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Country Blues => Country Blues Lyrics => Topic started by: Johnm on March 23, 2017, 02:38:32 PM
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Hi all,
It's hard to say how we made it this far without a Little Brother Montgomery Lyrics thread here, but I guess the time has come for it. Little Brother Montgomery recorded his "No Special Rider Blues" in 1930, accompanying himself on the piano. The song bears no musical resemblance to Skip James' "Special Rider Blues". Little Brother's playing on the song is remarkable for his grooving and inexhaustible supply of ideas. He has been swinging his eighth notes throughout his rendition, but when he gets to his late solo, he switches and starts playing straight eighth notes, and the effect is riveting--so funky. Lyrically, he employs a stammering archetype over the first four bars of each verse, and gives up the stammering for the remainder of each verse. I'd very much appreciate help with any of the bent bracketed passages. Here is his rendition:
https://youtu.be/Bi4MO3LpSxU
INTRO
Now, rider, rider, rider, mama, where you been so long?
Now, rider, rider, brown, Lord, where you been so long?
I ain't had no lovin', mama, since you been gone
And I hate, hate to hear, hear the little Katy, when she blows
Lord, I hate to hear the little Katy when she blows
Puts me on a wander, mama, makes me want to go
I can't see, see no train, can't hear no whistle blow
Lord, I can't see no train, neither hear no whistle blow
Now it keeps me wandering, from the wander to the door
Now, mama, I ain't got no plumb good rider now
Lord, I ain't got no plumb good rider now
Now, it seem like my rider, tryin' to quit me anyhow
Now, the big bell, the bell is ringin', and the little bell sadly tones
Lord, the big bell's ringin', the little bell, she sadly tones
Mama, and I'm lonely, lonely, lone, a long, long way from home
Goin' to get up, get up in the mornin', mama, and I ain't gon' say a word
Gonna get up in the mornin', Lord, I ain't gon' say a word
Gonna eat my breakfast in sweet old Hattiesburg
SOLO
Lord, I know you, gonna miss me when I'm gone
Lord, I know you, gonna miss me when I'm gone
Gonna miss your baby, from rollin' in your arms
Edited 3/23 to pick up corrections from banjochris
Edited 4/15/21 to pick up correction from Harry
All best,
Johnm
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I'm a huge fan of Little Brother's, John, such a great musician. I have a couple of his tunes transcribed already, "Good Grinding" and "Must Get Mine In Front," which I'll post when I get home today.
That one passage sounds phonetically to me like "from the wander to the door" and it makes me think he meant to sing "going to wander to the door." Unfortunately he doesn't sing that verse on the later recording that's on YouTube.
Also, I'm pretty certain the little bell "sadly" tones. And I wonder if the "sweet Johannesburg" could be "sweet ol' Hattiesburg."
Chris
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Thanks for the help, Chris. I also wondered about Hattiesburg vs. Johannesburg--hard to imagine Little Brother citing a city in South Africa (though there may be a Johannesburg in the U.S., too). Re the little bell and big bells' sounds, I have Brownie McGhee singing a song in which the "little bell fairy tones". I'll re-listen.
All best,
Johnm
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I think it's just his nasal voice that makes it sound somewhat like "fairly," especially in the first line -- for what it's worth, on the more modern recording, he sings "sadly" both times.
I don't think there's a Johannesburg, MS, although there is one in California about 2 hours from me that I've driven through but have no memory of doing so!
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After re-listening, I think you're right about both "from the wander to the door" and "the little bell sadly tones", and have made those changes, Chris. Thanks! Oddly, I think he does sing "Johannesburg", the "j" sound at the front end is pretty clear, I think. Maybe Little Brother was fascinated by geography, like Robert Johnson or Willie Blackwell.
All best,
Johnm
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https://youtu.be/iWgv8buFGJQ
Going to add one more since I was just listening to it. This has the same accompaniment as "No Special Rider":
Frisco Hi-Ball Blues
Now the Frisco, Frisco highballed and the Santa Fe stood still and groaned,
Now the Frisco highballed, Santa Fe stood still and groaned,
I don't like this old place, mama it ain't gon' be here long.
