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Country Blues => Weenie Campbell Main Forum => Topic started by: Mr.OMuck on March 31, 2008, 05:51:45 PM

Title: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Mr.OMuck on March 31, 2008, 05:51:45 PM
This War is Awful- Arthur Crudup
Overseas Blues- Memphis Willie B.
Red Cross Store- Leadbelly
This War will Last you for Years -Son House
(not exactly anti war.."won't be enough Japs to shoot a little game of craps", is about the most racist line in Blues)
Any others?...
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: NevadaPic on March 31, 2008, 06:06:15 PM
Nothing springs to mind at the moment.  I'll have to do some digging.  All I know is we need some more NOW whether we have to write our own or not!

Pic
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Rivers on March 31, 2008, 06:23:31 PM
Geeshie Wiley's Last Kind Words I've always thought of as an anti-war song of the subtle variety.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Mr.OMuck on March 31, 2008, 07:28:49 PM
Quote
All I know is we need some more NOW

Amen!
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Cooljack on April 01, 2008, 02:03:39 AM
the two ones that imidiatly come to mind, if they can be considered anti-war are Blind lemon's "War Time Blues" and Blind Willie Johnsons "When the War was One".

Also i've always thought that a number of Darby and Tarltons recordings had a somewhat anti-war tone to them, such as "Rainbow Division" which it hink is a rework of "Dixie Division" and with the melody of "Red River Valley", except in relation to the first world war rather than the civil war.

I also heard quite an interesting two part Lomax recording from 1939 which sounded quite anti-war, though doubtlessly about the Civil war.



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Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Bunker Hill on April 01, 2008, 09:58:06 AM
the two ones that imidiatly come to mind, if they can be considered anti-war are Blind lemon's "War Time Blues" and Blind Willie Johnsons "When the War was One".
I suppose I could trawl through Guido van Rijn's 1997 book Roosevelt Blues and plunder the appropriate chapters for examples but that would take the fun out of it for you guys.... :)
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Mr.OMuck on April 01, 2008, 10:21:24 AM
the two ones that imidiatly come to mind, if they can be considered anti-war are Blind lemon's "War Time Blues" and Blind Willie Johnsons "When the War was One".
I suppose I could trawl through Guido van Rijn's 1997 book Roosevelt Blues and plunder the appropriate chapters for examples but that would take the fun out of it for you guys.... :)

Don't stop on my account......
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on April 01, 2008, 10:49:42 AM
Hi all,
I don't know if it is anti-war as much as it is anti-military, but I have Snooks Eaglin singing "Questionaire Blues", which came from Amos Milburn originally, I think.  Mance Lipscomb's "Rocks and Gravel" likewise has some verses that are anti-military.  Junior Wells had "Vietnam Blues", and I believe J. B. Lenoir had a song or songs pertaining to the Vietnam War, though I can't remember the titles.  Does anybody know or remember the Lenoir titles?
all best,
Johnm
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Slack on April 01, 2008, 11:30:15 AM
J. B. Lenoir's was named "Vietnam", he also had "Korea Blues" - which may be a lot like "Questionnaire Blues" - here is a link to lyrics for both:

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/Delta/2541/bljlenoi.htm
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: dj on April 01, 2008, 11:48:10 AM
Kid Coley, "War Dream Blues".  Recorded in 1931, but it sounds as if it must have dated from 1917/1918.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: waxwing on April 01, 2008, 12:02:22 PM
Didn't Suzy Thompson mention that 'Bama Long Blues by the Baxters was about not wanting to be in the Alabama Long Rifle Regiment? I guess that would be referring to the Civil War, or maybe the Spanish American War.

All for now.
John C.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: samjessin on April 01, 2008, 12:48:45 PM
Blues, maybe, anti-war, probably.

Vernon Dalhart - Ain't Gonna Grieve My Mind No More

"The reason I don't fly to france, I don't look good in flying pants."
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: jharris on April 01, 2008, 12:50:35 PM
At least in the pre-war era there doesn't appear to be that many songs that can be called anti-war. One that comes to mind is Josh White's "Uncle Sam Says" which is really more about racism. Lonnie Johnson's
"From 20 to 44" is not exactly anti-war but has a resigned, world weary sentiment - "There's no peace on earth/And there's hell everywhere you go."

