Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)

Subject: Blackbottom Strut
From: Sharon
Date: 05 Feb 98 - 05:39 PM

I'm looking for music for this. I've heard it played, by Dana Hamilton and Esther Kreek. l was told it hasn't been put on paper. Somehow, I can't believe that. Surely, there is no tune that Mudcatters cannot locate someplace. I'd love to learn to play this, and it would be so much easier if I could read the notes......rather than try to play it purely by ear. Thanks for your help.

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Sharon
Date: 07 Feb 98 - 01:15 PM

Just wanted to post this again.......really would like to find music to this ragtime tune. thanks

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From:
Date: 08 Feb 98 - 12:26 PM

Are you sure of the name? I do know of a song called "The Darktown Strutters Ball." Alberta Hunter sang it (among others, I'd assume.)

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Paul Stamler
Date: 10 Feb 98 - 01:42 AM

Nope, she has the title right; "Black Bottom Strut" was recorded by the Three Stripped Gears (a pseudonym for the Mississippi Sheiks?), and covered by the New Lost City Ramblers on "Remembrance of Things to Come" (Folkways). Don't know of a printed source, though.

Peace. Paul

Subject: "Black Bottom Strut"
From:
Date: 12 Apr 98 - 10:16 PM

"Black Bottom Strut" is a mandolin rag originally recorded by the Three Stripped Gears in 1931 according to the liner notes on The New Lost City Ramblers CD Vol. II 1963-1973. I'm looking for the (printed) music to it. Any suggestions where I might find it?

Thanks,

Nathan

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Frank in the swamps
Date: 13 Apr 98 - 12:21 AM

Seems this tune is coming back. Is it the same as one I heard once (don't know where ) called "Blackbottom stomp?

Frank.

Subject: RE:
From: rosebrook
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 03:52 PM

would you settle for a recipe for yummy black bottom cupcakes? (rich cream cheese and chocolate chip filling....mmmm....) Sorry, but this will bring your request to the top for more chance of (more appropriate) response! :)

Subject: RE:
From: Sharon
Date: 14 Apr 98 - 08:00 PM

I asked about this a couple months ago - I was accused of mistaking the title, should be Dark Town Strutters Ball..... I knew better. Esther Kreek has it on her hammered dulcimer recording. I e-mailed her, and she said if I ever found it to let her know. She doesn't think it is in print. I do have her version, which she taught in a hammered dulcimer workshop, if that would help. If you'll e-mail me, and give me your snail mail address, I will send you what I have.

Subject: RE:
From: Nathan
Date: 16 Apr 98 - 11:00 PM

I'll take you both up on your offers - rosebrook, I'd love the recipe; Sharon, if you'll post your e-mail address, I'll send you my snail mail. BTW, Darktown Strutters Ball is a great tune too. I first saw if referenced on the album cover for "The Band" way back in 69(?) which contained a snippet of the verse. I finally found the music this year and now it's a regular part of my repertoire.

Nathan

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From:
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 06:38 PM

Has this anything to do with the dance called the Blackbottom? The reason is I am trying to find out more about this dance and perhaps purchase an instructional video to learn it but so far, I have had little success. I am not sure of why this is.

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Pene Azul
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 07:13 PM

A Google search on blackbottom dance pulls up some references.

PA

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: GUEST,trucker dave
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 07:35 PM

I have an old taped interview with Bukka White that has a song he did on it that he called the "Black Bottom" but that i guess that's no help if you need the sheet music.

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Dale Rose
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:05 PM

Here's my chance to brag about my favorite singer from the olden days. redhotjazz.com has a wonderful page dedicated to Annette Hanshaw. Just click here then slip on down to Blackbottom and click there for a realaudio version she recorded on September 12, 1926 when she was not quite 16 years old. While you are there, check out some of her other stuff ~~ I don't think you'll be sorry.

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: Pene Azul
Date: 13 Jun 00 - 10:27 PM

Thanks so much, Dale. I just love Annette Hanshaw, but didn't know about that page. Everybody, take Dale's advice. If you don't know her by name, chances are you'll recognize her beautiful voice.

PA

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jun 00 - 07:53 PM

Dale, Thank you for the directions. I did not know Henshaw by name but recognized the voice and the songs immediately. What a treat! Also found "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" Someone was looking for that last week. SS

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 15 Jun 00 - 11:22 AM

a) Paul Stamler has it right on the NLCR cover of the Three Stripped Gears recording. b) I have also heard a version of what I call Deep Ellem Blues in which it was the Black Bottom Blues. Same tune, most of the same lyrics. Done in revival string band style by the Bandy Snifters of Minneapolis MN, can't remember who they got it from as my liner notes are home and I am at work.

Subject: RE: Blackbottom Strut
From: GUEST,Jerry Blackman
Date: 15 Oct 00 - 09:52 PM

Dale did a great service. That site of Annette Hanshaw singing is a find.

thanks

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: GUEST,Dotty (guest)
Date: 10 Apr 13 - 12:32 AM

This thread is old so I don't know if this is still active. I am researching Black Bottom Strut & got hand written music from someone which a friend put into ABC & which we then converted to pdf & printed out sheet music. I added notes about how I got it, mentioned NLCR and Esther Kreek, although I haven't heard Esther's recording. I will be happy to share what I have, and especially happy if there is more information about the origin of the tune, if it was composed, and if so, by whom? etc.   I have changed the AABA format to AB format and I've been playing it for the last year, on hammered dulcimer, sharing it at jams, and plan to teach it at a workshop this coming summer. If anyone is still reading this thread and has more information please contact me @[e-mail]. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: GUEST,Marilyn
Date: 22 Jul 13 - 03:12 PM

Dotty Decker taught this class at Evart this year - maybe someone who attended the class can share it.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: cnd
Date: 20 Aug 15 - 11:37 AM

Well thanks to the internet, we all can now hear the original version of the song by the Three Stripped Gears here.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: GUEST,Dotty Decker
Date: 21 Aug 15 - 06:31 PM

Thanks for the original recording, cnd, played in the key of F in that great funky banjo rag style. That version can be seen in the late Stephen Parker's well researched book "Ragtime for Fiddles & Mandolins," copywrited 2006. I changed it to G, which is more hammered dulcimer friendly, & taught it @Evart in 2013. There were a lot of requests for it so I did it again @Midland that year. It is such fun to play on HD though some players think the rhythm in the B part is too hard. I have sheet music & can mail a copy to those interested. Please keep all citation & other info intact if shared. Thanks.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: cnd
Date: 26 Aug 15 - 07:10 PM

Here's a link to the sheet music:

http://i.imgur.com/1pHo7jG.jpg

Thanks to Dottie for generously letting me share it here.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Black Bottom Strut (Instrumental)
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 27 Aug 15 - 12:39 PM

Thanks to Dottie and cnd for putting this music online. I've made a copy and will play it on my piano.

Re: "some players think the rhythm in the B part is too hard."

You can make that easier to play and also more musical by combining some of those repeated eighth notes to make quarter notes of them. That makes the notation easier to follow. It also makes a pleasing contrast between the tickety A part and the mellower B part.

Just because a mandolin has to plunk doesn't mean we all have to plunk.

If anybody needs an example, I can make a MIDI and send it to Joe. But anybody reading this can probably sense where to lengthen the notes by instinct.