(Heavy) drinking as subject of blues

Subject: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 02:50 PM

Subsequent to my latest request (lyrics: laplegged drunk again; see below)I asked myself whether there was a discussion by 'Catters about the subject of drinking in blues songs.
There must be a lot of songs of this kind.
Therefore, if you like to take part: which blues is/are your personal favourite(s) resp. which blues about this special subject are known to you?
By doing this, choice(s) should be restricted to blues, i.e. drinking songs should be ignored.

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 03:23 PM

There probably are a lot of songs but the only ones I can seem to think of at the moment are about drugs! I'll get out some of my old LPs and see if I can find any.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 04:17 PM

As I recall Bukka White has a song called "Good Gin Blues". And of course there's always "One scotch, one bourbon, and one beer".

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST,DocJ
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 04:57 PM

Hi Leadbelly!

There's for a start:
Fine Booze and Heavy Dues: Lonnie Johnson
I Keep On Drinking - Curley Weaver
I Ain't Gonna Drink No Mo' - er...by yourself
Bell Street Blues (or Lightening) - Blind Willie McTell

There must be lots but drinking isn't always in the title so it's difficult to remember. Then there's a collection of prohibition songs

Regards to Martha (and the Stella)
DocJ

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:08 PM

"Beer Drinkin' Woman" Memphis Slim.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:09 PM

Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat" is a particularly tragic drink song. It makes compulsive drinking sound about as much fun as it actually is. I read somewhere that he actually did have problems. I would not like to speculate about whether it was true.
A lot of drinking lines appear in countless blues songs. "If that river was whisky, I'd be a diving duck...." is just one. There are countless others.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:10 PM

Wesley, thanks for the sequence. I'm gonna try out whether it works.
DocJ: Haha,ha, thanks!

My additional contribution: Fast life woman by Lightnin' Hopkins.

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:17 PM

"Whiskey and Gin Blues" Memphis Slim
"Hesitation Blues" Reverand Gary Davis

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:22 PM

And isn't there a song called "I ain't drunk - I'm just drinkin' "?

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:26 PM

"Brother Booze" Cuby and the Blizzards
"Too Much Alcohol" Rory Gallagher

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:30 PM

Alanabit,
I agree: heavy drinking is an individual tragedy always. But isn't it a matter of fact, that alcohol belongs resp. belonged to blues singers like lyrics belong to a melody? Do you know a teetotal blues singer?

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:37 PM

Eanjay,
Rory is a good example. So, even beer works to destroy oneself. Sorry, Rory.

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Jean(eanjay)
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:45 PM

Are these any good?
"Everytime I get to Drinking" Sunnyland Slim
"Sitting Here and Drinkin'" aka Whiskey Blues - Muddy Waters

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: alanabit
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 05:48 PM

I did not intend to sound judgemental Leadbelly. For sure, heavy drinking has been in the culture of blues along with drugs, whores, sexual abuse and a hundred other things. I would not go so far as to regard it as an indispensible part of its mystique though! I have actually met blues players, who do not drink. For sure, a lot of good blues and ragtime emerged from violent whorehouses. A lot of fine theatre emerged from the rough house Shakespearean theatre. I feel no great desire to frequent either type of establishment though!

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:12 PM

Alanabit: I totally agree. One have to differentiate.
Eanjay: they are!!!! Thanks for your input!

Now I go to bed.
Have a good night,

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 06:17 PM

"Canned Heat Blues" by Sloppy Henry. It's not the same as Tommy Johnson's "Canned Heat," but it is the same as McTell's "Bell Street" (except for the key words) and was recorded about 5 years earlier. (McTell: "I used to jump [my songs] from other writers, but I'd 'range 'em up my way.")

"God Don't Like It" aka "You've Gotta Stop Drinking Shine," recorded by Blind Joe Taggart, Blind Willie and Kate McTell, and by some of the singing ministers. Also known in the hillbilly field though with less sanctification.

