Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow / Cokey Flo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: GUEST,Coolhanduke
Date: 10 May 11 - 09:53 AM

Thanks everyone for searching for this tune. At least I've got an inkling of the content. Perhaps I'll write a tune. My old friend Bob Kenyon of Nevada City CA told me I should learn the tune, that it was appropriate to this time (10 years ago). Bob had played clarinet and alto sax with Turk Murphy in the 30s and early 40s. His Navy ship was torpedoed in WWII and his face was reconstructed. He could never play again. Again, thanks. Your efforts serve well his memory. Dan Scanlan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 07:26 AM

Lucky Luciano. The Man Who Organized Crime in America By Hickman Powell. Introduction by Charles Gutzner and afterword by Ed Becker. Book Review By John William Tuohy - includes:

"...twenty-eight eccentric prostitutes that were also used by the State to bring Luciano down; Street people like Cokey Flow Brown, a morphine and opium addict, whom the presiding judge allowed to down a few shots of brandy during her testimony to keep the shakes from overwhelming her. Oddball or not, in the nine hours of her testimony, not one of Luciano's razor sharp trial lawyers could trap her in a lie or an inconsistency. "

If there ain't a ballad about this gal - one of our guys ought to do one. Song challenge????

I'm assuming that "Cokey Flow" is a typo - there are several others in the web page. All other references I've found show as "Cokey Flo" as in Florence. An occasional "Coke-y Flo" turnes up, but I've found nothing on "Cokey Flow."

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 05:59 AM

Last clicky would have been more helpful going to the note itself, instead of to the "front page."

Try 1997 Bucknell alumni notes instead.

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Nov 01 - 05:56 AM

Lin In Kansas above reported a B24 named "Cokey Flo" with link to picture. In service ca. 1934 - 1945, mainly in England.

Listed as Cokey Flo - Florence Brown (gangster mistress) in a compilation of "nicknames."

Reportedly, at Lucky Luciano's trial beginning May 11, 1936, "three pimps and several madams, one known as "Cokey Flo" turned state's evidence." Reported HERE and elsewhere. This would most likely be material for a ballad - 1936 to about 1940?

A report of a Florence "Cokey Flo" Hohnbaum Harvey '39, in alumni association notes for Bucknell class of 1940 is probably spurious - a nickname given because of news current during her college days.

A later report from 1997 Bucknell alumni notes indicates that this latter "Cokey Flo" was then a resident of The Lees Retirement Community in Medford, N.J.

No luck on music though.

John

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 13 Nov 01 - 06:06 PM

Could this possibly be what the ballad is about? If so, it may be a song the crew knew--there's an email address for the webmaster...

Cokey Flo

Lin

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: Sorcha
Date: 05 Apr 01 - 10:09 PM

OK, I searched "Cokie Flow", "Cokie Floe", "Cokie Flo", Lil Hardin, L.H. lyrics, L.H. songs, and Lil Hardin discography. Found one page that purported to have all "her" songs (as opposed to hers and Louis') and there was no Ballad of (anything) on it........next suggestion?

Lyric snippet would be good...........

Subject: Ballad of Cokie Flow
From: MMario
Date: 05 Apr 01 - 09:53 PM

moved from another thread: From: GUEST,Cool Hand Uke
Date: 05-Apr-01 - 08:10 PM

Looking for "The Ballad of Cokie Flow". I think it was sung by Lil Hardin who was married to Louis Armstrong.