The piano may do for lovesick girls who lace themselves to skeletons, and lunch on chalk, pickles, and slate pencils. But give me the banjo... When you want genuine music - music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whiskey . . . ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose - when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo! - Mark Twain, Early Tales and Sketches, Vol 2 (1864-65)
I came by this interview of W.C. Handy, made for the library of congress in 1938 by Alan Lomax. Apart from speaking, Handy plays guitar and sings quite a few tunes too. I found them somewhat interesting, compared to his instrumental march band arrangements, that I had only previously heard.
Great! Some really interesting storytelling and history from Handy.
And if you've really only heard instrumental versions of Handy's songs, I recommend you listen to the album Louis Armstrong plays W.C. Handy which is available from Amazon.com for only 4.99 (US dollars).
According to the B&G, Handy sang on two commercial recordings as well, with his orchestra.
Thanks Pan. What is the B&G? (I have a feeling I might be embarassing myself with this question.)
I enjoyed the additional recordings of "Loveless Love" from W.C. Handy and his daughter. I love the opening line "Love is like a hydrant."
According to Francis Davis's book The History of the Blues, Handy recorded an LP of his music in 1953 when he was almost 80 years old and completely blind. It was titled Blues Revisited: A Unique Series of Authentic Performances by the Legendary W.C. Handy and was on the Heritage label. Davis describes it as offering "utterly charming interpretations of "Memphis Blues," "St. Louis Blues," and others of his most famous songs, accompanying himself on guitar and trumpet on a few of them." The liner notes to the Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy album describes Heritage's Handy album as a recording of Handy in conversation and performance. It goes on to say that the "recording has remained unknown except to a handful of collectors." It would be great if some label would re-issue it.
Sorry, I was being lazy. By the B&G I meant "Blues & Gospel Records 1890-1943, 4th edition, compiled by Robert M.W. Dixon, John Godrich, and Howard Rye". Obviously the book isn't aware of the 50's recording, so thanks again for the additional information.
Cheers
Pan
Edited to correct: "1890-1943" instead of "1980-1943"
By the B&G I meant "Blues & Gospel Records 1890-1943, 4th edition, compiled by Robert M.W. Dixon, John Godrich, and Howard Rye".
Thanks a bunch! I've been researching "John Henry" and have been trying to put together a comprehensive list of recordings, especially by African-Americans. The B&G will be a big help. A local university's library has a copy of it.