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Country Blues => Weenie Campbell Main Forum => Topic started by: Pan on May 18, 2007, 04:02:46 PM
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Hi all
JohnM's recent post on another thread, discussing "Mama's Angel Child", a peculiar waltz by Sweet Papa Stovepipe got me thinking about waltzes in general, played by CB artists. Surprisingly seldom you come across one, perhaps because the record companies weren't interested in recording them by black artists?
I think many CB artists who were professional entertainers must have known quite a few of them, however. Here's a list I have come up with, mainly by using the search function on Weenie Campbell. If you know a waltz performed by a CB artist, please post, and I'll add it to the list.
I'd also like to hear your opinions, why the recorded waltzes by black artists in the prewar era are so few.
The "Spanish Fandango" or "Spanish Flang Dang" seems to exist in various forms from a waltz to 6/8 to straight 4/4. Here are listed only the waltz and 6/8 ones.
WALTZES PERFORMED BY COUNTRY BLUES & HILLBILLY ARTISTS
"After The Ball Is Over", Sid Hemphill, Field Recordings, Vol. 3: Mississippi (1936-1942) Document
"All In Down And Out Blues", Uncle Dave Macon, Travelin' Down the Road, County Records CCs-CD-115.
"Alma Waltz", Mississippi Mud Steppers, Violin, Sing The Blues For Me: African-American Fiddlers 1926-1949-CD, Old Hat Records
"American Defense", Son House, A Proper Introduction to Son House: Delta Blues, Proper
"American & Spanish Fandango", R. B. Smith and S. J. Allgood, a banjo duet, Old Time Mountain Banjo, Country Records/Select-O. See also "Spanish Fandango", for other versions of this song.
"Babies In The Mill", Dorsey Dixon, Babies In The Mill, Dorsey Dixon, Hightone CD, B000003OJ6.
"Black Girl/Black Gal", Leadbelly, Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1, Smithsonian Folkways, among others. See also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for other versions of this song.
"Black Pine Waltz", harmonica player Gwen Foster, Classic Old Time Music On Victor 1925-1930-CD, BACM - British Archive Of Country Music http://www.juneberry78s.com/otmsampler/otmsampta.html (http://www.juneberry78s.com/otmsampler/otmsampta.html)
"Birmingham Jail"
- Leadbelly, Shout On: Leadbelly Legacy, Vol. 3, Smithsonian Folkways
- Darby & Tarlton, Complete Recordings, Bear Family
"Bugle Waltz", Furry Lewis, Take Your Time, Genes CD
"Crazy Waltz" , Jesse Fuller, (Folk Lore LP 14006), Brother Lowdown, Fantasy
"Daddy and Home", Jimmie Rodgers, Victor ? 21757, Shellac, 10", 78 RPM, 1928. Essential Jimmie Rodgers, RCA B000002X3V. See the entry below for Leadbelly's cover.
"Daddy I'm Coming Back to You", Leadbelly (orig. by Jimmie Rodgers as "Daddy and Home", see the entry above), one of the originally unissued ARC recordings, Lead Belly's Legacy, Vol. 3: Early Recordings, Smithsonian Folkways FW02024.
"Dancing With Tears In My Eyes", Leadbelly, Last Sessions, Smithsonian Folkways
"Dear Little Girl", Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers (Mississippi Sheiks), Walter Vinson, Complete Recorded Works (1928-1941), Document
"Death Is Only A Dream", Rev. Edward W. Clayborn, Blind Willie Johnson and the Guitar Evangelists, JSP
"Down Home Waltz", Jesse Fuller (Lake CD 5024), The Lone Cat Sings and Plays Jazz, Folk Songs, Spirituals and Blues, Obc
"Down in the Willow Garden", Charlie Monroe, I'm Old Kentucky Bound, Bear Family, BCD-16808-CD
"Du, Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen", Howard Armstrong & Ted Bogan, Howard Armstrong - Louie Bluie, Arhoolie 1095 LP
"Dying Ranger", Dock Boggs, His Folkways Years, 1963-1968, Smithsonian Folkways SFW40108_210
"Evening Chimes Waltz", Herve Duerson, Barrelhouse Piano Blues and Stomps (1929 - 1933)-CD, Document
"Farewell Waltz", Mississippi Mud Steppers, Mississippi String Bands and Associates (1928-1931): Complete Recorded Works, Document
"Farther Along", Mississippi John Hurt, Worried Blues, Rounder
"Go Wash in the Beautiful Stream", Reverend Moses Mason,
Take Me to the Water: Immersion Baptism In Vintage Music and Photography 1890-1950, 2011 Dust-to-Digital; Too Late, Too Late Vol. 2 1897-1935, Document Records.
"God and Man", Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, Sonny & Brownie, A&M Records, 1973.
"Graduation March" in 6/8 march or jig time, Elizabeth Cotten, Freight Train And Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes, Smithsonian Folkways
"Great Dream From Heaven", Joseph Spence, Real Bahamas, Vol. 1-2 -CD, Nonesuch
"Good Night Irene", Leadbelly, Last Sessions, Smithsonian Folkways, also check Midnight Special - Library of Congress Recordings Volume 1, Rounder
"Goodnight Irene", Scott Dunbar, From Lake Mary, Fat Possum, # FP80338
"Guian Valley Waltz", Reese Jarvis and Dick Justice, Brunswick 333; Old Time Music From West Virginia 1927 - 1929, Document, DOCD-8004
"Guitar Waltz", Sam McGee, see "Knoxville Blues"
"He Is My Story", Arizona Dranes, He Is My Story: The Sanctified Soul of Arizona Dranes, Tompkins Square B008DL3YJC
"Happy Meeting In Glory", Joseph Spence, The Complete Folkways Recordings, 1958, Smithsonian Folkways http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/trackdetail.aspx?itemid=9474 (http://www.smithsonianglobalsound.org/trackdetail.aspx?itemid=9474)
"Henry Lee", Dick Justice, Brunswick 367 May 21, 1929; Anthology Of American Folk Music
1952, Volume One: Ballads
"House Of The Rising Sun"
- Clarence Ashley, "Rising Sun Blues", 1933
- Georgia Turner, "Rising Sun Blues", Alan Lomax: Popular Songbook, Rounder SACD 1863
- Leadbelly, Complete Recorded Works, Vol. 3 (1943 - 1944), Document, DOCD-5228
"I Am A Pilgrim", Rev. Gary Davis, Rev. Gary Davis--Live at Gerde's Folk City, February, 1962, Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop
"I Didn't Hear Anybody/(Nobody) Pray", Dixon Bothers, Dixon Brothers 3, Document CD B000056W0S. This song was retitled as "Wreck On The Highway" (see below on the list), after Roy Acuff made a hit recording of the song with that title (resulting in a copyright dispute).
"I Must Be Blind, I Can Not See", Blind Roger Hay, Sinners and Saints, Document DOCD-5106, http://fakingit.typepad.com/faking_it/2007/02/whats_it_like_t.html (http://fakingit.typepad.com/faking_it/2007/02/whats_it_like_t.html)
"I Want Someone to Love Me", Tommy Johnson, Times Ain't Like They Used To Be Vol. 8: Early American Rural Music Classic Recordings Of 1920's and 1930's-CD, Yazoo
"I'm Alone Because I Love You", Leadbelly, Last Sessions, Smithsonian Folkways
"I'm Anchored In Love Divine", The Carver Boys, The Music Of Kentucky, Vol. 2
Early American Rural Classics 1927-37, Yazoo 2014
"If It Had Not Been For Jesus", Blind Willie Johnson, Complete Recordings Of Blind Willie Johnson, Legacy / Sony CD
"In A Cool Shady Nook", Sam McGee, Sam Mcgee - 1926 - 1934, Document
"In The Heart of the City That Has No Heart", Emry Arthur, Emry Arthur, I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow V.1, Old Homestead 4190
"In The Pines",
- Bill Monroe, Best Of, Universal Music Group
- Dock Walsh, In The Pines: Tar Heel Folk Songs & Fiddle Tunes: Old-Time Music Of North Carolina 1926-1936, Old Hat Records. See also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for other versions of this song.
