At his first performance, in the Empire Theatre in Glasgow on August 1, the audience went wild when Waller made his entrance wearing a kilt. When he sat down at the piano and swung "Loch Lomond," he had them in knots - Fats Waller tours the UK in 1938, from Spreadin' Rhythm Around, Jasen and Jones
Hi funkapus, I am not aware of any instructional materials having been done on Frank Hovington's playing. I think he is probably way too obscure a figure, despite his obvious musical gifts, to justify a commercially released lesson on his guitar playing. Even at Weenie, which is frequented by serious Country Blues fans, I'd guess very few people have his Flyright CD or earlier albums. All best, Johnm
Just a bit of info for those interested in Frank Hovington, a brilliant musician. He was recorded by Bruce Bastin and Dick Spottswood for the LofC ca. 1975. An LP was released on both Rounder and Flyright. The Flyright CD is still available from the company and has additional titles recorded then. Axel Kustner and Siggi Christmann recorded him in 1980, with material released in Germany on LPs - currently available on CD from Bellaphon Records in the "Living Country Blues USA". He was one I wanted to record, quite worthy, but I never got to him - I passed on what info I had to Bastin and the rest is history. I heard of him from my youngest sister's boyfriend at the time who was at Yale. Frank opened a concert featuring Dr. Ross back in the day!
Hi all, Bill Williams, of Greenup, Kentucky, on the Ohio River, recorded "Railroad Bill" on his first album on the Blue Goose label. Bill was similar to Frank Hovington in that when he performed well-known songs like "Railroad Bill" or "Frankie and Johnny", he always seemed to come up with verses you've not heard elsewhere. He starts with a pretty relaxed tempo and brings it up as he goes.
Railroad Bill was a desperado sport He shot all the button off a brakesman coat This morning, just before day
Then old Railroad Bill, he started around the curve He stopped to catch a freight train, but he didn't have the nerve A bad man, old Railroad Bill
Old Railroad Bill, he walked up to the law He pulled out his fist and put it in his jaw He was a bad man, old Railroad Bill
Old Railroad Bill, he stood right in the track "I wonder if that freight train ever coming back." He's a bad man, old Railroad Bill
Old Railroad Bill, he didn't have a home All he'd do is ramble and run around and roam It's a bad man, old Railroad Bill
Old Railroad Bill, he started 'round the curve He start to see the police and he didn't have the nerve He was a bad man, Railroad Bill
Old Railroad Bill, then he begin to roam He's wonderin', "if I ever get back to my home I'm a bad man, Railroad Bill"
Hi all, Riley Puckett, on banjo and vocal, and Gid Tanner, on fiddle, recorded their version of "Railroad Bill" very early, in 1924, the earliest recorded version we've encountered thus far. Of course, Riley was better known as a guitar player, but his banjo playing here has a beautiful smooth flow to it. He certainly sang pretty, too, really a sweet tone. Melodically, the duo's version is probably closest to Will Bennett's version, maybe because it is not tied to a finger-picked accompaniment in C. This track really has a "trip back in time" sort of feel to it for me, that I especially like. I'd appreciate help with the lyrics in two places. In verse two, Riley sounds like he sings "Dunny". The word that sounds closest to that that you normally find in Country Blues lyrics is "doney", but that doesn't make a lot of sense here. Any thoughts?
Railroad Bill, mighty bad man Shot the lantern from a brakeman's hand Oh honey, it's ride, ride, ride
Some folks say the dummy can't run Just let me tell you what the dummy done Oh honey, it's ride, ride, ride
Left Atlanta, half past one Got to Chattanoogy at the settin' of the sun Well, it's ride, ride ride
Railroad Bill lived on the hill He wouldn't work, Lord, and he hever will Oh well it's ride, ride ride
Kill those chickens, save me the heads Thinks I'm a-workin', I'm at home in my bed Oh well it's ride, ride ride
Baby, baby, you needn't fret I ain't no fool, Lord, 'bout you yet Oh well it's ride, ride, ride
Kill those chickens, save me the wings Thinks I'm a-workin', Lord, I ain't doin' a thing Oh, it's ride, ride ride
Railroad Bill, mighty bad man Shot the lantern from a brakeman's hand Well it's ride, ride ride
Kill those chickens, save me the feet Thinks I'm a-workin', I'm a-walkin' the street Well it's ride, ride ride
Edited 5/6 to pick up correction from banjochris Edited 5/7 to pick up correction from dj
Hi all, I had never heard this version before. When you have Vera Hall singing a melody like this, what a gift it is to have no chords, no accompaniment.
Railroad Bill, he goin' 'round that curve Go 'round there, you better raise your nerve REFRAIN: I'm scared of Railroad Bill I'm scared of Railroad Bill, young man, I'm scared of Railroad Bill
Railroad Bill, he was a-mighty mean Wouldn't wear nothin' but the big-leg jeans REFRAIN: I'm scared of Railroad Bill I'm scared of Railroad Bill, young man, I'm scared of Railroad Bill
Railroad Bill, he was a mighty big fool Wouldn't ride nothin' but a mustang mule REFRAIN: I'm scared of Railroad Bill I'm scared of Railroad Bill, young man, I'm scared of Railroad Bill
Railroad Bill, he mighty big fool Couldn't tell his track a-from a horse or a mule REFRAIN: I'm scared of Railroad Bill I'm scared of Railroad Bill, young man, I'm scared of Railroad Bill