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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Johnm on September 28, 2015, 10:18:16 AM
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup accompanied himself out of cross-note for his 1941 recording of "If I Get Lucky". His vocal is particularly intense on this song, and it seems like the song might be a precursor to his later hit "That's All Right, Mama", which Elvis Presley covered. Here is Crudup's performance of "If I Get Lucky":
https://youtu.be/U0rKW0FZnv0
That's all right, mama, that's all right for you
That's all right, mama, that's all right for you
Treat me low-down and dirty, any old way you do
I been worried all night, mama, now I'm worried again today
I been worried all night, mama, now I'm worried again today
'Cause the woman I love done throwed me away
Babe, I wouldn't've been here, if it had not been for you
I wouldn't've been here, mama, if it had not been for you
Now away in Chicago, you treat me like you do-do
I'm leavin' town, mama, just to wear you off my mind
I'm leavin' town, mama, to wear you off my mind
Now, you treat me low-down and dirty, I b'lieve I'll lose my mind
'f I get lucky, mama, win my trainfare home
'f I get lucky, mama, win my trainfare home
I'm goin' back to Mis'sippi, Lord now, where I belong
All best,
Johnm
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Wow, you can really hear how Crudup was an influence on J.B. Lenoir on that one.
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I'm hearing 'worry you off my mind' in verse 4. it's clearer in the first line but there's not much in it!
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I'll stick with "wear", Gumbo. The vowel sound matches "wear" better following the "w" than does the vowel sound in "worry".
All best,
Johnm
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No worries, mate ;)
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup's 1941 recording of "Black Pony Blues" has him once again accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning. I have by no means heard all of Arthur Crudup's recordings, but based on what I have heard, I would agree with Frank that he always played in cross-note. And for me, his sound in cross-note hasn't come close to palling or getting "old". He always sounds as fresh as paint, and he has so much of his identity tied up in his sound that hearing the subtle variations he introduces on his different songs makes me appreciate the depth of his musical language all the more. So I suppose I'd be no more inclined to complain of Crudup's "lack of versatility" than I would be to whine about Garfield Akers playing everything in A.
I think that the way Arthur Crudup uses the phrase "how they swear" in the taglines to verses two and three would mean something akin to "despite what other people say". In the tagline to verse three, I think Arthur Crudup split the phonetic difference between "Ain't a horse in the country" and "Ain't a horse in Kentucky". Here is "Black Pony Blues":
https://youtu.be/L1U1j1PNzqY
I got a coal black mare, oh Lord, how that horse can run
I got a coal black mare, oh Lord, how that horse can run
Well, she win every race, man, you don't see how it's done
I give her three gold teeth, I put earrings in her ear
I give her three gold teeth, I put earrings in her ear
Man, there ain't no use of worryin', how they swear, the stuff is here
I curl her mane, I put streamline shoes on her feet
I curl her mane, I put streamline shoes on her feet
Ain't a horse in the K'ucky, how they swear, my horse can't beat
Says, she fox-trot and pace, and I rode that horse today
Says, she fox-trot and pace, and I rode that horse today
Well, when mornin' come, she had never broke her gait
She go on the race track at midnight, and I rode her all night long
She go on the race track at midnight, and I rode her all night long
Well, when mornin' come, she had never changed her way
She's a coal black mare, she's got a long black curly mane
She's a coal black mare, she's got a long black curly mane
Well, I'll follow that horse, man, in any land
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
For Arthur Crudup's 1944 recording of "Cool Disposition", he was joined by Melvin Draper on drums. Crudup takes a pretty wild solo on this one, hitting some mysterious sonorities that haven't been re-visited by any other players working in cross-note that I have heard. The lyrics to this one keep making unexpected turns. Here is "Cool Disposition":
https://youtu.be/7Dl9Hry3UmQ
This war is awful, it have upset so many homes
This war is awful, it have upset so many homes
It have cost me my baby, staying in the world alone
She's got a cool disposition and she drives my blues away
She's got a cool disposition and she drives my blues away
Now, when this war is over, maybe I'll come home someday
When she looks at me, Lord, and pulls me in her arms
When she looks at me, yes, and pulls me in her arms
I start to screamin' and cryin', Lord, I hope this war don't last too long (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
SOLO
Now, when I start to drillin', now with a gun, Lord, in my hand
When I start to drillin', with a gun, Lord, in my hand
I want to kill somebody, b'lieve my baby's got another man
All best,
Johnm
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Damn, that's fantastic! The coolest disposition is Arthur Crudup. It makes you want to spend some time with cross-note.
