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Lyr Add: James Alley Blues

10 Nov 99 - 10:25 PM (#134458)
Subject: James Alley Blues
From: Stewie

JAMES ALLEY BLUES

Times ain't now nothing like they used to be
Oh times ain't now nothing like they used to be
And I'm tellin' you all the truth, oh take it for (from) me

I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
I been havin' a much better time with these girls now I'm so hard to please

'Cos I was born in the country she thinks I'm easy to rule
'Cos I was born in the country she thinks I'm easy to rule
She try to hitch me to her wagon, she want to drive me like a mule

You know I bought some groceries and I paid the rent
Yes I buy some groceries and I pay the rent
She try to make me wash her clothes but I got good common sense

I said if you don't want me why don't you tell me so
You know, if you don't want me why don't you tell me so
Because it ain't like a man that ain't got nowhere to go

I've been givin' you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt
I'll give you sugar for sugar, let you get salt for salt
And if you can't get 'long with me well it's your own fault

How you wanted me to love you and you treat me mean
How do you want me to love you, you keep on treatin' me mean
You're my daily thought and my nightly dream

Sometimes I think that you too sweet to die
Sometimes I think that you too sweet to die
And another time I think you oughta be buried alive ^^ Richard 'Rabbit' Brown – recorded New Orleans La 11 March 1927 Vi 20578

Source: Reissue on Various Artists 'Times Ain't Like They Used To Be: Early American Rural Music Vol 2' Yazoo CD 2029. Alice Stuart made a recording in which she adapted the words and turned it into a fine women's blues ('All the Good Times' Arhoolie LP F4002). More recently, Robin and Linda Williams pinched some of Brown's words for the title track of their 'Sugar for Sugar' album (Sugar Hill SHCD 1052) with no credit at all given to him.

This surely must be one of the greatest blues of all. The final couplet alone is worth a hundred blues. Rabbit Brown was a native of New Orleans who recorded a handful of marvellous blues in 1927. He had a gentle voice and was an excellent guitarist. He grew up in the same James Alley between Gravier Street and Parido Street where Louis Armstrong was born. Some of his blues are scattered throughout various CD compilations and his complete recordings are available on the Document label.

11 Nov 99 - 07:34 AM (#134544)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: James Alley Blues
From: Roger in Baltimore

Stewie,

This one is definitely a favorite of mine. I have it on the Harry Smith Anthology of Folk Music. I read (hear) the second verse as:

I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
I done seen better days but I'm puttin' up with these
Could'a had a better time with these women down in New Orleans.

And the last verse is a classic, but I love the line, "You're my daily thought and my nightly dream." You don't see that coming and it is such a dear thought.

Roger in Baltimore

11 Nov 99 - 05:44 PM (#134753)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: James Alley Blues
From: Stewie

Roger,

I had a listen to the song on the Anthology in case it was some other take (though only one take is listed in Godrich & Dixon), but it is the same as that on Yazoo. I cannot hear anything like what you suggest for the third line of the second verse. If what I have transcribed is incorrect, it is very close - certainly there is no way in the world that he sings the words 'New Orleans' in that line.

Regards, Stewie.

12 Nov 99 - 03:29 PM (#135171)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: James Alley Blues
From: Roger in Baltimore

Stewie,

On another thread, I had a brilliant insight (IMHO). Some of these blues lyrics are acoustic Rorschach Tests (you know, those psychological tests where they show you an ink blot and you tell them what it looks like). I'll go listen again, but there is a way to hear it that way and I'm living proof and that's how I perform it.

I also have somewhere a "modern" version of the song. Some current performers did their versions of songs off the Harry Smith Anthology. I suspect their lyrics are a little clearer, but could be just as wrong as mine.

Thread Creep: I remember hearing Canned Heat do a song and thinking it was very unique to put a flute solo in it. When I listened to Harry Smith I found out they stole the lick dead on from the "pipes" solo.

By the way, do you play this song? I think Brown does it in open C. I have been unable to figure out that little riff he uses.

Roger in Baltimore

12 Nov 99 - 05:58 PM (#135229)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: James Alley Blues
From: Stewie

Roger,

I agree that deciphering the lyrics of old blues can be a bit hit or miss at times. Canned Heat also nicked the tune and panpipes instumental of Henry Thomas' 'Bull Doze Blues' for their hit 'Going up the Country'. Blind Owl Wilson had a vast knowledge of the blues and Bob Hite had a legendary collection.

Unfortunately, I do not play any instrument - my youngest son is the musician in our family. I recite Australian bush ballads and other poetry, but that is the extent of my performance contribution to the folk scene.

Regards, Stewie.