Origins: In the Jailhouse Now

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 07:43 PM

"Jailhouse Blues" copyrighted 1931 by Bessie Smith, renewed 1974 by Frank Music Corporation. Not the same as "(He's) In the Jailhouse Now." See Jailhouse Blues for lyrics.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Jeri
Date: 28 May 02 - 06:55 PM

From The Folk Music Index:
(The index is by no means all-inclusive. If Jailhouse Blues is where the Rodgers song came from, there's GOT to be an earlier recording.)

Jailhouse Blues

Hopkins, Lightning (Sam). Blues in my Bottle, Prestige Bluesville OBC-506, LP (196?), cut# 7

Watson, Doc and Merle. Pickin' the Blues, Flying Fish FF-352, LP (1985), cut# 6 (Jail House Blues)

Wilkins, Robert. Original Rolling Stone, Herwin 215, LP (1980), cut#B.02

In the Jailhouse Now - Rodgers, Jimmie

Bookbinder, Roy; and Fats Kaplan. Git-Fiddle Shuffle, Blue Goose 2018, LP (1975), cut#B.02 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Cooney, Michael. Singer of Old Songs, Front Hall FHR-007C, Cas (1976), cut# 10 (I'm in the Jailhouse Now)

English, Logan. American Folk Ballads, Monitor MF 388, LP (196?), cut#B.03 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Jackson, John. Deep in the Bottom, Rounder 2032, LP (1983), cut# 9 (He's in the Jailhouse Now)

Reed, Bud. Way Out On The Mountain, Folkways FTS 31092, LP (1982), cut# 2

Rodgers, Jimmie. First Sessions, 1927-28, Rounder 1056, LP (1990), cut# 11

Rodgers, Jimmie. Short But Brilliant Life of Jimmie Rodgers, RCA (Victor) LPM-2634, LP (1963), cut# 4

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Jeri
Date: 28 May 02 - 06:36 PM

There's a copyright on Jailhouse Blues (is this the same song?), writers listed are Bessie Smith and Clarence Williams. There's no date on the page.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 May 02 - 05:35 PM

Here's the entry on "IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW NO. 2" from Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy. I'm confused. It seems to indicate that Jimmie Rodgers may have performed an earlier version which might have been traditional?

"Regarding Jimmie's revival of those old songs of American ballad fame, such as 'Frankie And Johnny,' 'He's In The Jailhouse Now' and others, reviewers the country over marveled because of his ability to take those old standbys and make engaging novelties out of them. He made them 'come into their own' . . . 'Jailhouse' was for Jimmie such a surprise hit everywhere—even though it had been done for years—that Mr. Ralph Peer urged him to work out an original song along the same lines for a 'Jailhouse Blues Number 2.' Jimmie did—in about twenty minutes; in fact, while we were waiting for breakfast to be sent up in a hotel in Hollywood. He had it ready for recording the next morning, using the portable equipment Mr. Peer had brought to California for him." —Mrs. Carrie Rodgers

So, what's the song that "had been done for years"?
By the way, Stewie posted most of this same quote on the previous thread - but he apprently got it from a biography of Rodgers.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:41 PM

Rodgers Songs all copyright Peer International Corporation 1928-1948. This was Ralph Peer of Victor. Now PeerMusic Limited. Now part of BMI? You should be able to get the data from them.

They are involved in a number of infringement lawsuits that they have brought against unlicensed users of material copyrighted by them.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 28 May 02 - 03:16 PM

The first recording? BVE41740-2, I'm In the Jailhouse Now, Jimmie Rodgers, April 26, 1928. Doesn't help with the copyright date, however. Rodgers discography

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 May 02 - 12:19 PM

Thanks Chance.

Rick

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Fortunato
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:56 AM

Rick I don't know anymore than you do, but I've emailed Dick Spotswood who does know this stuff. I'll let you know if he comes up with anything. regards, Chance

Subject: In the Jailhouse Now. Earliest copyright
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 28 May 02 - 11:42 AM

Hoping for a bit of Mudcat help here for my friend Mose. He needs the EARLIEST copyright info on the song "He's in the Jailhouse Now".