Thanks for posting these Johnm, nice to re-visit Crudup!
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I'm with you on that, Slack. I keep thinking, "What would it be like to open your mouth and have that sound come out?" He really had the whole package.
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I wrote the following years ago, but it didn't come up in a search of the current site--just the archive:
"I was fortunate to meet Arthur Crudup at a workshop and see him in concert in 1972. He sure impressed me as somebody who knew how to sing, play, and to entertain. He wasn't flashy, but solid and nuanced. And as you say, he had a powerful voice. I remember that most of the concert goers were young, but he had no problem connecting with the audience. He did a "Gather ye rosebuds" themed intro to a tune called, "Nobody Loves You When You're Old and Gray," that was priceless.
He's someone who deserves to be closely listened to."
Looks like the correct title is "Nobody Wants You When You`re Old And Grey"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5AmyIa9oQ0
I also remember that during the workshop he looked at us and told us to enjoy our youth and all that it holds, along with our health, because it wasn't going to last forever. It wasn't part of an act, just straight up sage advice.
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup's 1944 recording of "Rock Me Mama" has him joined by Melvin Draper on bass and a drummer whose name I don't know. Crudup once again hits some striking and unusual chords in cross-note tuning. Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/p6SE5120UmE
INTRO
Rock me, mama, rock me slow, rock me one time, rock me 'fore I go
REFRAIN: I said, rock me, mama, hey-hey-hey rock me, mama
Now, rock me, mama, one time before I go
I been wonderin', all night long, why don't you rock me, takes you all night long?
REFRAIN: I said, rock me, mama, hey-hey-hey rock me, mama
Now, rock me, mama, one time before you go
Don't leave me, baby, don't leave me, please, if you leave me, Lord, give my poor heart ease
REFRAIN: I said, rock me, mama, hey-hey-hey rock me, mama
Now, rock me, mama, one time before you go
I know you women wonderin' what it's about, if you rock Crudup, girl, you gonna soon find it out
REFRAIN: But just rock me, mama, hey-hey-hey rock me, mama
Now, rock me, mama, one time before you go
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup was joined by a bass player and drummer for his recording of "Hoodoo Lady Blues". Check out Arthur Crudup's fill from :53--:59--wow! Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/Yb7RPUq1io4
B'lieve I'll drop down in Lou'siana, just to see a dear old friend of mine
B'lieve I'll drop down in Lou'siana, just to see a dear old friend of mine
You know, maybe she can help me turn my hard, hard times
You know, they tell me in Lou'siana there is hoodoos all over there
Now, they tell me in Lou'siana, there is hoodoos all over there
You know, they'll do anything for their money, man, in the world, I declare
SOLO (Spoken, leading into solo: Yeah, man, play it for me!)
Now, Miss Hoodoo Lady, please give me a hoodoo hand
Now, Miss Hoodoo Lady, please give me a hoodoo hand
I wanta hoodoo this woman of mine, I believe she's got another man
Now, she squabbles all night long, she won't let me sleep
Lord, I wonder what in the world this woman done done to me?
Now, Miss Hoodoo Lady, please give me a hoodoo hand
I wanta hoodoo this woman of mine, I believe she's got another man
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup was joined by a bass player and drummer for his recording of "Hoodoo Lady Blues"....
Ransom Knowling, bass; Lawrence "Judge" Riley, drums.