-Jeff
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Stefan Wirz on April 02, 2008, 12:46:04 AM
there's a whole 1996 CD album by the title of "Uncle Sam Blues" (don't know if they're all 'anti'-war ;-) on the Blues Encore label (Blues Encore CD 52043). More info on my J.B. Lenoir discography  (http://www.wirz.de/music/lenoir.htm) - it's # 67
Stefan
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: CF on April 02, 2008, 06:22:14 AM
Not so much anti-war as anti-army Leadbelly's 'Army Life' has the refrain

'I don't want no more army life
Keep it I want to go home . . . '

& Testament recorded a couple guys who wrote songs that at least seem to speak of their call to service with fear & regret. Arthur Weston (with Big Joe Williams on guitar) recorded 'Uncle Sam Called Me (I Got To Go) with an almost chilling last verse

'Lordy how you runnin' & dodging trying to find some place to hide (x2)
But whenever you get in touch with those Japanese I swear them United States men sure got to die'

& Avery Brady's 'Uncle Sam's Own Ship' details a soldier's suffering during service, missing his old lady.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Pan on April 02, 2008, 06:42:25 AM
The "Mississippi Blues, Library of Congress recordings 1940-1942", (Travelin' Man, TM CD 07) has Leroy Williams, accompanied by William Brown, doing a song called "Uncle Sam Done Called", recorded by Alan and Elizabeth Lomax in August 1941 (apparently Brown did his version of ?Make Me A Pallet On The Floor? during the same session).

On the same CD, a 27-year old Honeboy Edwards is doing a song called "Army Blues", recorded by A. Lomax in July 1942.

And also on the same CD, Willie Blackwell, accompanied by William Brown, is doing a song called "Junior's A Jap Girl's Christmas For His Santa Claus (sic)", recording date not given.

I haven't figured the lyrics on any of the above, so I really don't know how anti- or pro-(?) war they might be.

How about the old spiritual: "I'm going to lay down my sword and shield, down by the riverside, I ain't going to study war no more"?
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Bunker Hill on April 02, 2008, 09:52:37 AM
there's a whole 1996 CD album by the title of "Uncle Sam Blues" (don't know if they're all 'anti'-war ;-) on the Blues Encore label (Blues Encore CD 52043). More info on my J.B. Lenoir discography  (http://www.wirz.de/music/lenoir.htm) - it's # 67
Stefan
Duh! How could I have overlooked that in my previous post, I scanned the front and back of the booklet for you. Just goes to show how often I play it.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on April 02, 2008, 04:49:48 PM
Hi all,
Here's one that is not technically a blues, but it's a very strong anti-war statement and a great song and performance.  The song is "Forgotten Soldier Boy", and I have it performed by the Lilly Brothers, Everett and Bea on mandolin, guitar and vocals from their old Folkways record, "The Lilly Brothers with Don Stover", one side of which is brother duets and the other side of which is outstanding Bluegrass.  I believe this song was originally recorded by the Monroe Brothers; one of you might know.

   I'm just a poor ex-soldier, that's broken down and blue
   I fought out in the great World War for the old Red, White and Blue
   I left my parents and my girl, I looked to France, did go
   And I fought out on the battlefield, through the hunger, sleet and snow

   I saw my buddy dying, and some shell-shocked and torn
   Although we never faltered in the Battle of the Marne (morn?)
   Then we were called when we left home to be heroes of the land
   Though we came back and found no one would lend a helping hand

   They promised gold and silver, they bid us all adieu
   They said they'd welcome us back home when the terrible war was through
   We fought until the war was over, they said we'd won the fight
   But we have no job or money, nor place to sleep at night

   They call us wandering poor bums, asking for shelter and bread
   Although we fought in No Man's Land, and a-many poor boy is dead
   So listen to my story and lend a helping hand
   To the poor forgotten soldier boys who helped to save our land

All best,
Johnm
   

   

   
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: mississippijohnhurt1928 on April 02, 2008, 06:48:08 PM
The Robert Lockwood/Big Boy Crudup song "I'm Gonna Dig Myself A Hole" has some anti-war references.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Rivers on April 28, 2008, 07:46:21 PM
In the 'Questionnaire Blues' family is Fred McDowell's 'Will Me Your Gold Watch And Chain'
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: RB on April 29, 2008, 05:06:03 AM
I remember when I first heard the E. House song, This War will Last you for Years,' during the Vietnam War, when I was a college student, and how odd that song sounded in the context of House's other playing and recording.  I'm sure I'd already attended a concert or two at which he played his blues and gospel numbers but nothing like this.  I do recall that I--and a few friends--were 'hip enough' to like the song immediately and that it had some relevance due to the then current war. 