Almost all the info he's been able to get is from the Jimmie Rogers recording, but he's singing a version more common to that of the Memphis Jugband.

I've tried looking for something about the song prior to the mid-twenties, but I'm a rank amateur when it comes to internet research....so....any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Rick

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In The Jailhouse Now
From: Mark Ross
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 04:36 PM

There's is also a more extenxive & related version by Pink Anderson. The song is obviously from the Afro-American Tradition.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In The Jailhouse Now
From: masato sakurai
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 11:23 AM

Jimmie Rodgers' "In The Jailhouse Now" (full audio) is HERE (Old Time Music from 78s). The Jimmie Rodgers & Webb Pierce versions (full audio) are HERE.

~Masato

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In The Jailhouse Now
From:
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 10:55 AM

Sometimes! 8-) Thanks, Celtic Soul.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In The Jailhouse Now
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 10:43 AM

Thanks one and all!! Wow! You guys are FAST!!!

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Jimmie Rodgers)
From:
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 10:39 AM

IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW
As recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, 1928. (Victor 21245, Bluebird 5223, Montgomery Ward 4721)

1. I had a friend named ramblin’ Bob
Who used to steal, gamble an’ rob.
He thought he was the smartest guy in town;
But I found out last Monday
That Bob got locked up Sunday.
They’ve got him in the jailhouse way downtown.

CHORUS 1. He’s in the jailhouse now.
He’s in the jailhouse now.
I told him once or twice
To quit playin’ cards an’ shootin’ dice.
He’s in the jailhouse now.
YODEL

2. He played a game called poker,
Pinochle, whist, an’ euchre, [pronounced “yoker”]
But shootin’ dice was his greatest game.
Now he’s downtown in jail,
Nobody to go his bail.
The judge done said that he refused a fine.

CHORUS 2. He’s in the jailhouse now.
He’s in the jailhouse now.
I told him once or twice
To quit playin’ cards an’ shootin’ dice.
He’s in the jailhouse now.
YODEL

3. I went out last Tuesday,
Met a girl named Susie.
I told her I was the swellest man aroun’.
We started to spend my money,
Then she started to call me honey.
We took in ev’ry cabaret in town.

CHORUS 3. We’re in the jailhouse now.
We’re in the jailhouse now.
I told the judge right to his face
We didn’t like to see this place.
We’re in the jailhouse now.
YODEL

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: In The Jailhouse Now
From:
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 10:35 AM

Found this site

Oh Brother Where Art Thou Lyrics

Subject: In The Jailhouse Now
From: Celtic Soul
Date: 10 Mar 02 - 10:27 AM

Heya...

I did a search under "I" and "J", and then I used the search word "Jailhouse" but did not find it here. Anyone know the lyrics for this song (made recently famous in the movie "Oh Brother, where art thou"?

Thanks in advance!!

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Roger at Old Songs, Inc.
Date: 04 May 01 - 01:46 PM

Check out Michael Cooney's great rendition of "In the Jailhouse Now" on the new CD compilation from Front Hall. Singer of Old Songs/Still Cooney After All These Years

http://www.andysfronthall.com/fhr.html

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 04 May 01 - 01:22 PM

There are a couple of references to Jimmie Rodgers' 1928 version of "In the Jailhouse Now."

Rodgers was a great artist, but he goes to show you that copyrighting folk material is nothing new. Neither is white artists getting rich on songs they learned from African Americans.

"In the Jailhouse Now" was already a well known song in before that. Blind Blake's 1927 recording was a juke box favorite before Rodgers' recorded it. And I think the version by the Memphis Jug Band may also have been recorded before Rodgers'.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (Guy Clark)^^
From: GUEST
Date: 04 May 01 - 12:08 PM

Guy Clark has some different lyrics in a version he recorded circa 1980:

I had a friend Bill Campbell, who used to rob steal and gamble
And on the side he begged so he mopped up
I told old Bill he shouldn't do it, and Old Bill said that he knew it
So he started beggin' with a bucket instead of a cup