("They say that yellow corn makes the very best shine,
You better turn that corn to bread and stop that drinkin' shine,
Well, God don't like it and I don't either
God don't like it and I don't either
God don't like it and I don't either,
It's scandalous and a shame.")

"Whiskey Headed Man" and "Whiskey Headed Woman" by Tommy McClennan.

"Good Liquor Gonna Carry Me On Down" by Big Bill. Perhaps similar to other songs which use the refrain "I keep on drinkin'," but the only one I'm familiar with.

("I know a little girl, 'bout sixteen years old,
Says Big Bill, if you stop drinkin' I will satisfy your soul,
But I just keep on drinkin', I just keep on drinkin'
I just keep on drinkin' till good liquor carry me on down.

I went to the doctor with my head in my hands,
The doctor said Big Bill, I'll have to give you monkey glands.

My woman told me, 'bout fourteen years ago,
You gonna drink one of these mornings, and you ain't gonna drink no mo'."

Don't know who composed them, but I have a soft spot for "I Drink Alone" and "If You Don't Start Drinkin', I'm Gonna Leave" from the George Thorogood songbag.

Bo Carter: "Let's Get Drunk Again"
("I got the whiskey, you got the gin,
I got the whiskey, you got the gin,
Baby, let's drink and get drunk again.

Hey, whiskey, whatcha say, gin?
Hey, whiskey, whatcha say, gin?
Baby, let's drink and get drunk again.

It don't make no difference
How drunk you may be
Since you don't hold back, baby,
Honey on lovin' me ... ")

Blind Blake: "Bootleg Rum Dum Blues"

{"I love my whiskey, crazy 'bout it as I can be
I love my whiskey, crazy 'bout it as I can be
But my new bootlegger's really 'bout to poison me.")

The index to Dixon, Godrich, and Rye adds numerous others whose titles begin with "Whiskey" or "Drinkin'/Drinking."

Both white and black artists did a number of songs c1930 about a poisonous brand of homemade liquor known as "Jake" (distilled from Jamaica ginger), though I think there were more of these in the hillbilly than the race catalog.

Champion Jack Dupree is mostly talking about dope, but "Junker's Blues" (the original, not, I think, the many remakes) starts off:

"They call me, they call me the junker
'Cause I'm loaded all the time
I don't use no reefer, I be knocked out with an inch of wine."

Someone, maybe hard-drinking jazzman Eddie Condon, once said, "Guys who say they can't get drunk on beer just ain't trying."

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Joe_F
Date: 19 Feb 07 - 08:04 PM

Don't need no whiskey, I don't need no rum.
Just need you, baby, when the summer come.

-- Eric von Schmidt (of blessed memory), "Make My Love Come Rolling Down"

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 04:05 AM

To GUEST (06:17 PM): Incredible list of examples. Thanks a lot! I'm going to visit the Index of Dixon, Godrich and Rye.

Joe F: But what would deceased Eric have done, when summer and baby are gone...? Nevertheless, very nice lyrics.

Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: melodeonboy
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 04:31 AM

"Bad, Bad Whiskey" - Charles Brown

"Champagne and Reefers" - Muddy Waters

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Brian Hoskin
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:23 AM

Alanabit,

Tommy Johnson did indeed have a drinking problem. This is outlined by David Evans in his 1971 biography of Johnson based on information from interviews with Ishmon Bracey (who recorded with TJ and TJ's brothers Mager Johnson and LeDell Johnson.