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Thanks for that personnel information, Al. I will add it to the transcription in Weeniepedia. Thanks!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup was in good form, as usual, for his recording of "Give Me A .32-20", a song often covered later as "Questionnaire Blues" or "I Got My Questionnaire". Listen to what he plays behind his singing of the second verse--whew! Here is the song:
https://youtu.be/cVnOsTZXjpM
INTRO
I've got my questionnaire, and they needs me in the war
I've got my questionnaire, and they needs me in the war
Now if I feel murder, don't have to break the county law
All I want is a .32-20 made on a .45 frame
I want a .32-20 made on a .45 frame
Yes, and a red, white and blue flag, wavin' in my right hand
Then you could tell my baby, oh Lord, I said, "Wait for me."
Then you could tell my baby, oh Lord, I said, "Wait for me."
Tell her I'll meet her one mornin', down by that old Red Sea
Now if I go down, put a red, white and blue flag in my hand
Now if I go down, put a red, white and blue flag in my hand
Say, you can bet your life, poor Crudup sent up many men
Mmmmmmmmmm, hero is all I crave
Mmmmmmmmmm, hero is all I crave
Now, when I'm dead and gone, write "HERO" on my grave
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
For "Roberta Blues", Arthur Crudup was working with a bass player and drummer, accompanying himself in cross-note tuning, as usual. The song, apart from its title, bears no musical resemblance to the Lil' Son Jackson "Roberta". When returning to Arthur Crudup's music after a little time away from it, I'm always struck by his vocal tone--it's just amazing, so bright and brilliant and solid. What a feeling it must be to open your mouth and have such a sound come out! Here is "Roberta Blues":
https://youtu.be/bdxwZjZ6pks
Roberta, Roberta, you is forever on my mind
Roberta, Roberta, you is forever on my mind
You know, when the sun starts sinkin', I am wringin' my hands and cryin'
Some day, some day, some old lonesome day
Some day, some day, some old lonesome day
You know, you'll long to be with me, and I'll be too far away (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
SOLO
I just dream of you, darling, every night of my life
I just dream of you, darlin', every night of my life
You know, I lay down and dream, Roberta, that I've taken you for my wife
I don't want to bury you, even carry you through the storm
I don't want to bury you, baby, even carry you through the storm
You know, Roberta, if you don't love me, your life don't last you long
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
On "Dirt Road Blues", we find Arthur Crudup working with just a drummer, and it's a great sound, with the drummer sticking to his brushes. Arthur Crudup just rocks out on this one, and it's not hard to see how he would have impressed Elvis Presley and a lot of other people, too. I'm so glad Crudup played electric guitar. I don't think he would have sounded nearly as good on an acoustic guitar. He was a great guitarist and he is still waiting to be discovered, in terms of someone really figuring out what he was doing.
As the song goes along, Arthur Crudup switches from "dirt road" to "big road" for several verses. After the first verse, the song switches to a 16-bar structure, opening each verse with an 8-bar lyric break over the I chord, then going to a refrain with the arrival of the IV chord in the ninth bar. Here is "Dirt Road Blues":
https://youtu.be/IiUITyKPj94
INTRO
Baby, I ain't goin' down this dirt road by myself
Now, I ain't goin' down, dirt road by myself
Now, the one I love, moving down with someone else
Well now, that's all right now, mama, that's all right for you
That's all right, baby, any way you do
REFRAIN: Now, I ain't goin' down, baby, by myself
You know, the one that I love, moving down with someone else
Well, my Mama she done told me, Papa sat and cried
"These women you got, son, now, ain't no friend to you."
REFRAIN: Now, I ain't goin' down, big road by myself
Now, the woman you love, going down with someone else (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
SOLO
Now, one and one is two, two and two is four
She do it one time, boy, you know she'll go some more
REFRAIN: Now, I ain't goin' down, big road by myself
Now, the one I love, goin' down with someone else
Well now, if you don't want me, mama, why not tell me so?