Chorus 3rd line: Well Old Bill really flubbed his dub when he wore a tuxedo to the country club

Old Bill had a friend named Sadie, and she asked if I'd seen Bill lately
No, I don't believe that he's about
Well Old Sadie wet down to the jail, it was just to throw his bail
And she whispered Sheriff, please don't let him out

Chorus 3rd line: While Old Bill's away, Sadies with the Sheriff everyday

Do you remeber the last election? The prohibitionists were in action
Trying to elect themselves a President
Bill Campbell and John Austin drove from New Orleans to Boston
And bought them a bottle in every settlement

Chorus 3rd line: They caught 'em down by the railroad track, Stealin' a train just to haul it back

HTML line breaks added --JoeClone, 16-Nov-01.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: SeanM
Date: 25 Apr 01 - 04:57 AM

I'm used to this one from the ol' Memphis Jug Band. They do the version mentioned by RtS above...While my group does the song, I can't quite remember the lyrics as I'm playing jug for it...

Something in one of the verses about

'Jim Jones he used to mess around
Messed with every gal in town
'Till one day he went and played with Benny's wife
Then Benny slashed him in the face
Now it's all a big disgrace
And now he's jailhouse bound.'

I could probably remember more of the dang lyrics if I wasn't getting so lightheaded playing the jug...

M

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Apr 01 - 12:25 AM

Thread creep - Joe, have you got Suzy Bogguss 'Somewhere Between' on Liberty label? I believe it is still around. It also is a gem. It includes her marvellous performance of 'Night Rider's Lament'.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Joe Offer
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 10:36 PM

Chet Atkins and the amazingly gorgeous Suzy Bogguss did a great recording of this song on their 1994 Simpatico album. Every song on the album is a gem, almost as good as the Chet Atkins - Mark Knopfler album.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: in the jailhouse now
From: ddw
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 10:15 PM

Oops. As soon as I fired that last post I remembered it was Blind Blake, not Broonzy. I've been listening to both a lot lately....

david

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: in the jailhouse now
From: ddw
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 10:04 PM

I noticed on the blue clicky that this was called "In The Jailhouse Now No.2"

Big Bill Broonzy did a version of it with completly different words. I'll try to post them in a couple of hours.

david

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: in the jailhouse now
From: toadfrog
Date: 24 Apr 01 - 08:25 PM

That must be a true folk song, because I remember it with a whole different set of words:

I had a friend named ramblin' Bob.
He used to steal and gamble and rob.
He thought he was the smartest guy around.
But I found out about Monday,
They caught onto him Sunday,
They got him in the jailhouse in the town.

He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now!
Well, they told him once or twice,
Quit playing cards and shootin' dice.
He's in the jailhouse now.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: jofield
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 09:39 AM

Doug, no one could argue that he didn't do a fine job. My personal experience was that on a giant screen, he seemed to be fantastic, but just listening to him on CD, it came off a little more ordinary. Obviously, he did not do his own yodeling -- someone like Dan Tyminski did. BTW, the only lip-synching that made me wince was John Turturro miming the yodeling -- it was like something out of "The Beverly Hillbillies". On the other hand, even for all that caricatured hopping around, the film did remind one that this was once popular entertainment and dance music, and that's good.

James.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler
Date: 13 Feb 01 - 04:42 AM

There's another version which was featured in the musical One Mo' Time and sung then by Vernel Bagneris. I was privieged to see the London production and have the US cast LP. The original of that was one of the blues vaudevillians. I suspect ,possibly, Butterbeans and Suzie- Stewie probably has it at his fingertips, I'm not near my sources.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: DougR
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:44 PM

James, I thought that actor did more than a passable job with the song. I thought he was very good. I think it's a great soundtrack.

DougR

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Robo
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:01 PM

That's one great song, the two of 'em.

Rob-o

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: jofield
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 08:58 PM

Ah, enfin, Stewie. So...I had heard and learned No. 2, while most of the rest of the world -- including les frères Coen -- knows No. 1. Alrighty then. Thank you very much.

James.

