Topic: Dr. Ross Lyrics

[Johnm]

Hi all,
"China Blues" by Dr. Ross, recently posted on the Weenie Campbell YouTube channel, comes from his Testament CD, "Call The Doctor". He operates in his one-man band capacity for the number, lacking only his harmonica playing off a rack for his full solo ensemble sound. He accompanies himself out of Vestapol tuning for the song, and delivers a big surprise when he goes to a major II chord for the tagline of each verse. His rhythmic energy is unflagging throughout. He grooved so hard! He's really country-sounding in his singing and use of language. Here is "China Blues":



INTRO

I'm gon' get up in the mornin', and I believe I'll go back home
I'm gon' get up in the mornin', and I believe I'll go back home
Done quit the best woman I lovin', say I did know right from wrong

I'm gonna call over in China, see if my baby over there
I'm gonna call over in China, see if my baby over there
Well, she's not over in China, Lord, she are in this world somewhere

What you want with a rooster, he won't crow for day?
What you want with a rooster, he won't crow for day?
What you want with a woman, she won't do nothin' you say?

Well I'm goin' home in the mornin', don't even stay but a day
Yes, I'm goin' home in the mornin', don't even stay but a day
Well, you better watch out, pretty baby, change your evil way

INTERLUDE (Spoken: Yes, yes!)

Well, she may be your woman, look who got her now (Spoken: Uh-huh)
Yes, she may be your woman, look who got her now (Spoken: Too bad!)
Well, that little woman, she got somethin', make a bulldog grab a hound (Spoken: Yes, yes)

Well, I'm goin' over in Italy, my baby's over there
Yes, I'm goin' over in Italy, my baby's over there
Well, if she's not over in Italy, then she are in this world somewhere

Edited 10/16 to pick up correction from Blues Vintage

All best,
Johnm



 


 

[Blues Vintage]

I hear the 3.3 ending like this

she won't do nothin' she you say

[Johnm]

I think you're right, Blues Vintage, and I will make that change. Thanks.

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Dr. Ross performed "Blues And Trouble" on his Testament CD, "Call The Doctor", accompanying himself out of Spanish tuning capoed up, and playing bass drum, hi-hat and harmonica off a rack. The high pitch of the rendition lends a real intensity to the sound of the performance. I'm finding some of these lyrics really difficult to hear and would appreciate help/corrections. Here is "Blues And Trouble":



INTRO

Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble is all in the world I see
Trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble, trouble is all in the world I see
Lord, I's a-wonder, babe, what's gon' become of me

When I wake up in the mornin', blues and trouble, Lord, 'round my bed
When I wake up in the mornin', blues and trouble, Lord, around my bed
Well, I'm not away with you, be that's what I heard my baby said

She says, "I'm leavin' in the mornin', baby, your tryin' won't make me stay."
She said, "I'm leavin' in the mornin', baby, your tryin' won't make me stay.
Yeah, you keep on cryin', babe, the further you gon' drive me 'way."

SOLO

All best,
Johnm 

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Dr. Ross played "Cat Squirrel", from his Testament album, "Call The Doctor", out of Spanish tuning, filling out his sound with harmonica, bass drum and hi-hat. He played with such rhythmic drive--there have been very few players to match it. Here is "Cat Squirrel":



INTRO VAMPING

Well I'm goin', Lord, I'm goin', for to worry you, off my mind, Lord you
Keep me worried, bothered all, bothered all, bothered all, bothered all the
Time

INTERLUDE

Well, I went, went to the church house, yeah, and I kneeled down there to pray, I kneeled
Down on my knees darlin', not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word, not a word had to
Say

INTERLUDE AND SOLO

Well my mother, told my father, just a few days, 'fore I was born, she got a
Boy child comin', gon' be a roll, gon' be a rollin', gon' be a roll, gon' be a rollin'
Stone

INTERLUDE

Well I wrote, wrote her a letter, wrote 'er a letter, just to see, just to
See how much she loved me, little girl, little girl, little girl, little girl, little
Girl

INTERLUDE AND SOLO

Well I know, she don't love me, she don't love me, me no more, I'm gon'
Leave here, runnin', walkin's most, walkin's most, walkin's most, walkin's most too
slow

INTERLUDE

Edited 11/2 to pick up correction from Blues Vintage

All best,
Johnm

[Blues Vintage]

Far from sure but a little suggestion:

2.2 Down on my knees down there darlin'

[Johnm]

Thanks for the catch, Blues Vintage. I have made the change.

[Johnm]

It occurred to me that "Cat Squirrel" is a version of "Catfish Blues", which like Tommy McClennan's "Deep Blue Sea Blues", never has the catfish verse. Its melody and the way the lyrics scan, with the conclusion of each verse stammering before finally finishing the line, is just like "Catfish Blues".

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Dr. Ross played "Mama Blues" as a harmonica solo. Here it is:



HARMONICA VAMP

Hey mama (harmonica says "Hey, mama." and vamps)
What you want, son? (harmonica's answer is not clear, vamping)
I wants a drink of water (harmonica says "I wants a drink of water." and vamping)
Hey, hey mama (harmonica says, "Hey, hey mama." and vamps)
What you want, son? (harmonica's answer is unclear)
I wants a drink of (harmonica says "water")
Didn't quite understand you, let's hear you say it again (harmonica says "I want a drink of water")
Let's hear you call your mama, son (harmonica calls her)
What you want, son? (harmonica says, "I want a drink of water.")
Give him a drink of water (harmonica is excited)
Swallow your water now, son (harmonica swallows it)
Call your mama now (harmonica calls her)
Call her real loud (harmonica calls her real loud)
Tell her what you want now (harmonica wants more water)
You want what? (harmonica repeats request for water)
You want a drink of water? (harmonica says, "Yes, ma'am.")
Yes, ma'am (harmonica vamps)
Hey, hey mama (harmonica says 'Hey, hey mama." and vamps)
What you want, son? (harmonica's answer is unclear)
I wants a drink of water (harmonica says, "I wants a drink of water." and calls an end to the dialogue)

All best,
Johnm