"Jesus Is Tenderly Calling", Elizabeth Cotten, a hymn in 3/4 time, Shake Sugaree, Smithsonian Folkways Recordings - SFW40147 2004
"Jug Band Waltz", The Memphis Jug Band, The Memphis Jug Band Vol. 2 (1928-1929), Document
"Knoxville Blues" (1st part), Sam McGee, Sam Mcgee - 1926-1934, Document. Note: he apparently recorded the waltz part again later on as as "Guitar Waltz" and "Little Texas Waltz".
"Let Me Call You Sweetheart", Furry Lewis, Furry Lewis & Mississippi Joe Callicott ? The Complete Blue Horizon Sessions Sony / Blue Horizon CD 88697041792
"Let's Make Up and Be friends Again", Leroy Carr, Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Volume 1, JSP
Likes Likker Better Than Me (Brown-Eyed Boy), Woodie Brothers, Woodie Brothers, "Likes Likker Better Than Me" (Victor 23579, 1931; on LostProv1)
"Lightening [sic] Express", Frank Hutchison, Complete Recorded Works 1 (1926-29) Document
"Little Texas Waltz", Sam McGee, see "Knoxville Blues".
"Logan County Blues", Frank Hutchison, 1927, on Worried Blues, Frank Hutchison & Kelly Harrell, JSP. See also "Spanish Fandango", for other versions of this song.
"Lonesome in the Pines", Tarlton & Darby, Tom Darby & Jimmie Tarlton: Atlanta 1927-1929, JSP. See also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for other versions of this song.
"The Longest Train", J. E. Mainer, in 3/2, When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 10: East Virginia Blues, Rca. See also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for other versions of this song.
"Looking This Way", Mississippi John Hurt, Library of Congress Recordings, Vol. 2, Fuel Records
"Lost Love Blues", Dock Boggs, Country Blues: Complete Early Recordings, Revenant Records B000001Z3Y
"Mama's Angel Child", Sweet Papa Stovepipe, The Paramount Masters-CD, JSP
"Miss The Mississippi And You", Jimmie Rodgers, The Ultimate Collection, Platinum
"Mississippi River Waltz", The Memphis Jug Band, The Memphis Jug Band Vol. 2 (1928-1929), Document
"Missouri Waltz", Mance Lipscomb, Texas Songster Volume 2: You Got To Reap What You Sow-CD, Arhoolie
"Morning Glory Waltz", Mississippi Mud Steppers, Mississippi String Bands and Associates (1928-1931): Complete Recorded Works, Document
"Mystery Of The Dunbar's Child", Richard (Rabbit) Brown (1927),
V. A.: The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929), Document DOCD 5003
"New Huntsville Jail", Joe Evans and Arthur McClain, The Two Poor Boys - Joe Evans & Arthur McClain (1927-1931), Document
"Nile of Genago", Lonnie Johnson, Playing with the Strings, Jsp Records
"No Disappointment In Heaven", Dock Boggs, His Folkways Years, 1963-1968, Smithsonian Folkways SFW40108_210
"No.29", Wesley Wallace, a piano boogie in 3/4 time (!),The Paramount Masters, disc A, JSP
"Nobody Cares for Me", Mississippi John Hurt, Worried Blues, Rounder
"Nobody Cares For Me", Rev Gary Davis, Demons and Angels: The Ultimate Collection, Shanachie.
"Oh How I Love Jesus", Joseph Spence, Happy All The Time, Rhino/Elektra 1964
"Old Joe's Barroom", Dock Boggs, His Folkways Years, 1963-1968, Smithsonian Folkways SFW40108_210
"One Cold December Day", Dick Justice, Brunswick 367 May 21, 1929; Old-Time Music from West Virginia, Complete Recorded Works in Chronological Order, Document DOCD 8004
"Papa, Build Me A Boat", Dock Boggs, His Folkways Years, 1963-1968, Smithsonian Folkways SFW40108_210
"Paul And Silas In Jail", Washington Phillips, Washington Phillips, Denomination Blues, Agram Blues, AB-2006 -LP
"Penitentiary Blues", Jimmie Davis (probably with Ed Schaffer [as 'Dizzy Head'] and Oscar Woods), Midnight Blues 1929-1933, Acrobat #ACMCD 4220 CD
"Pistol Packin' Papa", Jimmie Rodgers, Jimmie Rodgers, The Singing Brakeman, 6-CD-Box & 60-Page Book, Bear Family BCD15540
"Poor Little Benny", Bela Lam & Family, OKEH (1918-1935) - 45136 - 1927-07-07; matrix: 81143; ~3 min , Various - Times Ain't Like They Used To Be (Early American Rural & Popular Music) (DVD-V)
"Poor Girl's Waltz", Reese Jarvis and Dick Justice, Brunswick 333; Old Time Music From West Virginia 1927 - 1929, Document, DOCD-8004
"President Kennedy", Son House, The Original Delta Blues, Vanguard
"Prairie Lullaby", Jimmie Rodgers, Recordings 1927-1933, Jsp Records
ASIN: B00006IRKY
"Rock All Our Babies To Sleep";
- Riley Puckett, Columbia, 1924
- Jimmie Rodgers, Victor 23721, 1932; Jimmie Rodgers and Country Stars: You and My Old Guitar, Jasmine Records, B008YASTT2
"Rose Conley", Grayson and Whitter, Grayson & Whitter Vol 1 1927 - 1928, Document DOCD-8054
"Roses While I'm Living", Dock Boggs, His Folkways Years, 1963-1968, Smithsonian Folkways SFW40108_210
"San Antonio (Waltz)", Cartwright Brothers, Originally issued on the 1929 single (Victor V-40147) (78 RPM)
(Note:Also issued on Montgomery Ward M-4294)
"The Sheik Waltz", Mississippi Sheiks, Mississippi Sheiks Vol.1 1930-CD, Document, or When I Take My Vacation in Harlem: Blues Legends Sing Pop-CD, Elijah Wald; also check for a version by Kim & Frank Basile http://www.donegone.net/?p=133 (http://www.donegone.net/?p=133)
"Sheiks Special",Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers (Mississippi Sheiks), Walter Vinson, Complete Recorded Works (1928-1941), Document
"Sinking Of The Titanic", Richard (Rabbit) Brown (1927),
V. A.: The Greatest Songsters (1927-1929), Document DOCD 5003
"Soon My Work Will All Be Done", Rev. Gary Davis, Rev. Gary Davis--Live at Gerde's Folk City, February, 1962, Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop
"Spanish Fandango", or "Spanish Flang Dang";
- Elizabeth Cotten, ?Spanish Flang Dang?, Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs, Smithsonian Folkways
- Mance Lipscomb ?Spanish Flang Dang? ,Texas Songster Volume 2: You Got To Reap What You Sow-CD, Arhoolie
- Steve James, "Spanish Fandango", Two Track Mind,Texas Music Group 1993, which is based on
- Frank Hutchison's 1927 recording "Logan County Blues", on Worried Blues, Frank Hutchison & Kelly Harrell, JSP
- A banjo duet by R. B. Smith and S. J. Allgood, entitled "American & Spanish Fandango", Old Time Mountain Banjo, Country Records/Select-O
- Furry Lewis, ?Spanish Flang Dang?, The Memphis Blues Of Furry Lewis, 1968, Matchbox SDR 190 (UK) = Roots SL-505 (Cont. Europe)
"Spanish Flang Dang"
- Elizabeth Cotten, Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs, Smithsonian Folkways
- Mance Lipscomb,Texas Songster Volume 2: You Got To Reap What You Sow-CD, Arhoolie. See also "Spanish Fandango" for other versions of this song.