Oakdale, Oakdale's on the Mountain, and it's Craven on the Santa Fe,
Oakdale's on the Mountain, Craven on the Santa Fe,
And I'm goin' to DeRidder, and catch the longest train I see.
Now the woman, woman I love, mama she's so far away,
Now the woman I love, mama she's so far away,
Now the one I hate, I see her every day.
(solo 2x)
She's got hands, hands full of diamonds, and a mouth chock full of gold,
She's got hands full of diamonds, and a mouth chock full of gold,
And every time she smile, mama it makes my blood run cold.
Lord, I wonder, do she ever call my name?
Lord, I wonder, do she ever call my name?
And if you like me, pretty papa, I swear you would say the same.
Edited with correction from Harry (five years later!) and dj – see note about railroads further down the thread
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Wow, thanks for posting all of those tunes, Chris. That's great!
All best,
Johnm
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Hi all,
Here is Little Brother Montgomery's version of "Vicksburg Blues", from 1930. Del Rey plays a ripping version of this song. It sure is a memorable number, and that chord he plays in the eleventh bar of his verse accompaniments is one of the coolest ever. His 8-bar solo, concluding with the tagline of an unsung verse, is kind of a surprise.
https://youtu.be/I_KYbizxhg8
INTRO
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I'll, sing 'em anywhere I go
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I'm, sing 'em anywhere I go
Now, the reason I sing 'em, my babe said she didn't want me no more
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I'll, sing 'em anywhere I please
I got the Vicksburg Blues and I'll, sing 'em anywhere I please
Now, the reason I sing 'em, done give my poor heart some ease
SOLO
Mama, I ain't gon' be your low-down dog no more
And I don't like this old place, mama, well, Lord and I never will
And I don't like this old place, mama, Lord, and I never will
'Cause I can sit right here and, and look at Vicksburg on the hill
All best,
Johnm
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The flip-side of "Frisco Hi-Ball Blues" from 1931. Two takes, nearly identical. From the context, I would assume he means Fresno, Texas, not California. The video is take A. There's a much nicer copy of this tune on the "Down in Black Bottom" Yazoo release.
https://youtu.be/oMoqB9QkmJ0
Louisiana Blues
take A
I was borned in Fresno, by the Big Rock county jail,
Aaaaaah, by the Big Rock county jail,
I did not have nobody, mama to go my bonny bail.
Lou'siana, where I long to be,
Lou'siana, where I long to be,
I got a cool, kind pretty mama, waitin' there for me.
Now mama I'm goin' back, back to the Lone Star State,
Aaaaaah mmmm, back to the Lone Star State.
Won't you wat' [watch] out pretty mama, I swear you can't make me late.
SOLO
Woman's voice: Ah play it!
Man's voice: (off mike): Play it.
Woman's voice: Let's get drunk and beat somebody!
Play it Little Brother, a long time!
Now that's what I'm sayin'!
Now the big bell keep on ringin', and the little bell she sadly tone,
Aaaahh mmm, the little bell she sadly tone,
Mama, and I'm lonely, lonely, lonely, and a long lost way from home.
Now mama, this old place, don't seem like home to me.
Aaaaaaaahhh mnmmm, don't seem like home to me,
That's why I'm so worried, mama heartbroken as I can be.
take B
I was borned in Fresno, by the Big Rock county jail,
Aaaaaah, by the Big Rock county jail,
I didn't have nobody, mama to go my bonny bail.
Lou'siana, where I long to be,
Lou'siana, where I long to be,
I got a cool, kind pretty mama, waitin' there for me.
Now mama I'm goin' back, goin' back to that Lone Star State,
Aaaaaah, back to the Lone Star State.
Won't you watch out pretty mama, I swear you can't make me late.
SOLO
Woman's voice: Oh pick 'em.
Man's voice: (off mike but not as off mike as in take A): Ah, pick 'em till I get back to Lou'siana.
Woman?s voice: Ah, scat!
Now the big bell keep a-ringin', and the little bell she sadly tone,
Now the big bell keep on ringin', and the little bell she sadly tone,
Mama, and I'm lonely, lonely, lonely, and a long ways from home.