Subject: Lyr Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, No. 2 (Rodgers)^^
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 06:32 PM

James, Jimmie Rodgers' first recording of 'In the Jailhouse Now' (1928) has 'Ramblin' Bob'. The lyrics on 'O Brother' follow it fairly closely. Gene has submitted the lyrics of the Rodgers first recording to Cowpie site:

In the Jailhouse Now (No 1)

There is an error in the last line of the second verse - Rodgers sings 'The judge done said that he refused a fine', not 'that he will pay'.

My transcription of Jimmie Rodgers' 'In the Jailhouse Now No 2' (1930) follows:

IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW, No. 2
As recorded by Jimmie Rodgers, 1930. (Victor 22523, Montgomery Ward 4315)

1. I had a friend named Campbell.
He used to rob, steal and gamble.
He tried evr'ything that was lowdown.
He was out tomcattin' one night
When he started a big fight,
Then a big policeman came and knocked him down.

CHORUS 1. He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
I told him over again
To quit drinkin' whiskey; lay off o’ that gin.
He's in the jailhouse now.
(Yodel)

2. Campbell broke jail one day,
Decided he'd go away,
But the pólice met him at the train.
The cop says: "I've come for you."
Campbell says that this won't do
"Because Campbell never was my name."

CHORUS 2. He's in the jailhouse now.
He's in the jailhouse now.
Yes, he broke out.
All over town, the fool walked about.
He's in the jailhouse now.
(Yodel)

3. I met his old gal Sadie.
She says: "Have you seen my baby?"
I told her he was downtown in the can.
She went down to the jail
Just to go his bail.
She says: "I've come down here to get my man."

CHORUS 3. She's in the jailhouse now.
She's in the jailhouse now.
So you can understand
Why old kid Sadie's in the can.
She's in the jailhouse now.
(Yodel)


These are the only recordings that Rodgers made of 'In the Jailhouse'. Gene Autry's cover of 'In the Jailhouse Now No 2' follows the Rodgers lyrics with minor changes such as 'sellin' liquor' instead of 'drinkin' whiskey'.

I hope this helps.

--Stewie.

---

Note:
Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy says "In the Jailhouse Now No. 2" has a 1930 copyright held by Peer Southern Organization. Lyrics are exactly as Stewie transcribed.
-Joe Offer-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSq8mnDH_1o

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:06 PM

Have only ever heard the Pink Anderson version, which I love. It has a verse about a black man who gets mixed up in politics, trying to round up the "coloured" vote -- and votes twice, thereby getting sent to the jailhouse. I wonder if the "white" versions have this verse?

Alex

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: jofield
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 11:04 AM

Merci, Stewie. I read that entire thread -- and I'm still in the dark. I'm trying to get the history of the apparent existence of two Jimmie Rodgers versions with completely different lyrics: "Ramblin' Bob" and "Cambell". As someone pointed out in THIS thread, Jimmie Rodgers recorded a "Jailhouse Now" No. 1 and a No. 2. Are these the two different versions we're talking about? Number 2 doesn't refer to the "Jailhouse Blues" does it?:

Nobody here can sing the jailhouse blues
'Till you've been behind four walls.
...etc.

I've only actually heard Jimmie singing the "Cambell" version -- and everybody else in the country field singing the "Ramblin' Bob" version.

Still waiting for clarification, I remain,

James.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: Stewie
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 09:03 AM

You will find plenty of information on this song in a previous thread - 'Campbell by Pink Anderson'. As King Street Smith pointed out therein, the most comprehensive discussion of the song is in Paul Oliver's 'Songsters and Saints' (which I have since purchased - a great book!).

Campbell thread

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: GUEST,Gene
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 01:56 AM

Jimmie is credited for writing In The Jailhouse Now in 1928

and for writing In The Jailhouse Now No. 2 in 1930

They are two entirely different songs...

Subject: RE: In the Jailhouse Now
From: jofield
Date: 12 Feb 01 - 12:08 AM

Yup, this is essentially the "Ramblin' Bob" version that seems to be the most common, also recorded by Webb Pierce in the '50s. It is "Cambell" version and the relationship between the two that interests me. Someone will shed some light on the mystery...