"Springtime In The Rockies", Leadbelly, Last Sessions, Smithsonian Folkways
"Sweet Bunch of Daisies",
- El Watson, Great Harp Players (1927-30), Matchbox MSE-209, or V. A.: Fillin' In Blues, Herwin H 205
- Jewell "Babe" Stovall, Rounder 2009 (1970) = Albatros VPA 8392 (1979)
"Sunset Waltz", Mississippi Mud Steppers, Complete Charlie McCoy 1928-1932 Recordings-CD, Document
- for a very nice reharmonization, check out the version by Kim & Frank Basile and "samjessin" Mike Hoffman on this thread: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=128&topic=4629.msg39054#msg39054 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=128&topic=4629.msg39054#msg39054)
"Tennessee Waltz",
-Daddy Stovepipe on Blues From Maxwell Street (Heritage LP 1004),
-Scott Dunbar, unissued
"There Will Be A Happy Meeting In Glory Someday", Joseph Spence, Joseph Spence: The Complete Folkways Recordings, 1958
"This War Will Last You For Years", Son House, J.D. Short and Son House: Blues from the Mississippi Delta, Folkways Records - FW02467 1963
"U.S. Waltz", Furry Lewis, Various Artists: Beale Street Mess-Around, Rounder LP 2006
"United States March", in 6/8, Rev Gary Davis, The Guitar & Banjo Of Rev. Gary Davis, Fantasy Records
"Unlucky Man", Allen Brothers, Allen Brothers 1930-1932 vol. 2, Document records, ASIN: B00005K2Z5
"Waiting for You", Mississippi John Hurt, Last Sessions, Vanguard, for another take, also check out Library of Congress Recordings, volume 2
"Waltz Time Candyman", Rev Gary Davis, on LP Ragtime Guitar (Transatlantic TRA 244), or Reverend Blind Gary Davis, Heritage
"Watch the Fords Go By", Philip McCutcheon, the Cedar Creek Sheik
Never Let The Same Bee Sting You Twice, Document, DOCD-5678
"Weeping and Wailing", Mississippi John Hurt, Worried Blues, Rounder
"Wednesday Night Waltz", North Carolina Hawaiians, OKEH 45248, 1928
"What Are They Doing In Heaven Today?", Washington Phillips, I Am Born to Preach the Gospel, Yazoo
"When They Ring the Golden Bells", Alfred Karnes, Mountain Gospel, JSP
"Where Did You Sleep Last Night/ In The Pines/ Black Girl/Black Gal",
- Leadbelly, Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy, Vol. 1, Smithsonian Folkways, among others.
- Bill Monroe, "In The Pines", Best Of, Universal Music Group
- J. E. Mainer, "The Longest Train", in 3/2, When the Sun Goes Down, Vol. 10: East Virginia Blues, Rca
- Dock Walsh, In The Pines: Tar Heel Folk Songs & Fiddle Tunes: Old-Time Music Of North Carolina 1926-1936, Old Hat Records
- Alfred Karnes"Where We'll Never Grow Old", Mountain Gospel, JSP
- Tarlton & Darby, "Lonesome in the Pines", Tom Darby & Jimmie Tarlton: Atlanta 1927-1929, JSP
"Where We'll Never Grow Old", Alfred Karnes, Mountain Gospel, JSP. See also "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" for other versions of the song.
"Wreck On The Highway", Dorsey Dixon, Babies In The Mill, Dorsey Dixon, Hightone CD, B000003OJ6. See also "I Didn't Hear Anybody Pray" above on the list.
Here's a link to a YouTube playlist, with all the songs mentioned in this thread, that could be found:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEJV1lNKyyU2DjdjwKfNNDXiwVhbwWBQ&feature=mh_lolz (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEJV1lNKyyU2DjdjwKfNNDXiwVhbwWBQ&feature=mh_lolz)
And a complementary playlist on Spotify, mainly for the songs that couldn't be found on YouTube:
http://open.spotify.com/user/1145504196/playlist/2fqOjDYfHHFAPWOPze5yQ3 (http://open.spotify.com/user/1145504196/playlist/2fqOjDYfHHFAPWOPze5yQ3)
Cheers, and thank you for your contributions in advance
Pan :)
Edited and re-edited as kindly suggested by banjochris, Bunker Hill, dj, Frankie, JohnM, mr mando, Rivers, Slack, SpikeDriver, Stefan Wirz and Uncle Bud.
The Stefan Wirz discography has been a big help!
http://www.wirz.de/music/american.htm (http://www.wirz.de/music/american.htm)
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Not strictly country blues but very strictly waltz time, Joseph Spence's Great Dream From Heaven & Happy Meeting In Glory come to mind.
Missouri Waltz, Mance Lipscomb on You Got To Reap What You Sow
What we really need is a few more indexes in DG&R, time signatures and bar structures!
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I have a feeling that, as you say Pan, the white-hillbilly and waltzes/black-blues divide enforced by record companies is the primary reason for the dearth of waltzes recorded by black performers. I also have a feeling, based on nothing more than educated guesswork and observation, that white performers and black performers tended to perform the same material when they played waltzes ("Missouri Waltz," "Birmingham Jail," &c.), so that racial divide would have been more strictly enforced by the record companies. The stuff that the Miss. Sheiks and friends recorded in 3/4 is both highly technically proficient and unusual; I also believe that the "Sheik Waltz," "Alma" and "Sunset" were released in old-time rather than race series.
In addition, by the time the folk revival came around, I think waltzes had acquired a definite "old-fashioned" (not in a good way) perception; for instance, the New Lost City Ramblers didn't record many pieces in waltz time, and only one instrumental waltz.
Frank Hutchison's record of Spanish Fandango is called "Logan County Blues" and is indeed a waltz.
Rev. Gary Davis' "Waltz Time Candyman" is on the CD just called Rev. Gary Davis that has the "Ragtime Guitar" and "Children of Zion" records combined on it.
Other waltzes:
Leadbelly does Birmingham Jail as well as Jimmie Rodgers' "Daddy and Home" (I can't remember his title for it, but it's one of the unissued ARC recordings) and I'm sure many others.
Mississippi John Hurt does "Farther Along," "Weeping and Wailing," "Waiting for You," "Nobody Cares for Me"
Rev. Gary Davis does I think at least one tune in 3/4 on the first CD of the Angels in Demons set, but I can't remember what it is.
Son House's "American Defense" and "President Kennedy" are both in waltz time.
This is a very interesting topic and I'm sure we'll see some unusual submissions.
Chris
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Hi Pan,
Interesting that you should post on this topic, since I've been thinking of doing just such a post for some time. Between you and Rivers and banjochris, you guys got all of the tunes in 3/4 that I had thought of, though I'm sure there are more, especially from the songster contingent. One sort of amazing thing is that three of John Hurt's waltzes, "Farther Along", "Weeping And Wailing" and "Nobody Cares for Me" crop up on the same CD, his original second album on the Piedmont label, "Worried Blues", which was recorded live at a Washington coffeehouse, the Ontario Place. It is very hard to imagine another performer in the style playing three songs in 3/4 time over the course of an evening's two sets (though the recording may actually have been done over a series of nights).
Whoops, just thought of a couple. On his last sessions, Leadbelly did "Dancing With Tears In My Eyes" and "Springtime In The Rockies", both of which are in 3/4. There may be others, too, but I can't recall them, so I'll have to listen to the whole thing. This is a very interesting topic, Pan.
All best,
Johnm
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The Memphis Jug Band does "Jug Band Waltz" and "Mississippi River Waltz."
Libba Cotten's "Spanish Flangdang" is in waltz time, it's just a fast waltz time. Her "Graduation March" is in 6/8, which is the only "country blues" fingerstyle piece I can think of in 6/8 march or jig time.
Another similar tune to "Spanish Flangdang" is "Dew Drop," which Sam McGee played and Uncle Dave Macon parodied hilariously on "Uncle Dave's Travels Part 4 (Visit to the Old Maid's)."
Chris
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Hi all,
Rev. Davis's "United States March" is in 6/8.
All best,
Johnm
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>>Rev. Davis's "United States March" is in 6/8.
D'oh! Good catch, John. And I play it, too. And what I should have said about "Graduation March" is that it's the only tune in that genre I know where you play that quarter-note/eighth-note alternating bass; in "United States March" the thumb (in the first ["F"] part) mostly comes on the 1 and 4, if I'm expressing myself clearly. It does lots of weirder stuff in the "C" section.
Sorry about the low-budget quote -- I seem to be having a little Safari trouble.
Chris
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Tennessee Waltz, Daddy Stovepipe, Scott Dunbar perhaps unissued versions?
Waltz Time Candyman, Rev Gary Davis, but on which record?