I can't recall what vinyl LP it came out on--though I probably have it.  I do recall that there was some discussion of it in S. Charter's then most recently published Oak Publications book, and some or all of the lyrics were reprinted there.

Does anyone here know anything about the genesis or other baqckground of this song and its recording?  Thanks.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: TX_Songster on April 29, 2008, 05:36:44 AM
In the 'not quite blues' catagory... the old gospel song, "Ain't Gonna Study War No More"
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on April 29, 2008, 07:31:43 AM
Hi RB,
I believe the Son House was first re-issued on the Folkways album, "Son House and J. D. Short", put together, recorded (in the case of the Short tracks) and annotated by Samuel Charters.  I don't know anything more about the provenance of the Son House song.  It sounds like it was probably his own.
All best,
Johnm
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: uncle bud on April 29, 2008, 07:41:00 AM
"This War Will Last You for Years" was recorded by Son House in the 1941 Library of Congress recordings as "American Defense".
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Richard on April 29, 2008, 07:52:26 AM
Training Camp Blues by Champion Jack Dupree and there's also a Lonnie Johnson one too but I can't think what the hell it's called which is not lot of help!!
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: banjochris on April 29, 2008, 04:06:08 PM
Hi all,
Here's one that is not technically a blues, but it's a very strong anti-war statement and a great song and performance.  The song is "Forgotten Soldier Boy", and I have it performed by the Lilly Brothers, Everett and Bea on mandolin, guitar and vocals from their old Folkways record, "The Lilly Brothers with Don Stover", one side of which is brother duets and the other side of which is outstanding Bluegrass.  I believe this song was originally recorded by the Monroe Brothers; one of you might know.
 

Indeed it was done by Bill and Charlie, and it's been reissued (apart from Bear Family and JSP sets) on the Rounder album "Fifty Years from Now: American Country Songs of Protest," which is probably out of print now but used to be available on cassette (and CD too, probably). Very interesting album -- Harry McClintock's "Fifty Years from Now" is anti-war in an economic sense, which is unusual, and quite funny, too. (P.S. Battle of the Marne is right in those lyrics, John.)

Chris
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Bricktown Bob on April 30, 2008, 05:16:12 AM
Here's one that is not technically a blues, but it's a very strong anti-war statement and a great song and performance.  The song is "Forgotten Soldier Boy"

Yes, great song.  But to me it's not a strong anti-war statement as much as it is an embittered protest of the shabby treatment of veterans after the war.  And that, too, is needed.  The treatment of veterans is shameful now, though it was worse 80 years ago.  Maybe we need another Veterans' March on Washington.  Will they find another Douglas MacArthur to put it down?  Probably.  Will we celebrate him like we did the first?  Sadly, probably.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Rivers on December 18, 2008, 06:19:19 PM
Thought I'd revive this thread. Merle Travis played Re-Enlistment Blues in the movie From Here To Eternity, once again not technically anti-war but a humorously sad story about re-entry into civilian life with decommission money in your pocket. Merle's playing is salutary and the arrangement of what could have been a simple 12 bar blues is very strong. Highlights are an unusual turnaround which ends on the I instead of the usual V, and a walking bass behind Travis's canny chord progressions and melody licks. It's a lot of fun to try and figure out, play and sing.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on December 18, 2008, 09:03:03 PM
Hi all,
Henry Johnson's "Join The Army" is, if not exactly anti-war, certainly anti-military life.
All best,
Johnm
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Mike Brosnan on December 18, 2008, 10:00:06 PM
Well, we discussed "Everybody Help The Boys Come Home" in a lyrics thread a while ago, but it seems appropriate here as well.  Bunker Hill pointed out that William and Versey Smith's version influenced BWJ's "When The War Was On". 
I already posted my vid of Jerron Paxton's PT performance in the other thread, but... Well... Seems worth a repost:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4aa2hh5Hyg&feature=channel_page
If multiple postings of the same vid ain't cool I can just post a link to the other thread. 
Apologies for the shaky camera in the beginning... It gets a lil' better, but it kinda felt like the whole building was feelin' the rhythm 'til the very last note.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: oddenda on December 19, 2008, 12:09:21 AM
John -

         Thanks for bringing up Henry Johnson - there was also Pernell Charity's recording of "Gonna Dig Myself a Hole" that came from Crudup's recording.