"Drinking was his weakness. That's what killed him. Tommy would drink anything that he could get to. When he was out of whisky, he would drink anything. That's the reason he put out those Canned Heat Blues. He drank canned heat, shoe polish, alcorub, till they put this business in it. He'd drink anything, denature, beer, wine, whisky, anything he'd get to. [Rev. Ishmon Bracey]" (Evans, 1971: 57)

"He believed in drinking. He loved that canned heat. He's the first fellow I ever heard tell of drinking canned heat. And he drank so much of it, he said he was going to put him out a record about canned heat. And that's where the Canned Heat Blues comes from. That canned heat, you know, it was red. It was in those little old cans. When you open it, take the top off the can. He'd strike him a match and burn it, burn the top of it. And he'd put in a rag and strain it. It's got juice in it. Squeeze the juice out of it into a glass. And then get him some sugar and put it in there. And then some water. And there he'd go. Oh, he started I don't know how many people around here in Copiah drinking that stuff. He'd have it and ask them did they want a drink of it. And when everyone taste it, he want some more. And then that other fellow, he'd see that drink, and just kept on and kept on. Oh shoot, I was drinking that stuff. It's a good drink. [Mager Johnson]" (Evans, 1971: 57)

Johnson kept drinking canned heat right through to his death in November 1956, here's how LeDell describes his final day:

"He left away from my house that night or that morning, one, and went down to Crystal Springs to play for my daughter. And he was to leave there and go away somewhere, he said. Said he was never coming back. So that was the end of him. He was just about seeing his death. He went down there to play for my oldest daughter. She was having some kind of party down there, some kind of birthday. He played practically all night for my oldest daughter, for her entertainment down there, and he died in the morning. He was full of that old denature, canned heat, and stuff. And when the party was over and everybody left, my daughter said she went in the kitchin for something and she heard a kind of scuffling and groaning, and says she broke in there and Tom was sitting on the couch, studio couch, and says when she called him and called him, and he ain't answered yet. That was the last time he played, that morning 'fore day. [Rev. LeDell Johnson]" (Evans, 1971: 85-86).

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: alanabit
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 07:08 AM

Thanks very much Brian. I just like to be careful about saying anything bad about a guy before I have more than hearsay evidence. My father went down the same path, in what was effectively suicide. I guess it is just the route some folks choose to go down.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST,Bleu Gris, ivrogne.
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 11:49 AM

"Woke up dis mawnin',
Spilled ma brekfust on de lawn...."

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Scoville
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 01:22 PM

Everything that's coming to my mind is about sex! Yeesh.

I swear there's one somewhere about "Jake-Leg Blues" or something, about the effects of drinking Jamaica Ginger hair tonic (which was mostly alcohol). But I don't have my blues stuff at hand so I can't go look for others.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: 12-stringer
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 06:23 PM

There's half a dozen songs about "drinking Jake." "Jake Leg Blues" by the Allen Bros is maybe the best known, but Byrd Moore did one, and so did several other (mostly hillbilly) groups. Tony Russell's "Old Time Music" magazine had an article on the phenomenon and the songbag, some years ago. Jamaica Ginger was a home-concocted alcoholic beverage that had the disadvantage of being poisonous; it led to paralysis, blindness, and general motor nerve damage, and not infrequently, to death. It was in the news around 1929/1930 and was frequently cited as another reason why Prohibition should be abandoned.

Bay Rum was the hair tonic that was drunk most often, and there are a couple of hillbilly songs about that, as well (Dave McCarn and Tom Ashley, plus another by Kenneth Houchins that is likely -- I haven't heard it -- to be a cover of McCarn). I don't know of any on the race side of the ledger, other than a harmonica solo by El Watson. As far as I know, bay rum wasn't toxic. God knows how much of the stuff ya had to drink to get a buzz -- maybe as much as was needed with Boone's Farm! But people would drink anything in those days, as with Sterno. "Many good man's been poisoned to death," as Uncle Dave put it, but UDM was spoiled by a long association with the Jack Daniel distillery at Lynchburg TN and never had much truck with moonshine.

"Sloppy Drunk Blues," as recorded in 1930 by Leroy Carr (1899-1935), the first great piano bluesman, with Scrapper Blackwell on guitar. It may be a cover or imitation of Lucille Bogan's song of the same title, recorded several months earlier, which I haven't heard. There were several subsequent covers and imitations, including "Sloppy Drunk Again" and "Sloppy Drunk Woman." Among Carr's other titles were "Papa Wants to Knock a Jug," "Straight Alky Blues Pts 1 and 2," "Corn Licker Blues," and "Hard Times Have Drove Me to Drink."