All the following can be found in the respective artists or label discographies on Stefan's web site:
Daddy Stovepipe released on Blues From Maxwell Street (Heritage LP 1004)
RGD on LP Ragtime Guitar (Transatlantic TRA 244)
Dunbar remains unissued
And whilst here, a couple of post war ones
Jesse Fuller
Down Home Waltz (Lake CD 5024)
Crazy Walz (Folk Lore LP 14006)
Furry Lewis
U.S. Waltz (Rounder LP 2006)
Bugle Waltz (Genes CD)
I won't list the half dozen or so Clifton Chenier waltzes unless required to do so.
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The Mississippi Mud Steppers also did "Farewell Waltz" and "Morning Glory Waltz".
"New Huntsville Jail" - The Two Poor Boys (Joe Evans and Arthur McClain).
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Hi all,
Washington Phillips's recording of "What Are They Doing In Heaven Today? is in 3/4. It seems like hymns might be another category where more 3/4 songs that were recorded will show up.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all
Thank you for your responses! I'm happy to see the list growing much longer than I expected. I had completely missed the MJH waltzes, for example, and I'm thrilled to find out about their existence. Since MJH plays both Spanish Fandango and Goodnight Irene in 4/4 time, I was wondering whether or not he recorded any waltzes. Looks like the Rounder record, "Worried Blues" is a must-have.
The list looks like it could be a wonderful compilation record. I'm certainly going to be bankrupt if I purchase all the records on the list :-X :D.
Keep the suggestions coming!
Cheers
Pan
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Miss The Mississippi And You, Jimmie Rodgers
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Hi all,
Another would be Bill Monroe's "In The Pines". A real oddity is J. E. Mainer's "The Longest Train", which is essentially the same song (as is Peg Leg Howell's "Rolling Mill Blues"), but is played in 3/2 time, so that each measure, instead of being "boom-chang-chang" as in 3/4, is "boom-chang-boom-chang-boom-chang". This is extremely disorienting when you first hear it, especially with the "booms" in a G chord, for instance, landing successively on the sixth, fifth and sixth strings in measure. It's like using a 4/4 feel to play in three. Another place in which this 3/2 rhythmic feel is encountered is in Finnish polskas, so maybe you have heard some of them first-hand, Pan. They are great tunes.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Another would be Bill Monroe's "In The Pines". A real oddity is J. E. Mainer's "The Longest Train", which is essentially the same song (as is Peg Leg Howell's "Rolling Mill Blues"), but is played in 3/2 time, so that each measure, instead of being "boom-chang-chang" as in 3/4, is "boom-chang-boom-chang-boom-chang". This is extremely disorienting when you first hear it, especially with the "booms" in a G chord, for instance, landing successively on the sixth, fifth and sixth strings in measure. It's like using a 4/4 feel to play in three. Another place in which this 3/2 rhythmic feel is encountered is in Finnish polskas, so maybe you have heard some of them first-hand, Pan. They are great tunes.
All best,
Johnm
These would be the same "family" of songs as Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night/ In The Pines/ Black Girl/Black Gal" if I'm not mistaken? They appear to be two different songs originally, but have merged since, if Wikipedia is to be believed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Did_You_Sleep_Last_Night .
I found a small sample of J. E. Mainer's "The Longest Train", but it was too brief to really dig into, so I won't comment on the polska resemblance ( to which I'm no expert) :)
http://www.artistdirect.com/cgi-bin/gx.cgi/AppLogic+Search?select=Songs&searchtype=NormalSearch&start=1&searchstr=Longest+Train
Pan
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Son House: "This War Will Last You For Years", J.D. Short and Son House: Blues from the Mississippi Delta, Folkways Records - FW02467 1963
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I'm Alone Because I Love You, Leadbelly's Last Sessions, Smithsonian Folkways
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These would be the same "family" of songs as Leadbelly's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night/ In The Pines/ Black Girl/Black Gal" if I'm not mistaken? They appear to be two different songs originally, but have merged since, if Wikipedia is to be believed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Where_Did_You_Sleep_Last_Night .
FWIW, this topic is discussed in Norn Cohen's Long Steel Rail (Illinois UP, 1981 p.491-517). It was the subject of a 1970 Illinois University Ph.D thesis by Judy Mculloch (In The Pines: The Melodic-Textual Identity of An American Lyric Folk-Song Cluster) in which she examined 150 or so different variants. For the past 35 years Judy has been a commissioning editor at the UP and responsible for many of the excellent music and folklore books that Illinois UP have published over the decades. But as usual I digress into off topic information...
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FWIW, this topic is discussed in Norn Cohen's Long Steel Rail (Illinois UP, 1981 p.491-517). It was the subject of a 1970 Illinois University Ph.D thesis by Judy Mculloch (In The Pines: The Melodic-Textual Identity of An American Lyric Folk-Song Cluster) in which she examined 150 or so different variants. For the past 35 years Judy has been a commissioning editor at the UP and responsible for many of the excellent music and folklore books that Illinois UP have published over the decades. But as usual I digress into off topic information...
Thanks for the info, BH. As usual, you are being too polite re: your extensive knowledge. I checked and found that her diss is listed as follows:
McCulloh, Judith Marie.
In the Pines: The Melodic-Textual Identity of an American Lyric Folksong Cluster.Ph.D., Folklore, Indiana University, 1970. xi, 651 p.
n.b. The spelling of her surname and the university (Indiana).
http://www.chmtl.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/chmtl/isearchddm?DATABASE=ddmall&SEARCH_TYPE=BOOLEAN&ISEARCH_TERM=02foMccK
A quick check of OCLC/WorldCat shows that she has been involved in many interesting projects as you mentioned.
Your humble servant and occasional fact checker.
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n.b. The spelling of her surname and the university (Indiana).
Your humble servant and occasional fact checker.
Thanks. I was on "automatic pilot" re. the UP in question - well they do both start with the initial 'I' - and had I bothered to read what I posted it might have been spotted! ;D
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"Lonesome Road Blues" by Cryin' Sam Collins iis in 3/4 time. I guess you could dance a waltz to it if you'd like to do so.
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Hi all,
Did Sam Collins record more than one version of "Lonesome Road Blues"? The reason I ask is because the one on the old Yazoo anthology, "Lonesome Road Blues", is in cut time, not 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Lonnie Johnson's enigmatically titled "Nile of Genago" is a waltz. And the Rev. Gary Davis tune from "Angels and Demons" I was trying to remember is "Nobody Cares for Me."
Chris
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Lonnie Johnson's enigmatically titled "Nile of Genago" is a waltz. And the Rev. Gary Davis tune from "Angels and Demons" I was trying to remember is "Nobody Cares for Me."
Chris
Thanks Chris, those were good songs to add on the list. I was already thinking that this thread most naturally has some overlap with JohnM's "Blues Singers Singing Pop and Country Songs" thread http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=83&topic=3071.0,
and your mentioning of "Nile of Genago" sort of confirms this to me :)
Cheers
Pan
Edit: "Nobody Cares for Me", is this the same waltz Mississippi John Hurt does too?
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Harmonica player El Watson recorded a version of "Sweet Bunch of Daisies", which can be found on Great Harp Players (1927-30), Matchbox MSE-209, or V. A.: Fillin' In Blues, Herwin H 205 (thanks to Stefan Wirz ;D).
There seems to be some controversy whether he was black or white?
Pan
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Harmonica player El Watson recorded a version of "Sweet Bunch of Daisies", which can be found on Great Harp Players (1927-30), Matchbox MSE-209, or V. A.: Fillin' In Blues, Herwin H 205 (thanks to Stefan Wirz ;D).
There seems to be some controversy whether he was black or white?
As far back as 1970 Tony Russell pointed out that Ralph Peer's Bristol trip included racially integrated sessions one of which was black hamonica player, El Watson, accompanied by old-timey musician Charles Johnson of Johnson Brothers repute.
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David Evans recorded Babe Stovall (http://www.wirz.de/music/stovall.htm) doing "Sweet Bunch Of Daisies" -- Rounder 2009 (1970) = Albatros VPA 8392 (1979) (thanks to Stefan Wirz ;) ).
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Edit: "Nobody Cares for Me", is this the same waltz Mississippi John Hurt does too?
