Topic: Versions of "Stackerlee"

[bnemerov]

Hi Pan,
Rich-R-Tone was an east Tennessee post-WW II company that released hillbilly music on 78s and (later) vinyl. Their most famous issues were by the very early Stanley Bros. bluegrass band.
Moon Mullins later became a very well-known disc jockey, promoter and bluegrass performer (fiddler, if I recall correctly) in the upper mid-west; Ohio, primarily.
Sounds like he listened to John Hurt's records which is surprising from a white hard-core hillbilly artist. Curious to know if that's Mrs. Moon playing the guitar.
Goes to show you never can tell.
best,
Bruce

[Stuart]

Thanks Pan and Bruce. I did a little searching, but there was some uncertainty given that "Moon" Mullins was a popular nickname owing to the comic strip by the same name. Anyway, I guess that it was by Paul "Moon" Mullins. Here are a couple of links:

http://myclassiccountry.com/about-us/paul-moon-mullins/

Click on the " Enjoy Our Favorite ?Moonisms? " link for a PDF compiled by Fred Bartenstein, et al. Good reading

http://citybeat.com/cincinnati/article-415-where_the_holler_meets_the_hardtop.html

[Pan]

Thank you Bruce and Stuart.

Cheers

Pan

[Stuart]

...Sounds like he listened to John Hurt's records which is surprising from a white hard-core hillbilly artist...

It would be interesting to know the background of the recording and when it was made. Mississippi John Hurt performed at Oberlin after he was rediscovered (the Vanguard "Best Of" double LP), so as a DJ and musician who was quite active, Paul Mullins might have been familiar with MJH. Perhaps his son would know.

[Pan]

Hi again guys.

On closer listening I think I'm hearing two guitars (one electric?) and a (string?) bass on the  Moon Mullins recording. Which makes labeling the artists as "Moon Mullins with Mrs Moon Mullins" even stanger. I too would like to know who are the musicians.

Cheers

Pan

[bnemerov]

Hi Pan & Stuart,
I've had a little more time to dig--something I enjoy and used to get paid to do at the Archive--and it now appears that this Moon Mullins is a different guy than the fiddle-playing DJ.

This guy, Dallas "Moon" Mullins, and Mrs. Moon were guitar players (I suspect it's Dallas playing the Kentucky-style lead) who recorded Rich-R-Tone #1042 in 1952 with an unknown string bassist. The flip side of this 78 single is "I'm Beggin' Back."

Moon, also a DJ, but in High Point North Carolina rather than Ohio, went on to play in minor rockabilly groups led by pianist/singer Mickey Hawks, a poor man's Gene Vincent. They cut a number of singles on the Profile label, several of which were guitar instrumentals by Mullins (who also played saxophone).

Probably more than any of us wants to know, but there remains the aptness of a white North Carolina guitar picker listening to John Hurt's Okeh 78s....not too improbable.

best,
bruce

[Pan]

Thanks again, Bruce! I'll see if I can find his I'm Beggin' Back. I wonder if it's the tune lemon did?

Cheers

Pan

[Stuart]

Hi Bruce:

Thanks for the correction and clarification. The dates for Paul Mullins seemed a little off to me, but what do I know? Blame the ambiguity on the funny  papers! In any event, learning about Paul Mullins was worth the cyber excursion. He sounds like an interesting guy who hosted an entertaining show and has more than a few quotes worthy of the Weenie Quote Generator.

Thanks again,

Stuart

[Rambler]

Is it outre to consider contemporary versions?  Mr Steve James has a good one telling the tale from Stack's side.  Its here (Steve jumps in about 1:56)