Peter B.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Rivers on October 10, 2010, 09:52:48 AM
War Song, solo harp & vocal, Buster Brown, available on the Red River Blues 1934 - 1943 Flyright comp & also Deep River of Song - Georgia, belongs here. It's not all anti-war, there's some sabre rattling mixed-in. Buster plays a nice old-style harp with whoopin' and has a great voice. Song is about WW2, bombs, airplanes, people running every which way.

While I'm at it, War Is Starting Again, Lightnin' Hopkins, is very bluesy. My copy is on the Rhino Mojo Hand: The Anthology album.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Filbert Cobb on October 16, 2010, 01:27:52 PM
Going to Germany (Cannon's Jug Stompers) and Army Mule in No-Man's Land (Coley Jones and the Dallas String Band) are old favourites of mine, if not classically anti-war

FC
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Stumblin on October 16, 2010, 03:48:56 PM
Thanks for bringing this thread up, I'm kind of new here too!
I found this interesting review (http://record-fiend.blogspot.com/2009/11/mississippi-blues-library-of-congress.html), which might pass a few idle moments - if you remember those...
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: uncle bud on October 17, 2010, 08:10:59 AM
Going to Germany (Cannon's Jug Stompers) and Army Mule in No-Man's Land (Coley Jones and the Dallas String Band) are old favourites of mine, if not classically anti-war

FC

Hi FC - for a discussion of Going to Germany referring not to the war but to Germantown near Memphis, see this thread: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=128&topic=1852.0

cheers,
UB
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on January 30, 2011, 12:42:57 PM
Hi all,
There are a couple of interesting war-time experience blues on the JSP "New York Blues" set, performed by Sonny Boy & Lonnie, a group that according to the liner notes, blues researcher Chris Smith, has acertained after spending years working on figuring out their identities, may have been A. Smith (Sonny Boy) on vocals and guitar, Lonnie Johnson, not "the" Lonnie Johnson, on piano and Sam Bradley on second guitar. 
The two songs, "Southwest Pacific Blues" and "Big Moose Blues" are close to being identical, musically speaking.  Both find the lead guitarist accompanying himself out of G in standard tuning.  Sonny Boy had an unusual mannerism of repeating words in his lines.  His singing is strong, and in "Southwest Pacific Blues", the "ooooo" that opens the repetition of his opening lines nudges sharper and sharper the longer he holds it.  His opening verse appears to have been influenced by Robert Johnson's "Me And the Devil Blues". 

   "Southwest Pacific Blues"

   Early one Tuesday mornin', when the mailman knocked upon my door
   Ooooooooo, when the mailman knocked upon my door
   He said, "I'm sorry, Sonny Boy, I believe you've got to go."

   Spoken, during solo:  Pick 'em out, Mr. Bradley.  Yes, now!  Mama!  Oh, send me!

   They took me down to the Cumberland Tower, that's where th big boat roll me away
   Ooooooooo, That's where the big boat row rolled me away
   I said, "Bye bye, little baby, Little Man may return someday."

   I mean I rode the Southwest Pacific, I rode it both day and night
   Ooooooooo, Lordy, I rode it both day and night
   Lordy, don't let nobody tell you, there's nothin' over there but a whole lots of Hell

   Lordy, tell my dear old mother what a fool Little Boy have been
   Ooooooooo, what a fool Little Man, Man have been
   I said, "Bye bye, little baby, Little Man can't be the same old way."