Now mama, this old place, don't seem like home to me.
Aaaaaaaahhh, don't seem like home to me,
That's why I'm so worried, mama heartbroken as I can be.
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Thanks for posting that, Chris, I'd not heard that performance before. Do you know who the guitarist was on the track? I was wondering if in the tagline to the first verse it might be
I didn't have nobody, mama, to go my bounty bail
See what you think.
All best,
Johnm
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I was wondering about the guitarist as well and couldn't find my B&GR last night; I looked on Stefan Wirz's Little Brother discography and he's listed only as "Hicks," with prob. Minnie Hicks as the female vocalist. Little Brother backed her up on "Monkey Man Blues" and "Sweet Rider," but I don't hear guitar on either of those tracks. Whoever he is, he's a good guitarist!
On that lyric, I still hear "bonny" in both takes -- I can't hear a T at all and the vowel sound doesn't sound right to me. I agree "bonny bail" is somewhat unusual.
I found a video with take B, by the way -- it's in better shape:
https://youtu.be/amOnyABHDuI
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Here's Louisiana Blues-Part 2, recorded at Little Brother's marathon October 1936 session. I think the weird word in the tagline of the first verse is "escort," but if anyone has other ideas let me know.
https://youtu.be/yC9daj0LvFo
Now boys, I'm leaving town, because I?m awful blue,
I'm leaving town, because I'm awful blue,
I'll make the Great Northern 'scort me, baby up from here to Bogaloo.
Because I?m going down in Lou'siana, whoa, where I can have my fun,
I?m going down in Lou'siana, whoa, where I can have my fun,
Now if you don't believe I?m leaving, wait until morning come.
Now it is all I've got to tell you, you don't know like me,
Now this is all I've got to tell you, you don't know like me,
Because down in Lou'siana, that's just where I long to be.
SOLO
Now when I know my baby, she sure gon' jump and shout,
And I know my baby, sure gonna jump and shout,
Now when the Northern roll up mama, and I come walking out.
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Little Brother Montgomery is my favourite blues piano player. I'm a guitarist of sorts, but I love good jazz/blues piano, from the usual suspects through to obscurities like Kitty Gray, Jesse James, Jab Jones, and many more. Just saying that for a non-player, I've listened a lot. And had the pleasure to click glasses once in Memphis with Mose Vinson :) But Little Brother has a lyrical beauty that lands in my brain just right. On my player right now, Chicago The Living Legends recorded 1961. Good stuff esp. the Vicksburg, always special.
So does anyone know is there an LBM appreciation society or the like? I've searched in vain. IMHO he was a major force, played up front and behind everyone from Walter Vinson to Memphis Minnie and probably more that I have not found yet. There's a great discography at https://www.wirz.de/music/montgome.htm but I'm certain he played on many other sides.
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I don?t know if there?s an appreciation society, but you, me and thomas8 are a start!
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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You can count me in on that one too. Wonderful piano player.
Some years ago I was sitting in a bar in Chicago and he walked in and ordered a drink, scotch, I think. I was just rooted to the spot. I wanted to say something but the words just wouldn't come out! I was probably in a state of shock. He didn't stay long and then he was away and I was left sitting thinking 'did that just happen'.
I've been kicking myself ever since for not saying how much I loved his music.
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Leaving Town Blues
A heartbreaking blues from Montgomery’s mammoth St. Charles Hotel session. 23 (!) sides cut in one day.
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in Bb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZLrgKq-rI (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZLrgKq-rI)
Now I'm leaving town baby, ‘cause you know you treats me wrong
And I'm leaving town baby, ‘cause you know you treat me wrong
You go out at night and get full of bad whiskey, and stay out the whole night long
And I tried everything, mama in this world to get along with you
And I tried everything, in this world to get along with you
Now and you know I love you, that's why you treat me like the way you do
And I'm going, I'm going, mama and your crying won't make me stay
And I'm going, I'm going, and your crying won't make me stay
And the more you cry mama, the farther that you drive me away
SOLO
Now when I leave this town mama you can pin crepe, on my door
When I leave this time mama, you can pin crepe on my door
And I won't be dead, baby but I ain't coming, here no more
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I want to suggest some changes in Frisco Hi-Ball Blues if I may, Chris. A transcription you did 4 years ago.