Subject: Lyr Add: RAMBLING BOB/IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW^^
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 11 Feb 01 - 11:50 PM

My dad used to sing this song back in the 40's only he called it RAMBLING BOB. The first verse was the same as the one you have listed above. The second and third verses with a different course are as follows.

I went out last Tuesday
And I met a gal named Susie
Thought she was the sweetest gal around
She started to call me honey,
Started to spend my money,
We took in every cabaret in town.

I'm in the jail house now,
In the jail house now,
I told that judge right to his face,
I didn't like this smelly place
I'm in the jail house now.

I once played a game called poker,
pinochle, whist, and euchre,
shooting dice was my favorite game,
a game the other night,
ended in a pistol fight,
The police officers came from miles around,

Cap't Bob

Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW (J Rodgers)^^
From: jofield
Date: 11 Feb 01 - 10:54 PM

The Coen Brothers' "Oh Brother" has brought the old Jimmie Rodgers song back on to the airwaves. At his pleading, they let the actor (one of those three-name guys) do his own singing, which is perfectly competent. He sings a version which begins:

[D] I had a friend named Ramblin' Bob
Who used to steal, gamble and rob
He thought he was the smartest guy in [G] town
But I found out last Monday
That Bob got locked up Sunday
They've [A] got him in the [E] jailhouse way down [A] town.

Refrain:
He's in the [D] jailhouse now
He's in the [G] jailhouse now
I [A] told him once or twice
To quit playin' cards and shootin' [A7] dice
He's in the [A] jailhouse [D] now. (Yodel)

[copied from the DT database]

Recently, I got a Jimmie Rodgers songbook, and it gives the same "Ramblin' Bob" version above, as does a Charlie Pride CD I have.

But I learned this tune way back around 1962 right off of an RCA Jimmie Rodgers reissue album, and it went like this:

I had a friend named Cambell,
He used to rob, steal, and gamble,
He'd try any thing that was lowdown.
He was out tomcattin' one night,
Got into a great big fight,
And the town policeman came and knocked him down.

He's in the jailhouse now (2x),
I told him over again
To stop drinkin' whiskey, lay off of that gin.
He's in the jailhouse now.

I learned two more verses, also completely different from the "Ramblin' Bob" version. I prefer the "Cambell" version, but what I really want to know is, What's the story? Did Jimmie Rodgers record it one way and publish another? Did he ever record the "Ramblin' Bob" version? Or did they clean it up for Webb Pierce in the '50s, and then change the sheet music to match? Any information out there?

Thanks, James.

---

Messages from multiple threads combined.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 01:44 PM

I forgot to mention that "TIMES AIN'T LIKE THEY USED TO BE: EARLY RURAL & POPULAR AMERICAN MUSIC, 1928-1935" is available in VHS format from Elderly Instruments./

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 12:32 PM

Stewie, The sound quality of the Clifford Hayes CD is about what you would expect from the 1920's, maybe a little better than average. It includes Sara Martin & Her Jug Band, Whistler & His Jug Band, Old Southern Jug Band, Clifford's Louisville Jug Band, and the Dixieland Jug Blowers. All except Whistler's included Clifford Hayes and Earl McDonald. My favorite tracks are the four by Whistler. On one song, "Jerry O'Mine", he plays lead on a nose flute.

I have the "Times ain't like they used to be" video. The sound quality is not great (understandably) but there is a sound track. Whistler plays gutar and sings "Folding Bed" accompanied by a banjo and three jug players. The video opens with Jimmie Rodgers singing three songs. The rest of the video includes a variety of mostly rural bands and soloist from the 20's and 30's. Worthwhile for anyone who likes old-time music.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Oct 00 - 06:59 AM

Hi Stewie - Ol' King Street sometimes makes mistakes ! The Whistler version was 1924 not '22, sorry. The liner notes you quote are much the same as in the book, but expanded. I see in my Red Lick Records mail order catalogue (they are in Porthmadog, Wales) that there is a DVD (YAZOO YAZDV512) "Times ain't like they used to be - early American rural & popular music" which has footage of Whistlers Jug Band. I know that a film was made of WJB in '30s but I am not clear as to whether it actually has a sound track. Red Lick are at www.redlickrecords.com However,their DVD's may be formatted for use in Europe only, but as YAZOO is a US label there must be a version compatible for the US. Or maybe I'am worrying about nothing here !