   "Big Moose Blues"

   It was in San Fanfrisco, it was way way out in the Bay
   It was in 1943, it was way, way out, out in the Bay
   Yes, that's the Tuesday mornin' that old Big Moose row rolled us away

   We rode that Pacific, sailed it both day and night
   we rode that Pacific, sailed it both day, day, day and night
   Yes, some was drinkin' and gamblin', some was low, low down on their knees

   Japanese bomb was fallin', fallin' down, down, down from the sky
   Japanese bomb was fallin', fallin' down, down, down from the sky
   Sometime I wanted to leave that ship hold, but I had no place to go

   We land in French Haven, New Guinea, it was on the twenty-fifth day
   When we land in French Haven, New Guinea, it was on the twenty, twenty-fifth day
   Then I said, "Lord, Lord have mercy.  Have mercy on our poor G.I. souls."

All best,
Johnm

   



Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: LB on February 02, 2011, 04:02:23 PM
Mr Frank Edwards, from Atlanta, had a song on Okeh records "Get Together" that talks about WWII. It's not so much like a protest song but one thing that has always bugged me, there are very few people, even soldiers that actually love war. So in many ways most people with few exceptions are by default Anti-War. Perhaps there are a lot more songs when you include all songs related to war.

Question, when Charlie Patton sings  "I'm goin away, to a world unknown" and then "Some people say overseas blues aint bad. Is he talking about the first world war era?

Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: un5trung on February 12, 2011, 12:52:27 PM
"Let's Settle in Vietnam," Sam Hopkins

The Son House song mentioned in the original post was called "American Defense" and I've always heard it as war propaganda. It encourages growing produce, joining the army, and killing so many "Japs" that there wouldn't be enough left to play a game of craps. Listen to it again -- some of the lyrics are hard to make out, but it's propaganda, not an anti-war song. Someone else mentioned hearing it in the Vietnam era -- I don't doubt that he did, and I'd imagine that in that context the lyrics were adapted to fit the mood of the times.
Robert
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: JohnLeePimp on February 12, 2011, 01:55:33 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgc4c4ixgZE

At least... I think it's anti-war
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: jostber on February 12, 2011, 11:51:29 PM
These two recent compilations have some anti-war songs:

Bloody War : Songs 1924-1939 (Tompkins Square)

(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tompkinssquare.com%2Fimages%2FTSQ2479_BloodyWar_300.jpg&hash=105da2be72d0a3b47dba54184885cfdbe334784a)

The Great War (Archaephone Records)

(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.archeophone.com%2F%2Fimages%2Fcovers%2F375%2F2001.jpg&hash=ea0232246f28b237c3f776a45740c8ffddd5ab73)









Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Rivers on September 28, 2012, 06:35:38 PM
Arthur Big Boy Crudup's Give Me A 32-20 (built on a 45 frame) is a nice 'got a letter from Uncle Sam' variation, with some fairly ironic lyrics. It's on the juke.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: frailer24 on September 29, 2012, 03:58:50 AM
Sadly, this one is very far on the edge, but all the others I know have been mentioned. Arlo Guthrie- "Alice's Restaraunt Massacree." Feel free to disregard this.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Johnm on April 11, 2013, 08:39:55 AM
Hi all,
I don't know if any of you have read Henry Townsend's autobiography, but his account of his military service offers a real life case of anti-war blues.  Actually, by his own account, Henry was a conscientious objector, not to war, per se, but to taking orders and military life.  He had the guts simply to refuse to take any orders from the point at which he was inducted until he was discharged.  He didn't want to be there and figured, correctly, that that whole way of life is dependent on soldiers taking orders.  He wouldn't do it, so he was out of there pretty quickly--the military can't afford to have someone setting that kind of example for the other soldiers.
I suppose it is the kind of independence you might find in someone who left home at the age of nine.
All best,
Johnm 
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Old Man Ned on April 11, 2013, 11:17:13 AM
Well I didn't think it was possible but Henry Townsend has just gone further up in my estimation.  On the anti-war thread I'll chip in with Charlie Sayles's Vietnam
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: daddystovepipe on April 12, 2013, 03:24:44 PM
War News Blues by Lightnin' Hopkins
LIGHTNIN' HOPKINS - WAR NEWS BLUES (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbRFcTMewx8#)

You may turn your radio on soon in the morning, sad news every day
You may turn your radio on soon in the morning, sad news every day
Yes, you know, I got a warning, trouble is on its way