I won't hang around your daggone house no more
REFRAIN: Now, I ain't goin' down,big road by myself
Now, the one I love, moving down with somebody else
Well now, that's all right now, mama, that's all right for you
You know, darlin', now, any way you do
REFRAIN: Now, I ain't goin' down, dirt road by myself
Now, the one I love, movin' down with somebody else
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
For "Crudup's Vicksburg Blues", Arthur Crudup accompanied himself out of . . . you guessed it, cross-note tuning. He is once again joined by an almost inaudible bass player and a drummer. The naming of the tune was genius--on the one hand it is a cover, on the other hand, it is Crudup's cover. The title says it all. If ever a melody played to a particular singer's strengths, "Vicksburg Blues" played to Arthur Crudup's. Those held notes in the melody sound like a horn with Arthur Crudup singing them. Here is his rendition:
https://youtu.be/FGby6QATbgo
INTRO
Baby, I ain't gonna be your low-down dog no more
Baby, I ain't gonna be your low-down dog no more
Well, I been your dog ever since I am at your door
Vicksburg is on a high hill, mama, Lou's'ana, just below
Vicksburg is on a high hill, mama, Lou's'ana just below
I want you take me back, mama, I won't be bad no more
Now, in old Vicksburg, Mississippi, that's where I long to be
Now, in old Vicksburg, Mississippi, that's where I long to be
I got a cool, kind pretty mama, she's waiting there for me
SOLO (Spoken before solo: Yeah, man!)
Now, these day have been, mama, long old lonesome days
Now, these day have been, mama, long old lonesome days
Well, it seem tomorrow gon' be the same old way
Baby, if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?
Baby, if you don't want me, why don't you tell me so?
Lord, then you won't be bothered, me 'round your house no more
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup recorded "My Mama Don't Allow Me" at a session in Chicago on August 15, 1942, accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning. What an under-rated guitarist he was! After the first verse, all of the remaining verses begin with a lyric break, followed by the refrain. Here is the track:
https://youtu.be/pQVqn1Gzo4Q
INTRO
My Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
REFRAIN: My Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
I ain't nothin' but a playboy, whoo Lord, some woman done me wrong
Now, if I had, Mama, a catfish, swimmin' in the sea, I'd have all you women now, fishin' after me, 'cause
REFRAIN: Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
I ain't nothin' but a playboy, whoo Lord, some woman done me wrong
Now, my baby got ways like a cat squirrel, high in a lonesome pine, when the wind blow that woman wants to, change your mind, 'cause
REFRAIN: Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
I ain't nothin' but a playboy, whoo Lord, some woman done me wrong
SOLO
I say now, stoop down, mama, let your, daddy see, what is that, baby, keeps on worryin' me, 'cause
REFRAIN: Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
Now, I ain't nothin' but a playboy, whoo Lord, some woman done me wrong
Baby, and I'll leave this town, ain't gonna say good-bye, no use to write and ask me the reason why, 'cause
REFRAIN: Mama don't 'low me, stay out all night long
I ain't nothin' but a playboy, whoo Lord, some woman done me wrong
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup was joined by a drummer for his 1946 recording, "Boy Friend Blues". Here is the performance:
https://youtu.be/AwTkUz1JDNI
INTRO
The woman that I am lovin', she is my boy friend's wife
The woman that I am lovin', she is my boy friend's wife
You know, I would get the one I love, hate to wreck my boy friend's life
Now this war is over, I want my baby by myself
Now this war is over, I want my baby by myself
You know, I'm sorry, my boy friend, you'll have to get you someone else
SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
Now, if Uncle Sam don't get me, and I have to go to war
If Uncle Sam don't get me, and I'll have to go to war
Don't you 'pend on this woman, 'cause she done called it off
Although I love her, and I hate to stay alone
Although I love her, and I hate to stay alone
She is the only one I love, and I'm usin' her for my own
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup recorded "Train Fare Blues" for Victor in 1947, accompanied by Ransom Knowling on bass and Judge Riley on drums. What a rocker this one is! This may be one of the songs that inspired Elvis Presley. As per usual, Arthur Crudup plays out of cross-note tuning here. Here is "Train Fare Blues":
https://youtu.be/7-5OHX7rmIs
INTRO
I'm gonna ask my baby, to lend me train fare away from here
I'm gonna ask my baby, lend me train fare away from here
Gal, ain't no need of me staying here, and you really don't need me here
Baby, lend me my train fare, then don't lend me another dime
Baby, lend me my train fare, then don't lend me another dime
I will mail you back your money, when your troubles be like mine
SOLO (Spoken: Yeah, take it and git, man!)
