04 Dec 97 - 01:23 PM (#17084) Subject: Lyr Add: MISTREATIN' MAMA^^ From: Jon W. I think 90 messages is about enough for one thread. So I'm taking it upon myself to break the blues thread at this point. I don't recall much in the first half about Furry Lewis, an important blues figure from the '20s who was rediscovered in the '60s and '70s. Here's one of his typical songs:
MISTREATIN' MAMA Note: the second verse is quite hard to understand but I think he's referring to the folk magic/ancient religion practice of divining by examining livers of animals. That is, he states he is able to divine by liver examination what type of voodoo the woman is using to hold him. Of course, any other interpretations any of you want to give would be welcome. |
04 Dec 97 - 11:04 PM (#17125) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Hey, I'm new here, but what about Jelly Roll Morton's "Mamie's Blues" (after Mamie Desdoumb of New Orleans)? Somehow I think Jelly would win this competition, even if he stole the winning lyrics. He could deliver words like nobody else. -Barry Thorpe bthorpe@radc.com |
05 Dec 97 - 12:49 PM (#17154) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Nonie Rider "Liver." Hmm. I'd assumed it was just a typo for "lover." |
05 Dec 97 - 08:04 PM (#17177) Subject: Lyr Add: DRY LAND BLUES^^ TURN YOUR MONEY GREEN^^ From: Jon W. Nonie: like I said, it's difficult to hear the lyrics (almost mumbling) but I'm pretty sure it's not "lover", what ever it is. Note Furry's claim to be able to see the invisible in the fifth verse of Mistreatin' Mama, also the first verse of this song:
DRY LAND BLUES The fifth and possibly the forth verse of that one seem to refer to a bit of voodoo magic also. Here's another Furry Lewis song which was a favorite among the folk blues revivalists of the '60s (not that I remember back that far):
TURN YOUR MONEY GREEN
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05 Dec 97 - 08:44 PM (#17179) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E Hello Let me introduce myself. I'm Gene E., the bluesman formerly known as Elwooddelta. I'm so glad to be myself again!! :} |
09 Dec 97 - 09:30 PM (#17341) Subject: Lyr Add: ALBERTA^^ From: Gene E Ok, I'll prove it, time for a song, Alberta from Clapton / Unplugged (Guitar intro) Alberta, Alberta where you been so long? Alberta, Alberta where you been so long? Ain't had no lovin' since you've been gone. Alberta, Alberta where'd you stay last night? Alberta, Alberta where'd you stay last night? Come home this mornin', clothes don't fit you right. (Piano interlude) Alberta, Alberta, girl you're on my mind. Alberta, Alberta, girl you're on my mind. Ain't had no lovin', such a great long time. Alberta, Alberta where you been so long? Alberta, Alberta where you been so long? Ain't had no lovin' since you've been gone. (End) HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 10-Mar-01. |
27 Dec 97 - 09:14 AM (#18326) Subject: Lyr Add: POOR MAN'S FRIEND (T MODEL)^^ From: Gene E Howdy all, Merry Christmas Gene E here (formerly Elwooddelta) I thought it was about time for a song: Poor Man's Friend (T Model) Sleepy John Estes (08/02/37) Well, well when you're feelin' the winter, I please throw you wares in the bin. Well, well when you're feelin' the winter, I want you to throw your wares in the bin. Well, well probly next spring, ehhhea I want ta rig up my Tmodel again. Well, well a T model Ford, I say is a poor man's friend. Well, well a T model Ford, I say is a poor man's friend. Well, well It will help you out when your moneys thin. Well, well one thing 'bout a T model, you don't have to shift no gear. Well, well one thing 'bout a T model, you don't have to shift no gear. Well, well let out your brake and feed the gas, ehhhea and the stuff is here. Well, well V8 Ford and it done took the start. Well, well V8 Ford and it done took the start. Well, well it range all the way from ninety down to a hundred miles. Well, well somebody they done stole my wine out on the road. Well, well somebody they done stole my wine out on the road. Well, well just find somebody ehhhea got a T model Ford. HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 10-Mar-01. |