Old Bill, Old Bill's on the mountain, and he's cravin' on the Santa Fe,
Old Bill's on the mountain, cravin' on the Santa Fe,
And I'm goin' to the river, and catch the longest train I see.
Oakdale, Oakdale's on the mountain, and it's Craven on the Santa Fe,
Oakdale's on the mountain, Craven on the Santa Fe,
And I'm goin to DeRidder, and catch the longest train I see.
Oakdale, Cravens, and DeRidder are places/regions in Louisiana where Montgomery was from.
I'm not sure on Cravens. Pronounced Craven.
I got this information from "Deep South piano: the story of Little Brother Montgomery".
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Thanks for that, Harry, I made the fixes – I have that book, too – might be time to read it again! John, I'm assuming this is in Weeniepedia; it'd be worth fixing that verse.
Chris
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It is in Weeniepedia, Chris, and I will make the fixes. Thanks to Harry and you for ferreting that out.
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Nice work, Harry. I have that book too, but haven't looked at the lyrics in years.
One minor correction, The lyric should read "Oakdale's on the Mountain..", with a capital M. Oakdale was founded on the line of the St. Louis, Iron Mountain and Southern Railroad, which was locally known as "the Mountain". Cravens was indeed on the Santa Fe. And, since I know you're curious, DeRidder was on the Pittsburgh & Gulf Railroad, which was later renamed to the Kansas City Southern.
By the way, Louisiana does have a "mountain", of sorts. Driskill Mountain (or Mount Driskill) is the highest point in Louisiana, with an elevation of 535 feet (163 m). It's in the northern part of the state, quite a way from Oakdale, Cravens, and DeRidder.
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Thanks for the additional info, dj.
The book also has the lyrics for "No Special Rider Blues" (first song in this thread).
With the famous line here on Weenie Campbell,
"Gonna eat my breakfast, in sweet Johannesburg"
Written down in the book as "Gonna eat my breakfast, and sneak to Hattiesburg"
It makes more sense that Montgomery would name a town close by rather than one in California or South-Africa.
I find it difficult to hear. What y'all think?
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Hi Harry,
Thanks for bringing that up. I re-listened, and I do think it is "Hattiesburg", but I think the last line in that verse is
Gonna eat my breakfast in SWEET OLD Hattiesburg.
I have made the change.
All best,
Johnm
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Thanks dj for the railroad info!
Chris
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Sorry to start this again but I don't hear "Gonna eat my breakfast in sweet old Hattiesburg".
It's something like this I believe, "Gonna eat my breakfast, and sneak/sling to Hattiesburg".
But I recorded the song myself already with "Johannesburg" (attachment). I might just keep it like this.
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Hi Harry,
Re-listening, I agree with you, especially the "and" and "to" book-ending the verb in the middle, which sounds more like "sling" than "sneak" to me. I'll make the change in Weeniepedia. Thanks!
all best,
Johnm
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The First Time I Met You
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjtTrdevMn8
INTRO
The first time I met the blues, mama, they came walking through the wood
The first time I met the blues, baby, they came walking through the wood
They stopped at my house first, mama, and done me all the harm they could
Now, the blues got at me, Lord, and run me from tree to tree
Now, the blues got at me, and run me from tree to tree
You should have heard me beggin’, “Mr. Blues don't murder me”
Good morning, blues, what are you doin’ here so soon
Good morning, blues, what are you doin’ here so soon
You be’s with me in the mornin’, Lord, and every night and noon
PIANO SOLO
The blues came down the alley, mama, and stopped right at my door
The blues came down the alley, and stopped right at my door
They give me more hard luck and trouble, than I ever had before
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Stefan Wirz pointed out that the song above was released in 1936 on Bluebird B6766 under the wrong title "First Time I Met You".
The correct title is "The First Time I Met The Blues".
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A. & V. Railroad Blues
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in Bb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-3--9_fsM
INTRO
Get your water here, baby, and coal where I got mine
Get your water here, baby, coal where I got mine
Get your water here, mama, and coal in the 'Bama mine
Now, when you wanna, want to ride easy, now, baby, catch the A. and V.