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: Stewie
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 09:29 PM

Thanks, KSS. I'll also hunt out the Oliver book. I have Oliver's 2 double LP sets on Matchbox 'Songsters and Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records Vols 1&2', but not the book. I didn't think to look at those. However, Vol 1 has the 1930 Memphis Jug Band recording (with MJB recording as Memphis Sheiks). Oliver's liner note does not give the info you have provided, but he mentions that it was the sort of song Pink Anderson and other black entertainers who worked the 'doctor shows' would have picked up. He notes 'He's in the Jailhouse Now' was very popular 'with its sly observations on carpetbagger politicians and friends in influential places'. He went on: 'Charlie Nickerson, sometime pianist with the Memphis Jug Band (for which Memphis Sheiks is a pseudonymn) sings it, bringing in familiar personalities. Jug bands often played for medicine shows and even for political events'.

According to Godrich and Dixon, the 1927 Jim Jackson recording in Chicago that you mentioned was not issued. However, the recording he did, also in Chicago, a few months later in January 1928 was issued as Vo 1146, backed by 'Old Dog Blue', another song that he had recorded at his first session but also unissued. Incidentally, Oliver's 'Saints and Sinners Vol 1' includes yet another recording of 'Old Dog Blue', this time for Victor, recorded a couple of weeks later in Memphis on 2 February 1928.

You give a 1922 date for Whistler's recording. G&D's earliest date for any recording sessions by Whistler (Buford Threlkeld) is 25 September 1924 - there is no separate listing under 'Threlkeld'.

Earl, what is the sound like on the Document CD? I have a couple of Frog CDs with Clifford Hayes, but they don't include 'Jailhouse'.

Cheers, Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 04:31 PM

A 1924 recording of Whistler and His Jug Band doing "Jail House Blues" is on the CD "Clifford Hayes & The Louisville Jug Bands, Vol 1 - 1924-1926" available right here at the Mudcat Record Shop. Whistler's version sounds more like a vaudeville song. He also votes with his heart and soul.

I never knew Frank Stokes and Jimmie Rodgers were in the same medicine show. That must have been an incredible show. I'll definitely look for that Paul Oliver book.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST,King Street Smith
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:14 AM

If you are interested in the provenance of this song you could look at the book "Songsters & Saints - vocal traditions in race records" by Paul Oliver published Cambridge University Press (UK)1984 Library of Congress catalogue card no 84-1699 There are 3 pages devoted to the song and the author suggests that Jimmie Rodgers may have learnt it from the Afro-American Memphis singer/guitarist Frank Stokes whilst both were working in the same Medicine Show. An Atlanta journalistand stage performer called Ernest Rodgers claims to have heard the song on the radio in 1922. Jim Jackson made a recording of it in 1927 and Whistler (Buford Threlkeld) recorded it 1922.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST,King Street Smith
Date: 27 Oct 00 - 10:06 AM

If you are interested in the provenance of this song you could look at the book "Songsters & Saints - vocal traditions in race records" by Paul Oliver published Cambridge University Press (UK)1984 Library of Congress catalogue card no 84-1699 There are 3 pages devoted to the song and the author suggests that Jimmie Rodgers may have learnt it from the afro-american Memphis singer/guitarist Frank Stokes whilst

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 07:44 PM

Here is a bit more information that may help to answer Earl's query.

Rodgers' biographer, Nolan Porterfield ['Jimmie Rodgers' Uni of Illinois Press 1979] wrote that the 4 recordings made on the morning of 15 February 1928, the first being 'In the Jailhouse Now', were 'all written (or compiled) by Rodgers'.