I'd rather be sloppy drunk than anything I know
I'd rather be sloppy drunk than anything I know
And another half a pint, mama, will see me go.

I love my moonshine whiskey better than a chippie loves her man
I love my moonshine whiskey better than a chippie loves her man
You can take your billy bop (?), give me my cool kind can.

I'd rather be sloppy drunk, sitting in the can
I'd rather be sloppy drunk, sitting in the can
Than to be on the streets, running from the man.

Mmm, bring me another two-bit pint
Mmm, bring me another two-bit pint
Cause I've got my habit on, I'm going to wreck this j'int.

My gal done quit me, for somebody else
My gal done quit me, for somebody else
Now I'm sloppy drunk, mama, sleeping by myself.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Scoville
Date: 20 Feb 07 - 09:29 PM

Thanks. I had office busywork on the brain when I wrote that.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 08:24 AM

How about Jimmie Rodgers? This was transcribed as best I could make out the lyrics from a recording:

Gambling Barroom Blues
from the singing of Jimmie Rodgers

Oh…oh…hey, hey, the gambling barroom blues

I went down to the corner, just to meet my gal
I found her standing on the sidewalk, talking to my pal
I strolled back to the barroom to get another drink of gin
But the first thing I knew I was reelin', rockin', and drunk again.

I kept drinking gin and liquor, 'til way up in the night
When my pal walked into the barroom, we had an awful fight
I reached down for my razor and then we knocked around
But when I pulled my pistol, I quickly smote him down.

Hey…hee…hey…ho, ho…whoo…whoo…ooo-oo, ooo-oh, oh…hey…ho

I went down to see my baby and met her on the way
I told her I'd have to leave her, I told her I could not stay
I started down to the station and stopped in at the bar
There I met a police-man, riding in a motorcar

We both drank lots of liquor, that flat-footed cop and I
I thought he would never leave me, Lord, I thought I'd die
My baby came in to join us, and then it began to rain
Then I had to hurry, hurry, to catch that midnight train

I laid my head in the barroom door, I'll never get drunk anymore
I pawned my watch and golden chain, I pawned my baby's diamond ring
Police, police, police, you're just as drunk as me
I'll grab that old eight-wheeler and make for the deep blue sea.

SC

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 12:38 PM

SouthernCelt,
an interesting and most amusing example from the country-side of music dealing with drinking. Although not knowing this song I assume that there was some yodelling, too. That's right? Thanks for transcribing the lyrics!

Coming back to blues, I would like to present lyrics of a song by Lonnie Johnson which inspired me to start this thread/subject.

Many thanks to Brian Hoskin who successfully made investigations about the lyrics!

Laplegged Drunk Again (31st March 1938)

I been drinkin' all night long, I've started again today.
I been drinkin' all night long, started again today.
I been tryin' my best to drink these worried blues away.

Some people drink to hide their troubles, but that don't mean a thing.
Some people drink to hide their worries and troubles, but that don't mean no thing.
When you think your troubles are gone, and you find yourself drunk again.

Friends, I drink to keep from worrying, I smile to keep from cryin'.
Friends, I drink to keep from worrying, smile just to keep from cryin'.
That's why I cover my troubles, so the public don't know what's on my mind.

I said I was through with love, both whiskey, wine and gin.
I said I was through with love, both whiskey, wine and gin.
You know when I found myself, I was laplegged drunk again.

Love will make a many man drink and gamble, and stay out all night long.
Love will make a many man drink and gamble, and stay out all night long.
Love will drive you into many places, sometimes where you don't belong.

Isn't this a great and honest blues?

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 01:39 PM

Leadbelly asked: "an interesting and most amusing example from the country-side of music dealing with drinking. Although not knowing this song I assume that there was some yodelling, too. That's right?"

