Listen to that man play that Tennessee chicken. Watch him, he taps both feet at the same time. Boy, he likes his Cincinnati chicken. Go crazy. Aint gonna live long now! - John Dilleshaw, Streak O' Lean, Streak O' Fat
Hi all, I have long been an admirer of the singing and playing of John Byrd, and not having DG&R, I don't know exactly how many titles he recorded. I think he just had the two solo titles, "Billy Goat Blues" and "Old Timbrook Blues", some cuts (4?) on which he accompanied Mae Glover, and some cuts (how many?) on which he backed Washboard Walter and sang with him. If anyone can flesh out John Byrd's recording career a bit without going to too much trouble, I'd very much appreciate it. All best, Johnm
These show up on various labels as by The Pickaninny Jug Band, Taylor and Anderson, and the Carolina Washboard Trio. Paramount apparently listed him at some point under the pseudonym Black Byrd
« Last Edit: April 10, 2014, 09:36:00 AM by Eric Hubbard »
Thanks very much for this information, Eric. It occurred to me I could look in the Document catalog to get an idea of how many titles Byrd had (though it wouldn't show the unissued titles) and it looks like there were a fair number of titles with Washboard Walter. I really couldn't tell from the catalog how many of Mae Glover's titles had John Byrd on them. Apart from the two that are in the Mae Glover lyrics thread, I know there is also, at least, "Gas Man Blues". All best, Johnm
John Byrd released 2 titles as Rev. George Jones and Congregation (That White Mule of Sin & The Heavenly Airplane) and 5 titles with Washboard Walter (Narrow Face Blues, Wasn't It Sad About Lemon, Insurance Man Blues, Overall Cheater Blues & Disconnected Mama). You mentioned John Byrd's two solo titles already, and there were 4 released titles with Mae Glover, and one unissued track which we'll probably never hear. Apperently he was in Louisville but thought to have moved there from Mississippi and estimated to have been born in the 1890s.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2014, 08:53:42 AM by mr mando »
Oops, almost all the info was posted while I was typing! I don't seem remember that John Byrd was on Thirty Eight & Plus, Deal Rag and Corrine Corrine. Is that info directly from DG&R?
« Last Edit: April 10, 2014, 08:58:27 AM by mr mando »
Yes, that info is from DGR. Also, I mistakenly assumed that Walter Taylor and Washboard Walter are the same person. Maybe not, according to DGR. In addition to the sides already mentioned, John Byrd is also listed as the probable accompanist for Washboard Walter on:
Narrow Face Blues Wasn't It Sad About Lemon Disconnected Mama
For the sake of completeness, DGR lists Byrd as Glover's accompanist on:
Shake it Daddy Pigmeat Mama I Ain't Givin' Nobody None (a quadruple negative?) Gas Man Blues and the unissued Hard Ridin' Papa
corrected 4-14-14 eh
« Last Edit: April 14, 2014, 03:17:41 PM by Eric Hubbard »
Hi all, One other thought occurred to me re Washboard Walter. Has anyone ever heard him play a washboard on any of the tracks he did with John Byrd? I haven't, and it seems a little weird to have a performance monicker identifying oneself with an instrument that one does not play. All best, Johnm
I have a correction to my previous post on this subject. Dusting off DGR and and interpreting the somewhat arcane accompaniment details, it appears that Washboard Walter did not play washboard an all his titles, only on the following:
Narrow Face Blues (probably) with John Byrd (probably) PM 12954 and Disconnected Mama with John Byrd (probably) PM 12991
and without John Byrd on
Wuffin' Blues Overall Cheater Blues
John Byrd also (probably) accompanied Washboard Walter as Rev. Emmet Dickson (sans washboard) on
Wasn't It Sad About Lemon PM 12945
Finally, John Byrd is not listed as accompanist on I don't Care What You Do, as I incorrectly state in my previous post.
The devil is in the (devilishly detailed DGR) details.
I should note that (probably) is a DGR qualifier meaning there is no written documentation of the accompanist but is an educated guess based on who was known to be present at the session and listening to the recording.
Hi all. According BG&R, Walter Taylor also recorded 6 tunes for Gennet on Saturday, 15 February 1930 (the day after day recorded Thirty Eight and Plus, Deal Rag, and Corrine Corrine, which Eric mentioned earlier).
The personnel was: Walter Taylor, vocals washboard & kazoo; John Byrd, guitar; C.J. Anderson, banjo.
The tunes were:
It Ain't No Good Yo Yo Blues Broadcasting Blues You Rascal, You St. James Infirmary Diamond Ring Blues
Thanks, Bruce and Eric and Pan for the information and links. I feel reassured after finally having heard Washboard Walter play the washboard. All best, Johnm
Hi all, I am really thankful for the discographical information and links to performances. It turns out there is much more John Byrd yet to hear, and I'm really glad of that. All best, Johnm