Not quite, the Rev.'s is much bluesier. Also I seem to remember another Rev. Gary Davis tune called "Tempie" or "Tippy" or something like that on one of the Stefan Grossman tapes. I can't remember if that's a waltz, but he sings it in this ridiculous "crying" voice. Also, on the version of "Let Us Get Together" on "Angels and Demons" (Vol. 2 I think), he prefaces the song with a long, comical introduction, sung also in a "crying" voice, making fun of a church sister who's unhappy -- it starts "I'm going to trust in the Lord..." -- anyway, that's in waltz time too.
Chris
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Parlor Picker started a thread on the British bluesman, Roger Hubbard on "Performance Corner":
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=114&topic=3466.msg26505#new
Following Prof. Scratchy's advice I post his very beautiful waltz, "No Bed of Roses" on this thread too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1SkhSy4ywg
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all,
I recently remembered a great tune in 3/4 by the brilliant St. Louis pianist Wesley Wallace. It is his "No. 29", a train instrumental with spoken narration like Blind Blake's "Seaboard Stomp" or "Southern Rag", and it is included on the JSP set from a couple of years ago, "The Paramount Masters".
Wallace was always spoken of by musicians who knew him with the deepest respect for his musicianship, and I can see why. On "No. 29" he does something I have never heard done before, walking a boogie bass six-to-the-bar, and occasionally breaking out of the boogie feel for treble runs or programmatic effects. The song sounds like it was performed completely on the fly, for Wallace doesn't maintain anything like a consistent form or bar structure, and he avoids the V7 chord altogether. In many ways, I find his brand of improvisatory musicianship, maintaining a constant flowing groove behind a spoken commentary, more impressive and mysterious than a more controlled and worked-out approach would be. Wallace's commentary is also excellent and quite interesting in its own right.
This one is worth seeking out. Wesley Wallace was really a piece of work.
All best,
Johnm
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This one is worth seeking out. Wesley Wallace was really a piece of work.
For those interested by Johnm's post, the complete recorded works of Wesley Wallace are on the Juke.
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Hi all,
I recently remembered a great tune in 3/4 by the brilliant St. Louis pianist Wesley Wallace. It is his "No. 29", a train instrumental with spoken narration like Blind Blake's "Seaboard Stomp" or "Southern Rag", and it is included on the JSP set from a couple of years ago, "The Paramount Masters".
Wallace was always spoken of by musicians who knew him with the deepest respect for his musicianship, and I can see why. On "No. 29" he does something I have never heard done before, walking a boogie bass six-to-the-bar, and occasionally breaking out of the boogie feel for treble runs or programmatic effects. The song sounds like it was performed completely on the fly, for Wallace doesn't maintain anything like a consistent form or bar structure, and he avoids the V7 chord altogether. In many ways, I find his brand of improvisatory musicianship, maintaining a constant flowing groove behind a spoken commentary, more impressive and mysterious than a more controlled and worked-out approach would be. Wallace's commentary is also excellent and quite interesting in its own right.
My first experience of hearing this number was on a 1966 Sam Charters compilation entitled Piano Blues (RBF12) in the booklet to which he wrote:
"Wesley Wallace is one of the most interesting of the early blues pianists, but despite efforts by a number of people there is still nothing known about him. His "Number 29" is a brilliant personal variant on the train themes that were popular among early boogie players. The bass rhythm is an unaccented 6/4, (not 3/4 as was suggested in a recent article - the pattern begins at the ascending notes and ends with the lowest tone, repeating without hesitation) and the right hand is involved with rhythms that suggest 4/4 as well as a 6/4 that doesn't coincide with the rhythm of the bass."
The "recent article" alluded to by Charters was by Paul Oliver (Jazz Monthly, Jan 1961) which quoted Little Brother Montgomery's recollections of Wallace to Francis Smith (as he then was) in an interview conducted in 1960. Can't for the life of me recall whether LBM reproted anything of significance concerning Wallace but if so I may post here.
Wallace was also the subject of Bob Hall & Richard Noblett's 1975 Blues Unlimited series, "A Handful of Keys".
Apologies for hijacking the discussion in this manner.
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Thanks for the quote, Bunker Hill. Despite Charters' assertions, I would contend that Wesley Wallace played "No. 29" in a straight-up-and-down 3/4 meter accented "1-and-2-and-3-and", not in 6/4. In order to justify analyzing Wallace's meter as being 6/4, one would similarly have to notate conventional boogie bass lines (eight-to-the-bar) as being in 8/4, rather than 4/4. And nobody does that.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
I recently noticed that Richard "Rabbit" Brown's songs, "Mystery of the Dunbar's Child" and "Sinking of the Titanic" are both in 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Libba Cotten's rendition of the hymn, "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling" is played in 3/4 time in Spanish tuning. It's from her "Shake Sugaree" album.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
On the new JSP set, "Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell, Volume 1", I discovered a really pretty Pop song in 3/4 that Leroy sings, "Let's Make Up and Be Friends Again". Leroy does this song without Scrapper and delivers it in his best Pop crooner style. It's a beauty if any of you like songs in that style and are looking for a more obscure one to cover.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Washington Phillips' song "Paul And Silas In Jail" is in a quick 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
The Blind Willie Johnson song "If It Had Not Been For Jesus" is in 3/4, and is additionally unusual in that Blind Willie's female singing partner carries the lead vocal role on the verses.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Oops, I just realized we had missed the most obvious 3/4 tune from Leadbelly: "Irene".
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Oops, I just realized we had missed the most obvious 3/4 tune from Leadbelly: "Irene".
All best,
Johnm
Hi Johnm,
I have the song listed as "Goodnight Irene" (thus in "G", instead of "I", in the alphabetical order).
Can you (or anyone else) suggest a good Leadbelly recording of the song to be listed along with the title?
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I'm sorry, Pan, I did a sloppy job of reading the list. There are a couple of good versions on Leadbelly's "Last Sessions".
all best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Philip McCutcheon, the extremely eccentric (and that's being charitable) Cedar Creek Sheik, did "Watch the Fords Go By" in 3/4. I've been meaning to do a thread devoted to his lyrics and hope to get started on it soon.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Oops, I just realized we had missed the most obvious 3/4 tune from Leadbelly: "Irene".
All best,
Johnm
Hi Johnm,
I have the song listed as "Goodnight Irene" (thus in "G", instead of "I", in the alphabetical order).
Can you (or anyone else) suggest a good Leadbelly recording of the song to be listed along with the title?
I can't suggest the following as a "good" Leadbelly recording, because the sound quality is pretty bad, but probably my favorite version of Irene is found on "Midnight Special - Library of Congress Recordings Volume 1" on Rounder. Lead does a lot of talking in it, explaining the story. It's pretty great. I recall the Penguin Guide recommending Document over Rounder for Leadbelly's Library of Congress recordings because (relative) sound quality but am not sure which volume it's on. The track is 4:42 long if anyone feels like searching for it.
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Two more from what is essentially the Mississippi Sheiks:
Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers - Dear Little Girl
Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers - Sheiks Special
Both instrumentals - fiddle accompanied by two guitars
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There is the Tommy Johnson test pressing which I think is called "I Want Someone to Love me", which is essentially a Jimmie Rogers inspired yodeling tune.
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There is the Tommy Johnson test pressing which I think is called "I Want Someone to Love me", which is essentially a Jimmie Rogers inspired yodeling tune.
Hi Cambio.
I have the song listed. The song apparently made some purist blues fans wish that it had never been found :D.
There is some discussion on it on this thread: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?amp;Itemid=128&topic=3524.0
I've also read somewhere that Muddy Waters' string band performed waltzes for the (maybe white?) dance audience in the Stovall plantation. They were probably never recorded?
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Hi all,
Emry Arthur's "In The Heart of the City That Has No Heart" is in 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Seems to me that Blind Roger Hays' "I Must Be Blind, I Can Not See" is in 3/4 too. It's on DOCD-5106, Sinners and Saints, the CD with Pink Anderson and Lonnie Coleman.
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Seems to me that Blind Roger Hays' "I Must Be Blind, I Can Not See" is in 3/4 too. It's on DOCD-5106, Sinners and Saints, the CD with Pink Anderson and Lonnie Coleman.