Well, believe it or not the only non-lyric sounds in this one are the moaning/groaning lines (at the beginning and mid-way). This is as close to true blues as Rodgers ever came I think. The tune is a real dirge sounding air but reminds me of St. James Infirmary.

SC

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 02:53 PM

SouthernCelt,sorry for an obvious misunderstanding caused be my non-knowledge of Jimmie's song. One (that's me) should not talk about a song whithout knowing about the song and its background.
Concerning the "moaning/groaning lines" I mistakenly thought this should mean yodellin' because I do remember that most successfully he practiced this technique. Because I'm from germany I know a lot about yodelling so this remark was not a prejorative one.
And without a doubt he wasn't an alcoholic. He died of pneumonia, didn't he?
Last but not least: I still feel, that the lyrics are somewhat funny/amusing (german: lustig. That's my ongoing impression of this obviously nice song of Jimmie.

Peace, Manfred

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: SouthernCelt
Date: 21 Feb 07 - 09:33 PM

In most of his songs he did do at least one break/turnaround with yodeling but this one was a bit different. Pneumonia may have been the acute condition that took him out but he was badly ill with tuberculosis for all of his singing career. It was said that his last recording session, in New York I believe, took several days because he would have to lie down and rest between every take in order to regain strength to move on to another song. One of the albums of his collected songs gives the date of recording of each song and several on the album were recorded only a day or two before he passed on.

SC

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST,Billy
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 07:20 PM

Steve Goodman wrote one of the finest blues songs ever (IMHO).

DON'T GO LOOKIN' FOR TROUBLE

(Chorus)        
Don't go lookin' for trouble. Trouble will find you,
Trouble will find you, trouble will find you.
Don't go lookin' for trouble. Let me remind you
'Cause you sure don't have to look too hard

The first time you take a drink it makes you spit and sputter
Shiver and shudder, mumble and mutter
But the next one tastes so sweet it makes you want another
Now you're drinkin' all the time

(Chorus)

The first time you shade the truth you want to run and hide
Your tongue gets tied. Your mouth gets dry.
Then you start thinkin' maybe no one even knows you lied
Now you're shady all the time

(Chorus)

(Bridge)

Trouble will pin a tail on you and follow you around
It'll get you when you're number's up
And when your guard is down

The first time you fall in love the skies are sunny
She calls you "Honey." Your jokes are funny
Then she tells you she was only in it for the money
Now you're drinkin' all the time.

Don't go lookin' for trouble. Trouble will find you,
Trouble will find you. Deaf, dumb and blind you.
Don't go lookin' for trouble. Let me remind you
'Cause you sure don't have to look too hard
Trouble's in your own back yard

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:00 PM

"Moonshine Blues" by Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey

"Well, I've been drinkin' all night, and the night before...."

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 08:01 PM

"Blues in the Bottle" is an obvious one. Jerry Rasmussen has recorded it several times.

"I'm Drunk Again" Paul Butterfield Blues Band recorded it on the "In My Own Dream" album

"Give Me a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer" was recorded by both Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday

"Wine, Wine, Wine" with Nick Gravenites singing lead was recorded by The Electric Flag, The Chicago Blues Reunion, and perhaps one of Gravenites's solo efforts.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Elmer Fudd
Date: 22 Feb 07 - 09:36 PM

Tin Pan Alley - recorded by Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's killer.

Elmer

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: GUEST,Rev. I B Ware
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 05:57 AM

Do you know a teetotal blues singer ?

Well yes I did, the recently departed Snooky Pryor for one and I am sure that he was not alone.

Subject: RE: (Heavy) drinking as subject of blues
From: Leadbelly
Date: 23 Feb 07 - 05:53 PM

Rev.I B Ware - Honest compliments to gone Snooky Prior for this life-style. I suppose it was not easy to manage this when you think of the surroundings, i.e. musicians drinking, taking (other)drugs aso.

Manfred