vector springs on her bed
And when I go to sleep, I'm talking all out my head

My little bitty mama, she ain't nothin' but skin and bone
My little bitty mama, she ain't nothin' but skin and bone
She treats me so nice and kind, that's the reason I won't leave her alone

My big fat mama, she is good as she can be
My big fat mama, she is good as she can be
And the reason why I likes her, she can ease my misery

Edited 1/15 to pick up correction from banjochris

All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Johnny Temple recorded "Grinding Mill" in 1938, accompanied by Joshua Altheimer on piano, Odell Rand on clarinet, an unknown bass player, and supposedly Johnny himself on guitar, of which I'm very dubious.  Here is the track:



INTRO

My baby got something, like a grinding mill
My baby, she got something, like a grinding mill
Every time she touch me, gets to wigglin' and I can't be still

And I wonder what's the matter, with my grinding mill
Baby, I wonder what's the matter, with my grinding mill
Every time I get in the bed, gets to wigglin' and I can't be still

She grind my meal in the mornin', she grind my meal late at night
She grind my meal in the mornin', she grind my meal late at night
And she grinds it in a way, suit most any man's appetite

I wonder what is the matter, with my grinding mill
I wonder what is the matter, with my grinding mill
It have gone down on me, my baby says she loves it still

Baby, there is one thing, that I will ask of you
Baby, there is one thing, that I will ask of you
Can you grind my meal this mornin', baby, will you let that do?

All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

John – in "Skin and Bones" that "alabaster springs" sounds something like "air-vector springs" to my ears. I suspect it's a brand name and I tried some searching but didn't come up with anything. Maybe someone else will either have better luck or know what the brand is.
Chris

[Johnm]

Thanks for the suggestion, Chris.  I thought "alabaster springs" sounded simultaneously poetic and impossible!  I will re-listen, though it especially sounds like "alabaster" the first time Temple sings it.  Air-vector springs might be some bygone spurious "secret ingredient" like Shell gas used to have, with "platformate".  If it is a proprietary design feature of some mattress manufacturer it could be tougher to track down than a simple brand name.
All best,
Johnm

[banjochris]

I think you're right that it's more likely to be something like that than its own brand name; it has that "flavor" for lack of a better word!

[Johnm]

I re-listened, Chris, and you are spot on, phonetically, with "air vector"--and he pronounces it exactly the same both times.  I'm going to make the change and assume that it refers to some bygone advertising b.s.!  Thanks!
All best,
Johnm

[catyron]

Probably not the same company, but here is

Airvector
1017 Collier Road NW Suite C
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone: (404) 603-9555

Airvector is a privately held company in Atlanta, GA .

https://www.manta.com/c/mh5b2zz/airvector

[Stuart]

I ran across Vector air springs when I did a search, but it doesn't line up.

[Blues Vintage]

Olds Ninety-Eight


I need help with this one and not just the question marks.


Johnnie Temple – Vocals, Guitar

1947
Bernard and Red Abrams' Maxwell Street record shop, Chicago, Illinois





INTRO SOLO

Move down the highway like a snake with speed, speed and companionship it can't be beat, she's a rare roarin' mama with a line so straight, she ain't my woman, she's my Olds Ninety-Eight
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds Ninety-Eight

Well, she ain't got hips and she ain't got eyes, the poor boy's dream and she really flies, I'm oozin' and I'm cruisin' and I got a date, with my sweet little gal in my Olds Ninety-Eight
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds Ninety-Eight

SOLO

I got my gal and a pocketful of dough, I get behind the wheel and I really blow, I'm oozin' and I'm cruisin' and I got a date, my sweet little gal in my Olds Ninety-Eight
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds Ninety-Eight

OUTRO SOLO

[Johnm]

Hi Blues Vintage,
I'll see what I think I can hear:

[She] move down the highway like a snake with speed, speed and companionship it can't be beat, she's a rare roarin' mama with a line so straight, she ain't my woman, she's my Olds 98
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds 98

Well, she ain't got hips and she ain't got eyes, the poor boy's dream and she really flies, I'm movin' it and I'm cruisin' and I got a date, with my sweet little gal in my Olds 98
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds 98

I got my gal and a pocketful of dough, I get behind the wheel and I really blow, I'm movin' it and I'm cruisin' and I got a date, my sweet little gal in my Olds 98
REFRAIN: She's a-rockin', she's a-rockin'
Well, she ain't my woman, boys, she's my Olds 98

The Oldsmobile 98 was a car model.
 

[Blues Vintage]

Thanks John, that's some excellent hearing.
This was 4 years prior to Ike Turner's "Rocket 88".

[Blues Vintage]

I think it's oozin' instead of movin'

[banjochris]

I'm hearing "oozin'" as well – he's really leaning on that Z sound between that and "cruisin'" – other than that it all looks good to me!
Chris