Thanks mr mando, I'll add it to the list.
You can listen to the song at: http://fakingit.typepad.com/faking_it/2007/02/whats_it_like_t.html
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Hi all,
On the John Hurt "Library of Congress Recordings, volume 2" he does two songs in 3/4 not previously listed here, "Waiting for You" and "Looking This Way".
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
On the John Hurt "Library of Congress Recordings, volume 2" he does two songs in 3/4 not previously listed here, "Waiting for You" and "Looking This Way".
All best,
Johnm
Hi Johnm and thank you again.
I added "Looking This Way" to the list.
We do have "Waiting for You" listed as a "Last Sessions, Vanguard" recording. Since I personally have neither of them, could you (or anyone ?) clarify if this is a different take from the "Library of Congress" one? Of course, all of them should be listed, but I'd like to be clear, if there are numerous takes? Otherwise, maybe we should just list both recordings after the title without further comments?
I must get around to check these recordings, thanks for the reminder!
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan - They are indeed two different recordings.
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Hi Pan - They are indeed two different recordings.
Thanks uncle bud -I added the info on the list.
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Sorry to be slow getting back to you about the take of "Waiting For You" on the John Hurt Library of Congress recordings, and thanks, uncle bud, for answering Pan's question. Incidentally, I think it's great, Pan, the way you have included discographical information on the various songs in 3/4 in the list. It makes the information offered there considerably more complete and the list of greater value as a result. I wish we had done that with some of the other "list" threads, like "Adventures in Spanish", "Adventures in Vestapol", and others of that ilk. Good work!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
The great Old-Time religious singer, Alfred Karnes, recorded "Where We'll Never Grow Old" and "When They Ring the Golden Bells", both of which he played in 3/4. Both songs can be found on the JSP set, "Mountain Gospel".
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
On the recently released "Rev. Gary Davis--Live at Gerde's Folk City, February, 1962" 3-CD set put out by Stefan Grossman's Guitar Workshop, Rev. Davis does two songs in 3/4 not previously put on the list, I think. They are "Soon My Work Will All Be Done", played out of G position, and a very unusual version of "I Am A Pilgrim", played in E minor.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
A couple of songs in 3/4 turned up on recent purchases I made from Document:
* "Lightening [sic] Express"--Frank Hutchison
* "In A Cool Shady Nook"--Sam McGee
All best,
Johnm
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Not to mention the first part of Sam McGee's "Knoxville Blues," which in later years I believe he recorded separately as "Guitar Waltz" and "Little Texas Waltz."
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Thanks guys, I'm glad to see this thread re-surface and grow from time to time!
Here's the Knoxville Rag, banjochris mentions above:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zpexpe6u88
Cheers
Pan
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I might be stating the obvious here, but most of the early versions of "The House Of The Rising Sun" appear to be done in waltz time.
Clarence Ashley did a very nice version:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82xw4TuNwdI
I suspect the Georgia Turner version could be seen as a waltz too, although without an accompaniment it is a bit hard to say:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15VIDcUMQQI
And of course Leadbelly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbCJtxEFlSA
Got any additions?
Cheers
Pan
Edited to add: Apparently the song was also known as "Rising Sun Blues", and in Leadbelly's case "In New Orleans", which adds to the confusion of the origins of the song. Leadbelly apparently recorded several versions, and not all in waltz time.
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Gayle Dean Wardlow posted on the Blindmans' Blues Forum to say that Roy Acuff recorded the Rising Sun in November 1938 for Vocalion.
You can hear it at 2:37 on this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UipkTPGIOm4&feature=fvst
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all,
"Henry Lee" and "One Cold December Day", both recorded by Dick Justice, are both in 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Furry Lewis' The Bugle Song is in 3/4:
Furry Lewis - The Bugle Song (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRp45MC0FZo#)
Cheers
Pan
Edited to add: I guess this is the same song as "Bugle Waltz", which we already have listed?
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Hi all,
Rev. Edward W. Clayborn's hymn, "Death Is Only A Dream", was played in waltz time.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
I just learned from the Joseph Spence thread ( http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=944.0 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=944.0) ), that his tune "Oh How I Love Jesus" is in waltz time.
Cheers
Pan
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As is his "There Will Be a Happy Meeting in Glory Some Day."
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As is his "There Will Be a Happy Meeting in Glory Some Day."
Thanks, banjochris!
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Dock Walsh's version of "In The Pines" is a waltz.
Dock Walsh - "In The Pines" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REJFzgfpD7E#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Apart from Leadbelly, Tom Darby and Jimmie Tarlton also did "Birmingham Jail".
Darby & Tarlton-Birmingham Jail (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQuQtBqNsCI#)
Leadbelly - Birmingham Jail (Down in the valley) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Fnpx6MspBI#noexternalembed)
Cheers
Pan
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Howard Armstrong & Ted Bogan did a fun version of an old german folksong "Du, Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen":
Du, Du Liechst Mir Im Herzen - Howard Armstrong & Ted Bogan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rfldm0ZEQIM#)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
I just came across "Penitentiary Blues", a waltz tune by Jimmie Davis, the "singing governor of Louisiana".
This tune from 1930 probably has black musicians Ed Schaffer and Oscar Woods backing him up on guitars, according to Dixon & Godrich.
A snippet can be heard at: http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/midnight-blues-1929-1933-mr0000608284 (http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/midnight-blues-1929-1933-mr0000608284)
Cheers
Pan
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I am amazed how unwaltz like they are. On close inspection it is obvious but most people could rock out to these songs and often miss out on the fact that they are waltz numbers :D
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Hi all
Jimmie Rodgers' beautiful "Prairie Lullaby" (written by Billy Hill) is in waltz time.
Jimmie Rodgers - Prairie Lullaby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uFe-JVMMWo#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all,
Dock Boggs' post-rediscovery recording of "Old Joe's Barroom" is in waltz time, as are his renditions of "No Disappointment In Heaven" and "Papa, Build Me A Boat".
All best,
Johnm
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"Dying Ranger," too.
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Thank you Johnm and Chris.
I added the songs to the list.
Dock Boggs - Old Joe's Barroom (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZkgq-8PGKU#)
Papa, papa, build me a boat - Dock Boggs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0sIAegji2Q#)
http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=35622 (http://www.folkways.si.edu/TrackDetails.aspx?itemid=35622)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Dock Boggs' version of "Roses While I'm Living" is also a waltz.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
Dock Boggs' version of "Roses While I'm Living" is also a waltz.
All best,
Johnm
Thanks John! I added it to the list.
Cheers
Pan
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more from what is essentially the Mississippi Sheiks:
Walter Jacobs and the Carter Brothers - Dear Little Girl
A very nice tune! Interesting, how they double the tempo, and switch to a 2/4 rhythm in middle of the song!
Mississippi Sheiks - Dear Little Girl (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW7wS8P9o7I#)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Roosevelt Sykes' song "3-6, & 9" appears to be in 6/8 time. I guess this, along with Wesley Wallace's "No 29", which Johnm posted earlier, are the only boogie woogie type of tunes on this thread, so far.
3-6, & 9 Roosevelt Sykes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEm93LxSoMM#)
Cheers
Pan
Edited to add: as Johnm below points out, the songs time is irregular, not in 6/8.
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Hi Pan,
I had never heard Roosevelt Sykes' "3-6 & 9" before, and it's a wild one. Doesn't it seem like his meter is variable, especially in the last four bars, but also in his return to the I chord after the IV chord in the second phrase? He's also not the same from verse to verse. This one is eccentric, for sure, and probably inimitable, except to prove a point.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
I had never heard Roosevelt Sykes' "3-6 & 9" before, and it's a wild one. Doesn't it seem like his meter is variable, especially in the last four bars, but also in his return to the I chord after the IV chord in the second phrase? He's also not the same from verse to verse. This one is eccentric, for sure, and probably inimitable, except to prove a point.
All best,
Johnm
Hi Johnm
Re-listening the song I think you are right. I sure do have a hard time trying to keep track with the song! Someone suggested that it might be in waltz time, and I managed to hear it like this for a moment. :-\ Thanks for the correction.
Cheers
Pan
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I sure do have a hard time trying to keep track with the song!
