Bob Wills question

Subject: Bob Wills question
From: GUEST,solidliquid
Date: 02 Jul 02 - 10:16 PM

Hi all,

I'm a huge Bob Wills fan. I've got a recording of him doing "Milk Cow Blues". Now I'm sure he recorded this several times during his career. The version I have has him starting off saying "Ah, a little stroll down to the old barn. First, here comes Pig." I assume he's referring to Hargus "Pig" Robbins, because a piano solo starts up. Then there's a WAY cool three part guitar harmony part, and then the fiddler, instead of singing the lyrics, SCATS along with what he's playing. Just a tremendous recording. But something has been bugging me forever. At the very end, Wills says something that sounds very much like "Saw pie sawed!" And for the life of me I can't figure out what the hell that means. Anybody out there know or have any idea? Any insight or knowledge would be greatly appreciated. It's driving me nuts.

Peace-

solid

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 02:46 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: Trevor
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 04:55 AM

And he was a brilliant fast bowler for England in the seventies.

Oh sorry, that was Bob Willis. (Mind you he did change his name to Dylan).

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: GUEST,(IanB from elsewhere!)
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 05:22 AM

I can't translate it either - but some wonderful Bob Wills versions, including the typical comments in the middle of songs, come from that great band Asleep At the Wheel.

- Ian B

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: GUEST,Gern
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 10:23 AM

I can't say, really, but Wills seemed to like stream of consciousness commentary. His nonstop narrations were just a part of his charm, and probably an annoyance to his hard-working soloists and patient recording engineers. He simply doesn't shut up, as if his enthusiasm cannot be contained. In one cut, he delays the fade-to-black in order to say "Domino" quite deliberately, as if it were relevant to the lyrical content. It wasn't: most likely it was unrehearsed and just fun to say at the time. Some of it is a sort of Texas jive from his ethnically varied influences; some are square dance-inspired remarks. A favorite of mine is his introduction of a band member: "A man after my own heart...with a razor."

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: GUEST,WILLSFAN
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 12:56 PM

, Here's the story on that Bob Wills recording. Feb. 19, 1969 at Bradley's barn, Nashville.
Tommy Jackson kicks it off on fiddle, "Pig" Robbins takes a piano break, with Gene Crownover on steel;
"Tag" Lambert playing lead and Johnny Gimble on electric mandolin; do the three part break, then Tag does the guitar solo in the Jr. Bernard style, and then Gimble does the "scat" singing and fiddle break.
What Bob says at the end is like we used to holler at an old cow in the barn to get her to move, "Saw Pie-eyed Saw!"
You've probably hollered at an old cow or heard someone holler at one that way when they'd be rolling their eyes and jumping around.
You remember the old country saying, "Pie-eyed as an old cow."
Y'all have a good & safe Fourth holiday.
TA

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: GUEST,solidliquid
Date: 03 Jul 02 - 10:55 PM

WILLSFAN,

Thanks for clearing that up. I've been trying to learn that Jr. Bernard type solo, but so far, it has eluded me. (Like so much more). The "Domino" reference I believe refers to Floyd Domino, who was the piano player. I, too, love the "with a razor" comment. I've got the "Ride With Bob" CD from Asleep at the Wheel, and it is a truly GREAT recording. I love the version of "Milk Cow Blues on that album with Tim McGraw and Ray Benson swapping lead vocals, and a TREMENDOUS guitar solo by Tommy Allsup. Floyd Domino plays on that album, and at the end of "Maiden's Prayer", Benson does the "Domino!" thing. Another high point: "Roly Poly" with the Dixie Chicks, starting off with Benson and Gimble (I believe) playing a two part harmony intro at breakneck speed. One of the best albums I've ever bought. For what it's worth, when I first started listening to Wills with all his little vocal asides and "aah-yeahs", it got on my nerves, but now I think it's cool. Wills was a true innovator, and I don't think we'll see his like again. Thanks for all the comments.

peace-

solidliquid

Subject: RE: Bob Wills question
From: Art Thieme
Date: 04 Jul 02 - 12:45 PM

actual historical factoid:

Bob Wills sold his Dallas, Texas restaurant to Jack Ruby, the man who shot and killed Lee Harvey Oswald.

Art Thieme