I'm gonna find someone to love me, someone that I can call my own
I'm gonna find someone to love me, someone that I can call my own
Baby, the way that you treat me, feel like I ain't got no home
SOLO (Spoken: Yeah!)
Baby, let me leave, try do something for myself
Baby, let me leave, try do something for myself
Ain't no need of me staying here, and I know you got someone else
Edited April 3 to pick up corrections from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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4.1 Baby, let me leave,
might try do something for myself
4.3 Ain't no need one of me staying here, and I know you got someone else
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Thanks for the catches, Harry. I've made the corrections.
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Hi all,
I have no session information on "Crudup's After Hours", so I'm unable to give proper credit to Arthur Crudup's accompanying drummer and bass player. Arthur Crudup is really on fire here, both vocally and instrumentally. Here is "Crudup's After Hours":
https://youtu.be/DE_PcYsKuLk
INTRO
After hours, after hours, after everything is closed
After hours, after hour, after everything is closed
That's when I look for my baby, and I wonder where do she go
All night long, I stays my room alone
All night long, I stay in my room alone
After hours, after hours, look like you would hurry home (Spoken: Yeah, man)
SOLO
I've got no one to love me, I'm in a big house by myself
I've got no one to love me, I'm in a big house by myself
After hours, after hours, b'lieve you're tryin' to find somebody else
SOLO
Ahh, sometime I'm lonesome, then again, I'm feelin' bad
Sometime I'm lonesome, then sometime I'm feelin' bad
After hours, after hours, is the worst blues I ever had
All best,
Johnm
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September 6, 1946 in Chicago with Ransom Knowling (bass) and Judge Riley (drums)
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Thanks for the session information, Harry. I'll add it to the Weeniepedia page.
All best,
Johnm
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Alright. Are you the only one who adds the songs to Weeniepedia? Gotta be a lot of work.
I did some transcriptions here lately by Cripple Clarence Lofton, Peetie Wheatstraw, Sunnyland Slim, Walter Roland, Sonny Boy Nelson and Barrelhouse Buck McFarland but none of them are listed on Weeniepedia. My Tampa Red and Big Maceo stuff is up there but it would be great if the missing names above are listed as well.
Is there a criteria for the songs that end up on Weeniepedia?
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Harry,
I would say that the main criteria are that I've had enough time to listen to and check the transcriptions before entering them and the time to enter them. I will check the ones you have mentioned and hope to have them entered soon, although I'm holding off on entering ones with missing spaces in the lyrics, such as the front end of the tagline to the last verse of the Barrelhouse Buck "Lamppost Blues". If somebody gets the front end of that tagline, I'll enter it. I don't recall the other ones being problems. I'm busy with lots of other stuff, too.
All best,
Johnm
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Can't you use some help from other weenies with Weeniepedia?
It's already a impressive archive I must say.
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Thanks for the offer, Harry. I think I can handle it now. If things get a whole lot more active, I may take you up on that.
All best,
John
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup recorded "Raised To My Hand" at a session in Chicago, on April 15, 1942, accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning and joined by Ransom Knowling on string bass. What a singer he was! I am stumped by the bent-bracketed passage in the first two lines of the second verse and would very much appreciate any help with it. Here is "Raised To My Hand":
https://youtu.be/CzDQ7XN6hcQ
INTRO
I had a little woman, she was nice and kind in every way
I says I had a woman, she was nice and kind in every way
Now, but she livin' in Chicago, yes, and she's changed her way
Though she's a Southern-raised woman, and I raised her to my hand
She's a Southern-raised woman, and I raised her to my hand
Now, she livin' in Chicago, and she's goin' from man to man
I said, "Oh Lord, have mercy, my baby don't know what she's doin'."
I said, "Lord, have mercy, she don't know what she's doin'.
She just runnin' 'round here, tryin' to lose her happy home."