Porterfield also made the following note to chapter 7 (p 142):

According to Bill Randle, a version of 'Jailhouse' was being sung on the radio as early as 1922 by Ernest Rogers, former 'Atlanta Journal' reporter, stage star, and pop recording artist. See Randle 'History of Radio Broadcasting and Its Social and Economic Effect on the Entertainment Industry' (Ph.D dissertation, Western Reserve University 1966) p 420.

Rodgers' wife, Carrie, was surprised by the success of 'Jailhouse'. She began chapter 34 of her book 'My Husband, Jimmie Rodgers' as follows:

But I found out last Monday
That Bob got locked up Sunday
They got him in the jailhouse
Way down town – he's in the jailhouse now

Regarding Jimmie's revival of those old songs of American ballad fame, such as 'Frankie and Johnny', 'He's in the Jailhouse Now', and others, reviewers the country over marvelled because of his ability to take those old standbys and make engaging novelties of them. He made them 'come into their own'. [Mrs Jimmie Rodgers 'My Husband, Jimmie Rodgers' 1935, p 185. No publisher given.]

Later in the same chapter, Mrs Rodgers wrote:

'Jailhouse' was for Jimmie such a surprise hit everywhere – even though it had been done for years – that Mr Peer urged him to work out an original along the same lines for a 'Jailhouse Blues Number 2'. Jimmie did – in about 20 minutes: in fact, while we were waiting for breakfast to be sent up in a hotel in Hollywood. He had it ready for recording the next morning, using portable equipment Mr Peer had brought to California for him. ['My Husband, Jimmie Rodgers' p 186]

The recording chronology of the versions mentioned in this thread are:

Whistler and His Jug Band 'Jail House Blues' Ge 5614, 25 September 1924
Blind Blake 'He's In the Jailhouse Now' Pm 1256, circa November 1927
Jimmie Rodgers 'In the Jailhouse Now' Vi 21245, 15 February 1928
Jimmie Rodgers 'In the Jailhouse Now No 2' Vi 22523, 12 July 1930
Memphis Jug Band 'He's In the Jailhouse Now' Vi 23546, 21 November 1930
[Information from R.M.W. Dixon and J. Godrich 'Blues & Gospel Records 1902-1943' 3rd Ed Storyville 1982 and Nolan Porterfield 'Jimmie Rodgers]

Evidently, with the Rodgers recording, 'Jailhouse' became one of the earliest 'crossovers'. Porterfield notes that cover recordings were made by several commercial orchestras and jazz bands, including Boyd Senter and His Senterpedes on whose version are heard both Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey.

Pink Anderson made his recordings after 1943. I have not heard the Whistler or Blind Blake recordings. Does anyone have access to these? How do they compare with Rodgers later recording?

Incidentally, the Memphis Jug Band have the election stanza as their opening one and sing:

Next day at the polls, he voted with heart and soul
But instead of voting once he voted twice

That does seem to be quite what Pink Anderson is singing though.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: Stewie
Date: 25 Oct 00 - 02:40 AM

I have found a little more info on this - mainly some quotes from Rodgers' wife, Carrie. As my son is pushing me off the computer in order to play Diablo with a mate, I will post it in the morning.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 02:48 PM

I checked with a folklorist friend is is knowledgeable about many forms of traditional music including blues and he confirms Earl's reference to Lawrence Cohn about Jimmie Rodger's version being later than that of Blind Blake.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: RWilhelm
Date: 24 Oct 00 - 12:47 AM

This is not exactly conclusive but in the book _Nothing But The Blues_ Lawrence Cohn refers to Jimmie Rodgers' "In the Jailhouse Now" as "similar to earlier songs by Blind Blake and radio singer Ernest Rogers."

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Campbell by Pink Anderson
From: Stewie
Date: 23 Oct 00 - 07:30 PM

Earl, as Arkie says, your question about origins is interesting, but I don't know the answer.

In relation to the line in question, Roy Book Binder on 'Live Book ...' introduces the song with an amusing anecdote about Pink Anderson and sings 'Said, "Bill vote across the very top line"'. I think you and Mousethief will agree this is definitely not what Anderson was singing on the Riverside recording. Roy avoids the 'apeyard' puzzle by singing 'graveyard' again.

--Stewie.