Topic: SOTM September 2019 - Mama Don't Allow

[Rivers]

This is going to be a "drip feed" SOTM because I'm real busy on the farm getting ready for the chilly season. Plus it might work as a format for these threads going forward anyway, let's see what happens.

Many of us with an ear for music first became aware of the Mama Don't Allow group of songs during the folk blues revival of the early Sixties. But this was long after the song first started appearing on record. For this initial post I'm going to focus on some roots, and maybe comment on the various musical, lyrical formats and cultural aspects.

First up, here's the great Arthur Crudup with his combination of great groove and a voice I could listen to all day:



I think this illustrates one approach to the song. It's very adapted to the player's personal style, presented as a 12 bar blues, and only a single thing his mama don't allow him to do, i.e. "...stay out all night long".

Of course there are a thousand variations on this theme, musically, lyrically and culturally. I look forward to hearing and reading your comments on this song.

Regards,

Rivers

[Rivers]

Mance has a good 16 bar version. What grabs me about it is he 'goes long' after a nicely discordant roll on the V. I'm finding that particular time shift fiendishly difficult to play but he sure sounds good:

[David Kaatz]

Hope y'all don't mind a modern version by JJ Cale.

[Rivers]

Anything by JJ makes it to my Road Trip iPod playlist!

[Rivers]

I'll try to remember to do a wrap post documenting all the things that mama don't allow after we are done with all the songs that are out there.

[Lignite]

Washboard Sam as Ham Gravy 1936;                                                                         https://soundcloud.com/mlightninw/mama-dont-allow-no1

[Lignite]

Eddie Kelly's Washboard Band - Shim Shaming 1937

[waxwing]

Here's two versions, back to back on the video, featuring Tampa Red. The first is a duet with Georgia Tom on piano, recorded 4 Sept, 1929. The second, (@ 2:50) is Tampa Red and his Hokum Jug Band, recorded a lttle over a month earlier on 23 July, 1929, and features Cow Cow Davenport (probably) on piano, Jasper Taylor on washboard, unknown kazoo and jug, and Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon with the superb vocals and his usual verbal riffing. This jug band version is my fave, and we used these lyrics back in the Hohoppas JB.

Wax

[Rivers]

Good stuff all.

As we know, Mama Don't Allow is a great set piece in a social jam setting, and we always need lots of these when just kicking back with friends. The setup is whoever is currently leading calls out someone(s) instrument or genre for the next solo.

Pushing this idea way over the top is this nicely shot, edited and recorded backstage jam lead by Pokey LaFarge and Dom Flemmons. It's a lot of fun, authenticity be damned. If you haven't seen it before, errr... where you been?

[eric]

Here's Hank Thompson:

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is a related song by Big Joe Williams, not really the more common 16-bar "Mama Don't Allow" that lists the various things Mama don't allow, but rather a 12-bar chorus blues.  Here it is:



All best,
Johnm

[iantonionni]

Can I add Papa Charlie Jackson's Mama Don't Allow It (And She Ain't Gonna Have It Here) from 1925

Anthony

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is one from the downstate Delaware musician, Frank Hovington, recorded as "Guitar Frank".  I really like everything he did, and there is more stuff of his on youtube than just the record he recorded for Flywright.  Here is "Mama Don't Allow":



All best,
Johnm

[Johnm]

Hi all,
Here is an excerpt of film footage of Booker White playing his version of "Mama Don't Allow":



And here is footage of Jack Owens playing the song to Bud Spires' dancing:



All best,
Johnm

[Norfolk Slim]

The Booker clip is fantastic.  Not seen it before and delighted to have it flagged.  Thanks John.