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 "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 "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"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 "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"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_lolzAnd a complementary playlist on
Spotify, mainly for the songs that couldn't be found on YouTube:
http://open.spotify.com/user/1145504196/playlist/2fqOjDYfHHFAPWOPze5yQ3Cheers, 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