27 Dec 97 - 07:13 PM (#18337) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E I seem to be talking to myself again! Where'd yawl go? |
27 Dec 97 - 08:01 PM (#18340) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Earl Hey Gene, how's that Dobro workin out? |
27 Dec 97 - 08:40 PM (#18341) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: dulcimer Gene, I've heard the song (from B. Dylan I think) but substituting Corrina for Alberta. |
27 Dec 97 - 09:37 PM (#18344) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E Hey Earl, The Dobro is doin' real fine. Like anything I'm getting used to it and it's sound is getting better and better as I tune and get my string combination workin'. thanks for asking, Gene |
27 Dec 97 - 09:40 PM (#18345) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E Say Dulcimer, I'm sorry I don't know much Bob Dillan but as these old songs have been recycled through the decades it is very likely you've heard it. I've only heard it on Eric Clapton's Unplugged CD but he is just covering it. I don't know who the originator is. Happy Hollidays. |
27 Dec 97 - 11:27 PM (#18350) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Barry Corrina, Alberta or Roberta was picked up by Alan Lomax in the 30's & has been covered by many, sounds trad. Barry |
28 Dec 97 - 04:31 AM (#18355) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au What Barry says is true, except I have never heard her called Roberta. There is a Leadbelly song called by that name, but that is different (or at least I think it is different enought so as not to be considered a variation.) My favorite version of Corrina is the Mississippi John Hurt one. There is another song for Alberta which starts "Alberta let your hair hang down." Murray |
28 Dec 97 - 07:33 AM (#18356) Subject: Lyr Add: You've Got to Love Her with a Feeling^^ From: dwditty Don't recall seeing any Big Bill Broonzy in this or the last thread. He did a great version of Alberta - I'll dig out the lyrics and post later. One of my other all time favorites is Tampa Red's "You've Got to Love Her With a Feeling" Man, if you gonna love your woman Lovr her with a thrill If you don't You know some other man will You got to love her with a feeling You got to love her with a feeling Love that woman with a feeling Or don't you love at all Man, you know these woman Don't want that old half-way stuff So when you turn 'em loose Be sure they got enough And just love 'em with a feeling Love 'em with a feeling You got to love 'em with a feeling Or you don't love at all The gal I love She's nice and fat She's got her way of loving And it's good like that Because she love me with a feeling That woman love me with a feeling She love me with a feeling Or she won't love at all You know the woman don't like my woman Because she speaks her mind But the men are crazy about her Because she takes her time And she really love 'em with a feeling Man, she love 'em with a feeling That woman, she loves with a feeling Or she won't have any love at all Well she shakes all over When she walk She made a blind man see And she made a dumb man talk Because she loved 'em with a feeling She loved 'em with a feeling She loved with a feeling Or she won't love at all You know the cop took her in She didn't need no bail She shook it for the judge And he put the cop in jail You know she loved him with a feeling You know she loved him with a feeling She loved him with a feeling Or she won't love at all Gene, you might want to tray out that Dobro on some Tampa Red (The Guitar Wizard) tunes. Look for his version of Let Me PLay With Your Poodle. Regards DW |
28 Dec 97 - 11:27 AM (#18358) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E DW You know I don't know why I haven't gotten around to Tampa Red yet. Good Idea. Gene E |
28 Dec 97 - 03:11 PM (#18367) Subject: Lyr Add: CAN'T GET THAT STUFF NO MORE^^ From: Earl Speaking of Tampa Red, here's one of my favorites: CAN'T GET THAT STUFF NO MORE - Tampa Red
Bootleg Sal used to love across town
You know that place up on Dago Hill
Little Suzanne used to sell hair grease
There goes Joe with a great big knife