Baby, I knowed you, woman, when you didn't have a dress to wear
I knowed you woman, when you didn't have a dress to wear
Yeah, you was runnin' 'round on 35th and Main, Lord, and your feets was bare
I taken you in, thought that we could be friends
I taken you in, thought that we would be friends
Now your mind ain't on me, baby, it's on other men
Edited 11/25 to pick up correction from Lyndvs
All best,
Johnm
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I think he may be saying"Southern-raised",John.
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Good catch, Lyndvs, that is certainly right! Thanks so much--that was bugging me. I will make the change.
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
"That's Your Red Wagon" was recorded October 22, 1945 and featured Crudup accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning and Charles Sanders on drums. This track is just tough--the rhythm moves forward so grudgingly, it is tugging back really hard the whole way. Crudup's playing here is sensational, some of my favorite playing in cross-note tuning ever--check out his fills for the first two lines of the third verse--it sounds like he's ripping sheet metal! His vocal is unearthly, too, one of his very best, and when you're talking about Arthur Crudup that is some pretty tall corn. Here is "That's Your Red Wagon":
https://youtu.be/GrCe8qM3F6Y
INTRO
Well, it ain't use for me worryin', life is just only your dreams
Well, it ain't use for me worryin', life is just only your dreams
Now, if you don't want me, baby, some other woman care for me
Now, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Baby, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Now, when you leave me this time, some other woman's got your home
I was in love with you, baby, you's in love with some other man
I's in love with you, baby, you's in love with some other man
Yes, and poor me was outdoors, going from hand to hand
Now, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Baby, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Now, when you leave this time, woman, some other woman's got your home
Baby, I was crazy, even to take you back
Yes, I was crazy, even to take you back
Now, when you're long gone, woman, you've got diamonds in your bag
CODA
Edited 11/26 to pick up corrections from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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Dang! I don't know why I never noticed this before, but listening to Standing By My Window just now made me realize that J.B. Lenoir must have worn out the grooves on a stack of Arthur Crudup records when he was growing up.
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1. Well, it ain't use for me worryin',
Lord, it's just only your dreams life is just only your dreams
Well, it ain't use for me worryin', Lord, it's just only your dreams life is just only your dreams
2. Lord, that's your red wagon now
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Thanks very much for the catches, Harry. The line makes much more sense now, and I've made the changes. Thanks!
A good point about J. B. Lenoir, too, dj, that had never occurred to me, but I hear what you're talking about.
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup recorded "Kind Lover Blues" at his first session, on September 11, 1941, for which he is reported to have been backed by Joe McCoy on imitation bass. Arthur Crudup's style, both vocally and on guitar, sounds to have been fully developed even at that very early stage. His sound in cross-note tuning is unique to himself, at least among guitarists who had the chance to record, and he had an unusual way of going to his IV chord in the middle of the fifth bar of his songs, with V chords nowhere to be heard. He not only was a spectacular singer--he had exceptionally strong lyrics, too. That fourth verse is striking. Here is "Kind Lover Blues":
https://youtu.be/L1fe2qM_drg
INTRO
Go ahead, kind lover, go ahead and have your way
Go ahead, kind lover, go ahead and have your way
Now, the life you livin', woman, you'll wring your hands and cry someday
I got a no-good woman, and she don't mean me no good
I got a no-good woman and she don't mean me no good
Well now, the reason I know it, I had to leave the neighborhood
Babe, I would not've been here, feelin' so sad and blue
Babe, I would not've been here, if it had not been for you
Now you got me in Chicago, and that's the way you do
Man, don't love that woman, she won't love you or nobody else
Man, don't love that woman, she love you or nobody else
I'd only blame that poor girl, 'cause she really don't love herself
She's a no-good weed, and the cows won't gnaw her down
She's a no-good weed, and the cows won't gnaw her down
If I was to guarantee, I'd run the poor gal out of town
CODA
Edited 11/26 to pick up corrections from Harry
Edited 11/26 to pick up corrections from waxwing
All best,
Johnm
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2.1
man and, she don't mean me no good
3.1 babe, that's feeling so sad and blue
I hear know instead of mow in the last verse
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Hi Harry,
Thanks for the catches in verses one and two, I have made the corrections. I agree that the phonetics in the last verse sound like "know" rather than "mow". "Know" makes absolutely no sense, and everyone else who sang the line says "mow", which does make sense. But I put in "know", followed by a [sic] to indicate, "Yes, that is what he actually sang, it's not a misprint".