Pan
You and me, both, Pan! I didn't mean to correct you, but just to say that in addition to those clear measures of six, Roosevelt Sykes is mixing in a lot of stuff that is not nearly so clear.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all
Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded Maurice Rogers' beautiful waltz "God and Man", on their 1973 studio album "Sonny & Brownie". Not exactly pre-war blues, maybe, but still nice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSlQ0HfFQw (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GSlQ0HfFQw)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_&_Brownie (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_&_Brownie)
Cheers
Pan
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According to Dixon & Godrich, The Carver Boys were a white old time group, who did one record for the paramount's "race" series, and others on their "old time" series. Here's a nice little waltz they did, called "I'm Anchored In Love Divine".
On a side note, Josh White appeared as the guitarist, in their 1929 tune "Wang Wang Harmonica Blues", which I posted yesterday on the YouTube thread.
The Carver Boys - I'm Anchored In Love Divine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V98FA1gmTYo#)
http://www.yazoorecords.com/2014.htm (http://www.yazoorecords.com/2014.htm)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Grayson and Whitter's "Rose Conley" is a nice murder ballad in waltz time. Can you say "nice" in the same sentence as "murder"? Maybe on a Halloween night you can?
Grayson & Whitter - Rose Conley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9HjllAe9oI#)
Cheers
Pan
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Another murder ballad in waltz time is Charlie Monroe's "Down in the Willow Garden".
Down in the Willow Garden - Charlie Monroe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_cwpACgVPY#)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
The North Carolina Hawaiians (a group of unknown musicians) recorded their "Wednesday Night Waltz" in 1928. The tune starts as a waltz, but turns to a double-tempo 4/4 halfway through.
North Carolina Hawaiians Wednesday Night Waltz (OKEH 45248) (1928) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46teI4d4ysA#)
Cheers
Pan
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* "In A Cool Shady Nook"--Sam McGee
Here it is, freshly on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCznz7kCd3U (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCznz7kCd3U)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Furry Lewis does "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" in 3/4 on the Blues Horizon double CD set he shares with Joe Callicott.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
Furry Lewis does "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" in 3/4 on the Blues Horizon double CD set he shares with Joe Callicott.
All best,
Johnm
Thank you John! I'll add him on the list!
Furry Lewis - Let Me Call You Sweetheart (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGLww5d_4Nc#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Dock Boggs played his "Lost Love Blues" in 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
Dock Boggs played his "Lost Love Blues" in 3/4.
All best,
Johnm
Thanks John, I added it to the list.
Cheers
Pan
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Hi All
Scott Dunbar also did a version of "Goodnight Irene", in waltz time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MtoX66nW4o&list=FL2l894iFLagnet1pk0nWk7Q (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MtoX66nW4o&list=FL2l894iFLagnet1pk0nWk7Q)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
I just wanted to let you know, that I've made a playlist on YouTube, with many of the songs mentioned in this thread.
Obviously, YouTube doesn't have all the songs in the list, but surprisingly many could be found!
I hope some of you will find this useful. I will edit the list when I remember - YT videos keep appearing and disappearing, so a playlist is more useful, than dying links on a thread, I think.
I, for one, hadn't already heard all the tunes on the playlist, and there's some really great music to be discovered.
I'll add the link to the playlist, to the bottom of my first post on page 1, so it'll be easily accessible, whenever you might like to check up on a tune. Please note, that the YouTube link isn't necessarily the same take, as the recording mentioned on the original list.
Cheers
Pan
Oh, I almost forgot the link :)
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEJV1lNKyyU2DjdjwKfNNDXiwVhbwWBQ&feature=mh_lolz (http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNEJV1lNKyyU2DjdjwKfNNDXiwVhbwWBQ&feature=mh_lolz)
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Hi all
Here's the Woodie Brothers' "Likes Likker Better Than Me (Brown-Eyed Boy)", from 1931. Thanks to Stefan Wirz!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEseNPEThqw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEseNPEThqw#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Tarlton & Darby also did a version of "In The Pines", called "Lonesome In The Pines".
Lonesome in the Pines - Tarlton & Darby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzMZowo4gmY#)
Cheers
Pan
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Houston, we have a problem! :o
As I edited the songlist on my first post on page 1, I wanted to type separate entries for the different names for the songs in the "In the Pines" family. As I did so, I encountered a message, that I'm exceeding the 15 000 words a post can have, and that my update couldn't be made.
I then removed those entries, but, in the very near future I won't be able to update the list anymore! >:(
What to do? Is there a way to exceed the word count on a post? Or to insert another post right after the first one, and share the text between the two? Or should I prune the recording information away?
On a more positive note, I never expected to encounter this kind of problem, when I started this thread a long time ago! :)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Let me extend the message limit - it seems the most logical and easiest thing to do!
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Hi Pan,
Let me extend the message limit - it seems the most logical and easiest thing to do!
Could you do that? That would be fantastic! Thank you so much, Slack!
Cheers
Pan
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It's done, have at it!
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:-*
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
I have a few questions to those who might have heard or possess the LP "Various ? Indianapolis Jump", Flyright Records ? FLY LP 523.
http://www.discogs.com/Various-Indianapolis-Jump/release/3712814 (http://www.discogs.com/Various-Indianapolis-Jump/release/3712814)
Is the Bertha Lee Jones track "Spanish Blues" related to the song "Spanish Fandango"?
Is the tune played in waltz time?
Who is backing her up? Is it possibly Scrapper Blackwell, as this site might suggest?
http://184.168.105.185/archivegrid/collection/data/19497457 (http://184.168.105.185/archivegrid/collection/data/19497457)
The album seems to be out of print a long time ago. It's on sale at Amazon for $595.00, so hopefully you'll excuse me, if I don't find out myself. :)
http://www.amazon.com/Indianapolis-recorded-Rosenbaum-Scrapper-Blackwell/dp/B003DVI77Q (http://www.amazon.com/Indianapolis-recorded-Rosenbaum-Scrapper-Blackwell/dp/B003DVI77Q)
Cheers and thank you
Pan
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I have the record and its booklet but temporarily without a turntable to play it - on loan would you believe!
However, the booklet says guitarist is Bertha herself and she's described as "completely in the style of Bill Carlisle"!
Rosenbaum apparently had one "informal" recording session with her, the introduction being made by Scrapper Blackwell.
If needs be I can take the LP to whom I loaned the deck but I'm sure someone will come up with the answer to question one.
(Late thought)I bet in the meantime somebody here referred to RBF! Must curb my urge to post.
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Thank you, Bunker Hill.
Cheers
Pan
Edited to add: you'd better not loan that album to anyone!
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I don't know about completely in the style of Carlisle, but it sounds like she might have heard Lead Belly or someone playing Poor Howard at some point. Refer to attached.
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Thanks Uncle Bud, for solving the mystery of many years! :)
I can now safely remove the last question mark from the list, as the tune is clearly not played in waltz time (as is often the case with versions of Spanish Fandango).
As a side note, I assume we are not talking about the Bertha Lee Jones associated with Charlie Patton, are we? I couldn't find much about her on the internet.
Cheers
Pan
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As a side note, I assume we are not talking about the Bertha Lee Jones associated with Charlie Patton, are we? I couldn't find much about her on the internet.
Cheers
Pan
The entry for Patton's wife in the Eagle/LeBlanc magnum opus reads:
Bertha Lee Patton (Bertha Lee Pate) (v) (Flora, Madison County, June 17, 1902?[Birtha Lee Joiner] St.
Anthony?s Hospital, Chicago, Illinois, May 10, 1975). Daughter of Nels Pate and Ella Johnson, wife of Charlie (Charley)Patton. Burial at Restvale Cemetery, Worth.
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Here is one for the list, Pan. It is Arizona Dranes' "He Is My Story".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfayAUVI6kw (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfayAUVI6kw#ws)
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John, I added it to the list.
And thanks, Bunker Hill, for the information on Bertha Lee Patton.
Cheers
Pan
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Had a quick scan through and didn't see this mentioned, but Willie McTell recorded (3 times I believe) the song 'Pal o' Mine' which was written as a waltz entitled 'Call Me Back Pal O' Mine' An original 1922 copy of the sheet music sold recently on eBay. Whether McTell plays it as a waltz I'm not sure, but playing it as he did worked great on an acoustic guitar for a dance, hence my opinion that he probably did.