Now, when you wanna ride easy, why not catch the A. and V.
That’s where you pay for your ridin’ and, Lord, get your ridin’ free
Now, I hate, hate to hear, that A. & V. whistle when she blows
And I hate to hear, that A. & V. whistle when it blows
It puts me on a wander, mama, makes me wanna go
SOLO
Now, I thought I, thought I heard, that A. & V. whistle when she blowed
And I thought I heard, that A. & V. whistle when she blowed
Now, it makes me lonesome, and makes me wanna go
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Pretty sure it's the 'Bama mine in that first verse, short for Alabama of course –
Chris
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Thanks, Chris
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For what it's worth, The "A & V." that's the subject of "A. & V. Railroad Blues" is the Alabama and Vicksburg Railroad, which ran from Meridian Mississippi, near the border of Alabama, to Vicksburg on the Mississippi River. It was created in May 1889 by the reorganization of the Meridian and Vicksburg Railroad, and disappeared in June 1926 when its tracks and equipment were leased by the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad, eventually becoming part of the Illinois Central system.
Either the song had been in Little Brother Montgomery's repertoire for 10 years or more when he recorded it or the old name was still used for a while by the locals after the line had effectively changed hands.
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Thanks for that additional information, dj. The A. & V. was an unfamiliar name to me and you cleared it up--thanks.
All best,
Johnm
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Misled Blues
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in C
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBXWsONJyn4
INTRO
Now, I left my home baby, honey, just to be with you
And I left my home, darling, baby, just to be with you
And you got me here, baby, and that’s the way you do
Now, my mother told me, and my father too
Now, my mother told me, and my father too
Say “Some good looking woman, really gon’ be the death of you”
But I love you, baby, and I’ll tell the world I do
I love you, baby, and I’ll tell the world I do
Then I hope someday, mama, you will come to love me too
SOLO
Now, my mother is dead, and my father too
Now, my mother is dead, and my father too
Now, I ain’t got nobody, to tell my troubles to
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Tantalizing Blues
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U4lW4pHd5A
INTRO
Now, the stars really are shinin’, and don’t the cloud look awful grey
Now, the stars really are shinin’, don’t the cloud look awful grey
I believe the tantalizin’ blues and trouble, is gonna follow me to grave
I’m a poor little boy, my baby treats me like a slave
I’m a poor little boy, my baby treats me like a slave
And I have the tantalizin’ blues, mama, Lord, most each and every day
Now, have you ever been sad and lonely, and did not know what to do
Have you ever been sad and lonely, and didn’t know what to do
And did not have nobody, Lord, to tell your troubles too
SOLO
The blues will awake you at night, mama, and worry you the whole day through
The blues will awake you at night, mama, and worry you the whole day through
And I got those blues so bad, mama, until I don’t know really what to do
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Vicksburg Blues - Part 3
Little Brother Montgomery – Vocals, Piano
October 16, 1936
New Orleans, Louisiana
Piano in F
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_--LI66goyw
INTRO
Got a cool loving mama, and they call her Jessie P.
I’ve got a got a cool loving mama, and they call her Jessie P.
And she's the sweetest woman, has ever walked down Mulberry Street
Now, she's a kind loving baby, and give any man a thrill
Now, she's a kind loving baby, and give any man a thrill
Now, the reason I love her she live in Vicksburg, on the hill
SOLO
And I would love her, I love her, and I always will
And I would love her, I love her, and I always will
The reason I really love her, I thinks of Vicksburg on the hill
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Thanks for posting that, Blues Vintage, what great singing and playing. I'm hearing "will" instead of "would" in the first two lines of the last verse. See what you think.
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I dunno, John – I can hear the "d" of "would" articulated there.
Chris
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To me the vowel sound is a little funny, but he just repeats the "l" ending "will" on the beginning of "love". The meaning is not notably different either way, though if it's "would" he's covering all the verb tense bases.
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Thanks for the input. I keep "would". Also noted in Montgomery's book "Deep South Piano".