Poor children running, crying, "Whoa, mama, mama, now what shall we do?"
Poor children running, crying, "Whoa, mama, mama, now what shall we do?"
"Yes" she said, "You had better pray, children, same thing is happening to mama too"

I'm gonna dig me a hole this morning, dig it deep down in the ground
I'rn gonna dig me a hole this morning, dig it deep down in the ground
So if it should happen to drop a bomb around somewhere, I can't hear the echo when it sounds
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: MonongahelaSheik on April 12, 2013, 03:54:48 PM
Not specifically anti-war but about racism in war: Josh White -  Uncle Sam Says.
 I believe National Defense is really patriotic.  Imagine the anxiety in 1942 when this was recorded  with the enemy gaining ground and we're newly in the war.   How long will the war last???  He's saying  Buck up folks; 'This war may last you for years.'
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Shovel on April 14, 2013, 10:12:41 AM
Quote
All I know is we need some more NOW

Amen!

Double Amen!
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Pan on July 31, 2013, 03:45:36 PM
Hi all

How about the Five Breezes' tune "My Buddy Blues"?

The Five Breezes - My Buddy Blues (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-E3QoBzYemE#)

Here's a very short biography on this pre-war group, led by Willie Dixon:

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/five-breezes-mn0000063925/biography (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/five-breezes-mn0000063925/biography)

I guess this would make a good entry on the blues with sung harmony thread as well!

Cheers

Pan
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: jpeters609 on August 01, 2013, 06:53:16 AM
From the Sun Records vault, how about James Scott Jr. Blues Rockers with L.B. Lawson: "Missing In Action."

(Can't find a video for this one, unfortunately.)
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Bunker Hill on August 01, 2013, 08:44:02 AM
Hi all

Here's a very short biography on this pre-war group, led by Willie Dixon:

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/five-breezes-mn0000063925/biography (http://www.allmusic.com/artist/five-breezes-mn0000063925/biography)

Cheers

Pan
All too short, I fear, Pan.

In 1985 Jonas Bernholm released two LPs (on his Dr Horse label) of their entire recorded output, the first of which had a gatefold sleeve. Both LPs are festooned with vintage photos that had been loaned to him by Willie Dixon, the Caston family and others. The notes to both are copious (by Jonas and Don Snowden). The LPs got rave reviews at the time but one or two pundits found them an "acquired taste". These LPs used to fetch silly sums of money...

In the 90s there was a single Sony CD in the Roots & Blues series which didn't really do them justice.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: wreid75 on August 04, 2013, 03:39:44 PM
Topics like these keep me exposed to gems that I have either forgotten about or have missed along the way.  On Leadbelly songs, this cat wasn't afraid to record anything.  Some of the subject matter, tone, and language was decades ahead of its time.  If I only had a time machine and could hear him in his prime when he was young.  Well prime isn't the right word since House sounded the best later in life.
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Mr.OMuck on October 16, 2013, 11:34:53 PM
http://youtu.be/kClyznZFBic (http://youtu.be/kClyznZFBic)

Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: JohnLeePimp on October 17, 2013, 07:01:57 PM
'When You Are Gone' BLIND BOY FULLER (1940) Blues Guitar Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDZfSjNiIWA#)

Somewhat pro-war, but Fuller realises the soldiers aren't going to enjoy themselves much out on the battlefield...
Title: Re: Anti-War Blues
Post by: Pan on December 22, 2013, 04:31:26 PM
Not specifically anti-war but about racism in war: Josh White -  Uncle Sam Says.
 I believe National Defense is really patriotic.  Imagine the anxiety in 1942 when this was recorded  with the enemy gaining ground and we're newly in the war.   How long will the war last???  He's saying  Buck up folks; 'This war may last you for years.'

I just came across "Uncle Sam Says" on YouTube:

UNCLE SAM SAYS by Josh White 1941 JIM CROW SONG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRDAxnnHcCo#)

I think that White's "Defence Factory Blues", from the same session, qualifies to this thread also:

DEFENSE FACTORY BLUES by Josh White 1941 JIM CROW SONGS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEV_t53o8ZM#)

Cheers

Pan

Edited to add:  Elijah Wald's article on Living Blues magazine deals with the subject: http://www.elijahwald.com/joshprotest.html (http://www.elijahwald.com/joshprotest.html)
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