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Had a quick scan through and didn't see this mentioned, but Willie McTell recorded (3 times I believe) the song 'Pal o' Mine' which was written as a waltz entitled 'Call Me Back Pal O' Mine' An original 1922 copy of the sheet music sold recently on eBay. Whether McTell plays it as a waltz I'm not sure, but playing it as he did worked great on an acoustic guitar for a dance, hence my opinion that he probably did.
Hi StoogeKebab
Thanks for the suggestion
However, the versions I could find are not in waltz time. But thanks of reminding me of a very nice tune anyway!
Blind Willie McTell - Pal Of Mine [Tk. 1] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2_tAOkxJNg#ws)
Blind Willie McTell - Pal Of Mine [Tk. 2] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Q06EgsFfQg#ws)
'Pal Of Mine' BLIND WILLIE McTELL (1949) Blues Guitar Legend (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4_I027OYT4#)
Cheers
Pan
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Here's one for your thread, Pan, in what must be a very rare combination for a waltz: quills and drum, by Sid Hemphill and a drummer I don't know the name of, doing the popular song of the 1890s, "After the Ball". Wow!
Sid Hemphill - After The Ball Is Over (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1u7ElL2xyl4#ws)
EDITED TO ADD: I realized this may be a fife playing the melody rather than quills. That seems like it might be more likely.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks, John, added to the list.
That certainly is the first one of it's kind on this thread!
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Jimmie Rodgers did his "Pistol Packin' Papa", in July 1st, 1930, in waltz time.
PISTOL PACKING PAPA by JIMMIE RODGERS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa_a7cUjC4o#)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all,
Here are a couple of good ones, thanks to Stefan Wirz.
Violinist Reese Jarvis recorded 2 instrumental waltzes with Dick Justice on guitar, on May 20th, 1929. They are really pretty.
"Guian Valley Waltz"
Dick Justice & Reese Jarvis - Guian Valley Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eMNJhHbbC4#ws)
and "Poor Girl's Waltz"
Justice & Jarvis - Poor Girl's Waltz (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLVXDlUHirM#)
The search function revealed that JohnM also mentions the tunes on the "Favourite Recording Sessions" thread: http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4784.msg37671#msg37671 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=4784.msg37671#msg37671)
To see the original Brunswick label, check out Stefan's illustrated discography: http://www.wirz.de/music/justifrm.htm (http://www.wirz.de/music/justifrm.htm)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
The Cartwright Brothers did their "San Antonio (Waltz)" in 1929, according to "randomandrare" on YouTube:
Cartwright Brothers San Antonio (Waltz) (VICTOR V-40147) (1929) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkKv-G6Sqe0#)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all
Riley Puckett recorded "Rock All Our Babies To Sleep" in 1924:
Rock All Our Babies To Sleep - Riley Puckett (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib2xz8w2L9s#ws)
Jimmie Rodgers did the tune too, in 1932:
Rock All Our Babies To Sleep by Jimmie Rodgers (1932) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgKn1E35P3M#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Harmonica player El Watson recorded a version of "Sweet Bunch of Daisies", which can be found on Great Harp Players (1927-30), Matchbox MSE-209, or V. A.: Fillin' In Blues, Herwin H 205 (thanks to Stefan Wirz ;D).
There seems to be some controversy whether he was black or white?
As far back as 1970 Tony Russell pointed out that Ralph Peer's Bristol trip included racially integrated sessions one of which was black hamonica player, El Watson, accompanied by old-timey musician Charles Johnson of Johnson Brothers repute.
And here he is, on YouTube:
El Watson- Sweet Bunch Of Daisies (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRvmhDE-Khc#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
I found a nice one, "I Must Be Blind, I Cannot See", by Blind Roger Hays. He accompanied himself on guitar and played really pretty harmonica off of a rack.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
I found a nice one, "I Must Be Blind, I Cannot See", by Blind Roger Hays. He accompanied himself on guitar and played really pretty harmonica off of a rack.
All best,
Johnm
Thanks John. It's a nice one for sure.
Here's a link to the song on Spotify, for those who have access to it:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5hNGOjK3S2WwqWEGZFNbAZ
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Moses Mason's "Go Wash in the Beautiful Stream" is in waltz time. Here is his performance:
Go Wash in the Beautiful Stream - GOSPEL - Rev. Moses Mason (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUkLbyUeE8c#)
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John, I added it to the list.
Cheers
Pan
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Hi all.
Here's Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton doing "Come Take A Trip In My Airship", a popular tune from 1904, if I'm not mistaken. Sweet!
Jerron "Blind Boy" Paxton - Come Take A Trip In My Airship (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaDdlblJkD4#ws)
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
The Allen Brothers "Unlucky Man" is a waltz.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi Pan,
The Allen Brothers "Unlucky Man" is a waltz.
All best,
Johnm
Indeed! Thanks, John, I added it to the list.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbSdRdiujDo
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Dorsey Dixon's "Babies in the Mill" is in waltz time. Here it is:
https://youtu.be/80CBggcgq0w
INTRO
I used to be a factory hand, when things were moving slow
When children worked in cotton mills, each morning had to go
Every morning, just at five, the whistle blew on time
And called them babies out of bed at the age of eight and nine
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep
The children all grew up unlearned, they never went to school
They never learned to read and write, but learned to spin and spool
Every time I close my eyes, I see that picture still
When textile work was carried on with babies in the mill
SOLO
To their jobs, those little ones was strictly forced to go
Those babies had to be on time through rain and sleet and snow
Many times, when things went wrong their bosses often frowned
Many times, those little ones was kicked and shoved around
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep
Old-timer, can't you see that scene, back through the years gone by?
Those babies all went on the job, the same as you and I
I know you're glad that things have changed, for we have lots of fun
As we go in and do the jobs that babies used to run
REFRAIN: Come out of bed, little sleepyheads, and get you a bite to eat
The factory whistle's calling you, there's no more time to sleep
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John, I added it to our list.
What a great song that is, with a harrowing set of lyrics!
Pan
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Hi Pan,
I agree with you about the song--it expresses a point with such clarity and simplicity and sympathy. That's not easy to do! It's good to have reminders occasionally that the good old days weren't so good for everybody.
All best,
Johnm
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Dorsey Dixon was a wonderful songwriter. Of course probably his most famous song, "Wreck on the Highway"/"I Didn't Hear Nobody Pray" is also a waltz, and has an equally uncompromising set of lyrics.
https://youtu.be/d43g8unp7Wk
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Another good one, thanks, Chris!
Apparently the song was originally titled "I didn't hear Anybody Pray", before Roy Acuff made a hit out of it with the new title (resulting in a copyright dispute).
The Dixon Brothers also recorded the song in 1938 with Howard Dixon on lap steel and vocal harmonies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-WI4-UAwsA
Cheers
Pan
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Hi Pan,
Uncle Dave Macon's "All In Down And Out Blues" is in waltz time. Here it is:
https://youtu.be/vsPtKT7W-LQ
And it's hippity-hop to the bucket shop
I've lost all my money, and now I have flopped
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
Well, this is the truth and it certainly exposes
Wall Street proposition was not all roses
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
I put up my money to win some more
I lost all I had and it left me so sore
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
I thought I would drink to wear it off
Bootleg's so high that it's left me worse off
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
If they catch you with the whiskey in your car
You're handicapped, and there you are
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
They'll take you to jail and if you can't make bond
Content you'll sit there, boy, you're certainly at home
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
I've got no silver and I've got not gold
I'm almost naked and it done turned cold
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
You ask that judge to treat you well
You offer hundred dollars, he'll send you to Atlanta
REFRAIN: It's hard time, pitiful, boy, it's hard time
When you down and out
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks John, I added it to the list!
Cheers,
Pan
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Hi all,
I came by this video of Bela Lam (Zanddervon Beliah Lamb), and his family, singing "Poor Little Benny", with his own banjo accompaniment.
A rare film of early banjo playing, I think. Perhaps the banjo playing members can comment more on his playing style?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJbdiDhjLug
Cheers,
Pan