Hi dj, Thanks for your suggestion for "Dirty Deal Blues", and I'm sorry to be slow responding. It all sounds right to me, except I'm hearing another word that begins with a "b" sound falling here in the line: Because since you [b-------] who you are, babe, Are you hearing that "b" sound there? It almost sounds like it could be "bought", which doesn't really make sense. What do you think? All best, Johnm
Hi All This is my first post but since I've got loads of info from you guys I thought I'd give this a shot and try to give something back. I'm definately hearing "WHO YOU ARE BABE" at the end. The word before sounds like it might be "ABOUT". My best shot at the moment is something like "BECAUSE SINCE THINK ABOUT WHO YOU ARE BABE", but I'm not sure about the 'SINCE' or the 'THINK'! All the best, Ned
Anyone try slowing this one down? He runs the words together so fast that I'm tempted to think that it may be a flub and correction on the fly--and not necessarily a clear correction. Although I don't hear it clearly, "no matter" might fit between "since" and "who you are." And I hear "make" for "maybe," but that doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Yes, as a matter of fact. Slowing it down to 75% of recorded speed let me hear clearly how many syllables there are in the phrase in question, and got the phrase slow enough that I could sing along to try to match the sounds. Doing this for a while makes me think that the last line of Dirty Deal Blues is
"Because SINCE YOU'RE GLAD OF WHO YOU ARE BABE , MAN, my woman 'LL reap rotten SEED"
This not only fits the sounds coming out of Wilkins' mouth but makes sense in the context of the song. And speeding the phrase back up to recorded speed, it still sounds right to me.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2012, 04:05:55 AM by dj »
Thanks, dj. That's a mouthful, as the old saying goes--to say the least. Those "sped up" RJ 78s have nothing on Robert Wilkins' played at normal speed!
Thanks for working that out, dj. Boy, as Stuart noted, Robert Wilkins really spat that line out. I will make the change. Incidentally, with that line, we have transcribed all of Robert Wilkins' pre-60s recorded lyrics. Thanks to everybody who helped in that endeavor. All best, Johnm
Incidentally, with that line, we have transcribed all of Robert Wilkins' pre-60s recorded lyrics. Thanks to everybody who helped in that endeavor. All best, Johnm
Hi all, Robert Wilkins recorded a striking version of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee" on his Piedmont LP, his first recordings after his re-discovery. Melodically and chordally, his version is nothing like the New Orleans, Trad Jazz treatment that is most often played. Rev. Wilkins' version has a strong mixolydian modal sound with its first change. His progression is as follows:
| G | G | F | F |
| D | D | G | G |
| C | C | C | C |
| G | G | G | G |
I don't know the lyrics of the New Orleans version of the song well enough to know how different Rev. Wilkins' lyrics were (or if they are different).
REFRAIN: Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking, close with Thee Oh, let it be, Dear Lord, let it be
I am weak but thou art strong Jesus keeps me from all wrong I'll be satisfied and long As I walk, let me walk close with Thee
Through this world of toils and snares If I fall, the Lord who cares Who with me and my burden shares None but Thee, Dear Lord, none but Thee
REFRAIN: Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close with me Oh, let it be, Dear Lord, let it be
When my feeble life is over Time for me won't be no more Guide me gently safely over To Thou kingdom shore, to thou shore
REFRAIN: Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close with Thee Oh, let it be, Dear Lord, let it be
REFRAIN: Just a closer walk with Thee Grant it, Jesus, if you please Daily walking close with Thee Oh, let it be, Dear Lord, let it be
All best, Johnm
« Last Edit: July 07, 2020, 09:46:06 AM by Johnm »
John, that bit with the question mark in the usual lyrics (which I think are pretty much what Wilkins sings) should be "as long" -- been a while since I've listened to this version, maybe he stumbles a bit. Chris
It's been years since I played this one, but on the recording the guitar(s) sound close to A440. As John wrote, it's played out of the G position, but the high note on the 1st string sounds like A, so my guess is there's a capo on the 2nd fret. --Maybe
Hi all, I just added links to all of the recorded performances of Robert Wilkins transcribed in this thread, which contains all of his pre-War recordings and a couple from his rediscovery period. Enjoy. All best, Johnm