On State Street they used to give it away
All the girls used to walk the street |
28 Dec 97 - 07:31 PM (#18371) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E Earl, That's really among the best of the best blues songs, I gotta learn that one. |
28 Dec 97 - 09:26 PM (#18379) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Barry Murry, in the southern prison work camps, Rosie was most popular, Alberta or Berta giving her a good run for the money in second, beating out flat, all your Judies & Matties. Barry |
29 Dec 97 - 08:21 PM (#18430) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: murray@mpce.mq.edu.au Let me add Mildred Baily's version of Gulf Coast Blues and W.C. Handy's Atlanta Blues. I have an obscure brand CD with Sara Martin doing a really good job of the latter. Of course, both of these are with a blues band rather than a guitar as accompanyment. As for Big Bill Broonzy. I like "Big Bill Blues". I have it done with piano accompanyment. I would be interested if he has a version with guitar, because I like his guitar playing. Murray |
29 Dec 97 - 08:31 PM (#18431) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: Gene E I got new music for Christmas. Over 130 new songs total on CDs from Bukka White, Sleepy John Estes, Son House and the Great Delta Blues Singers. Now I get to pick a whole new batch of GREATEST BLUES SONGS! |
31 Dec 97 - 12:14 AM (#18489) Subject: Lyr Add: AIRPLANE BLUES^^ From: Gene E Time for a song! I love this one. Airplane Blues Sleepy John Estes (08/03/37) I'mo get in my airplane. I'mo get in my airplane I'mo ride all over, I'mo ride all over your town. Then if I spy the woman I'm lovin', po John, po John gonna let this airplane down. Here's my hand, here's my hand, You can lead me where you want, You can lead me where you want me to go. Then after you lead me wrong this time , you won't lead me, and you won't lead me no mo. I know my baby, I know my baby, And she's bound ta jump, and she's bound ta jump an' shout. Now when she get holt o this letter, I'll done rolled them few, I'll done roled them few days out. You sweet time someone, you sweet time someone, You aught'a know what you want, you aught'a know what you want ta do. Now the day that you quit me, an' I won't be mad, I won't be mad with you. Jes the day before Christmas, Jes the day before Christmas, Let me bring your present, let me bring your present tonight. Now I will be your Santa Clause, even if my whiskers, even if my whiskers is white. HTML line breaks added. -JoeClone 10-Mar-01. |
31 Dec 97 - 12:16 PM (#18508) Subject: Lyr Add: LONG TALL MAMA^^^ From: Jon W. Here's my all time favorite Big Bill Broonzy song:
LONG TALL MAMA This is a fast ragtime blues. I think I'll try to input the guitar part in ABC and post it, also the vocal, since I have them in a book (Six Early Blues Guitarists by Woody Mann). It may take me a few days, though, since I'm still working on my hardwood floor. Anyone know any good hardwood floor songs? How about "Take this Hammer" or "Down on this killing floor" ? |
30 Sep 00 - 01:52 AM (#308828) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: GUEST,furry didn't read first list anyone include Richard "rabbit" Brown's JAMES ALLEY BLUES amazing piece of work!!! |
18 Sep 07 - 12:09 AM (#2151625) Subject: RE: Greatest Blues Songs (Cont.) From: GUEST,hg Gulf Coast Blues (Clarence Williams) Transcribed from vocals by Bessie Smith, recorded February 16, 1923. From Bessie Smith: 1923; The Chronological Classics 761. I've been blue all day, My man's gone away, He done left his mama cold, For another gal, I'm told. I tried to treat him kind, I thought he would be mine, That man I hate to lose, That's why mama's got the blues. The man I love, he has done left this town, The man I love, he has done left this town, And if it keeps on snowing, I will be Gulf Coast bound. The mailman passed, but he didn't leave no news. The mailman passed, but he didn't leave no news. I'll tell the world he left me with those Gulf Coast blues. Some of you men sure do make me tired, Some of you men sure do make me tired, You've got a mouth full of gimme, a hand full of much obliged. |