The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #168981   Message #4084545
Posted By: Hagman
22-Dec-20 - 02:46 AM
Thread Name: New article on Stagolee and John Henry
Subject: RE: New article on Stagolee and John Henry
A version appears on the recent "Harry Smith 'B'-Sides" compilation from Dust-To-Digital, as Track 19, on Disc 1.

It's described as "Stackalee. Early example of instrumental dance track unearthed, mainstream academics forced to accept evidence of pre-war dance party" "By Frank Hutchison - Harmonica instrumental with guitar. Recorded in 1927. Original issue Okeh 45106."

Eli Smith's frank and unhelpful note reads, "Why did Frank Hutchison, the great W. Virginia guitarist and songster, decide to record a guitar/harmonica instrumental version of this great blues ballad? And why was it then released as the B-side of the vocal version? We do not know."