All best,
Johnm
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I think that might be "the cows won't GNAW her down"
Wax
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Good on you, wax, that is certainly it, and it's better in sound and sense than either "mow" or "know" and gets rid of the condescending [sic]. Thanks! I have already made the change.
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Hi all,
Arthur Crudup's "Chicago Blues" just came up in my youtube feed and I checked and saw that it's not a song we've looked at previously in this thread. It was recorded in 1946 in Chicago, with Arthur Crudup accompanying himself in cross-note tuning, as per usual, and being backed by Ransom Knowling on bass and Judge Riley on drums. Every time I hear Arthur Crudup sing after not having listened to him for a while I find my self thinking, "Wow, how is that voice possible?!".
In the tagline to verse two, I originally had "ain't" in place of "e'en" ("even" with an elided "v"). I heard no "t" on the back end of the syllable, though, and "ain't" makes much less sense than "e'en". Likewise, in the first two lines of the last verse, I originally had "man", rather than "mean", but I don't think Arthur Crudup used "man" as a form or address in his lyrics very much. It's a tough call. Here is "Chicago Blues":
https://youtu.be/a-jG19Ew0Ts
INTRO
Every time I hear a whistle, see the smoke from a railroad train
Every time I hear a whistle, see the smoke from a railroad train
My mind get to wonderin', want to go back to Chicago again
Chicago, Chicago, is the grandest place on Earth
Chicago, Chicago, is the grandest place on Earth
You know, I e'en heard it, I e'en heard it from my birth (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
SOLO
Some day I'll get lucky, I'm gon' make Chicago my home
Some day I'll get lucky, I'm gon' make Chicago my home
I'm tired of stayin' down South, always treated wrong
I've got no one to love me, no one to call my own
I've got no one to love me, no one to call my own
I'm just way down South, and I'm always treated wrong
I have lots of lovin', man, I have myself a time
I have lots of lovin', man, I have myself a time
You know, the woman I got, she really don't change her mind
Edited 12/9 to pick up correction from Blues Vintage
All best,
Johnm
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Johnny Young has a song with some of the same lyrics.
I think it's "man" in the last verse. It could be " wanderin' " instead of " wonderin' " in the first verse.
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Yeah, I thought about that "wanderin'" versus "wonderin'", but the vowel sound is more towards "wonderin'". I will change that last verse to "man". Thanks for the input, Blues Vintage.
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Hi all,
Here is Arthur Crudup singing and playing "Ethel Mae". Once again, I do not know the accompanying personnel:
https://youtu.be/W5grmfiq-3E
INTRO
Ethel Mae, Ethel Mae, darling, what are you tryin' to do?
Ethel Mae, Ethel Mae, darling, what are you tryin' to do?
Well now, you know that I love you, God, and my love is true
Each night at my bedside, I remember you in my prayer
Each night at my bedside, I remember you in my prayer
You know, my mind gets to ramblin', Lord, I wish that you were there (Spoken: Yeah, man!)
SOLO
You is my all-day study, and you is my midnight dream
You is my all-day study, and you is my midnight dream
And I wonder, Lord, I wonder, "What is this woman done done to me?"
Ethel Mae, Ethel Mae, you is my whole heart desire
Ethel Mae, Ethel Mae, you is my whole heart desire
I said, "Don't leave me, baby. Please don't make me cry."
Some day you may want me, and I'll be too far away
Some day you may want me, and I'll be too far away
Now, but that's all right, baby, you may need my help some day
CODA
Edited 12/17 to pick up correction from Blues Vintage
All best,
Johnm
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February 22, 1946, Chicago, Illinois
Jump Jackson on drums
Sounds like "you is my ALL day study"
Or "YOU'S my ALL day study"
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I agree with your suggestion, Blues Vintage--I heard it but I didn't type it in. I will make the correction-thanks!
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But this isn't "Standing by my Window" at all (neither the youtube video nor the lyrics).
The actual "Standing by my Window" is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4TJdExlJu4
And according to Stefan Wirz (https://www.wirz.de/music/crudup.htm), recorded April 15, 1942 in Chicago, IL; Arthur Crudup, voc, eg; Ransom Knowling, sb, same day as "My Mama Don't Allow Me" (as well as "Raised To My Hand").
I believe the song you posted (youtube video and lyrics) is "That's Your Red Wagon", recorded October 22, 1945 in Chicago, IL; Arthur Crudup, voc, g; Charles Sanders, dr
Hi all,
"Standing By My Window" was recorded at the same session at which Arthur Crudup recorded "Raised To My Hand", and like that song, it featured Crudup accompanying himself out of cross-note tuning and Ransom Knowling on bass, although they are also joined by a drummer here. This track is just tough--the rhythm moves forward so grudgingly, it is tugging back really hard the whole way. Crudup's playing here is sensational, some of my favorite playing in cross-note tuning ever--check out his fills for the first two lines of the third verse--it sounds like he's ripping sheet metal! His vocal is unearthly, too, one of his very best, and when you're talking about Arthur Crudup that is some pretty tall corn. Here is "Standing By My Window":
https://youtu.be/ICrzy1WfJr0
INTRO
Well, it ain't use for me worryin', life is just only your dreams
Well, it ain't use for me worryin', life is just only your dreams
Now, if you don't want me, baby, some other woman care for me
Now, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Baby, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Now, when you leave me this time, some other woman's got your home
I was in love with you, baby, you's in love with some other man
I's in love with you, baby, you's in love with some other man
Yes, and poor me was outdoors, going from hand to hand
Now, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Baby, that's your red wagon, you can roll it along
Now, when you leave this time, woman, some other woman's got your home
Baby, I was crazy, even to take you back
Yes, I was crazy, even to take you back
Now, when you're long gone, woman, you've got diamonds in your bag
CODA
Edited 11/26 to pick up corrections from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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Here's a later recording:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv7-iGNhVcE
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Hi Brennan,
Thanks for the catch! I haven't even listened again, but I'm sure you're right. The necessary corrections will be made.Thank you!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
"Standing At My Window" was recorded by Arthur Crudup at a session in Chicago on April 15, 1942, on which he was joined by Ransom Knowling on bass. Crudup works out of cross-note tuning as was his wont. The piece has a grudging, slowly moving forward sort of tempo. Vocally, it seems like Arthur Crudup could do no wrong, and he wasn't let down by his guitar playing either. Thanks to Brennan for pointing out that the song previously identified and transcribed as being this one was actually "That's Your Red Wagon". The correction of the title on that performance has been made earlier in the thread. Here is "Standing At My Window":
https://youtu.be/3CK_AgP2VvA
INTRO
I was standing at my window, tears running all down my cheek
I was standing at my window, tears running all down my cheek
I could see the woman that I love, stoppin' every man in the world she meet
Then I started to screamin', "Lord, what wrong have I done?"
Then I started to screamin', "Lord, what wrong have I done?"
Every woman that I get, she wants some other one
I was standin' on the cornder [sic], 'tween Thirty-fifth and Main
I was standin' on the cornder [sic], 'tween Thirty-fifth and Main
That's where a blind man seen my woman, and a dumb man called her name
He said, "Mmm, Lord, I'm blind. You brought eyesight and made me see."
He said, "Oh, I'm blind. You brought eyesight, made me see."
Yes, and the dumb man asked the question, "Woman, who can your rider be?"
Poor me standin' there tremblin', with my head down in my hand
Poor me standin' there tremblin', with my head down in my hand
I know my woman's gwine to say, "Lord, I ain't got no man."
CODA
Edited 4/29 to pick up corrections from Blues Vintage
All best,
Johnm
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1.3 I could see the woman that I love, stopped at every man in the world she meet
I think he sings (different meaning), stoppin' every man in the world she meet
4.2 He said, "Oh, I'm blind. You brought eyesight and made me see."
I got April 15, 1942 for the session
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I think you're right in every instance, Blues Vintage, and I will make the changes. Thanks!