(For politics, please scroll down)
I was 2.5 years old when I discovered this song. During Hurricane Hazel while we were on vacation, my parents and I were stranded in West Virginia in a diner with a juke box. Finally, the manager of the diner set the jukebox to play "This Old House" non-stop (1954):
Love that honky tonk piano!
And this one, which sold one million copies of Tennessee Ernie's version faster than any other record release, was another of my early favorites (1955):
The story behind "Sixteen Tons"
Thanks for the memories!
ReplyDeleteI remember 16 tons, Tom Dooley, Streets of Loredo always on the radio...
ReplyDelete16 tons has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it as a child.
ReplyDeleteDad and granddad were coal miners, but not in my lifetime.
They got paid by the ton.
Dad's carbide lamp sits on my mantle.
Merle Travis is a legend. The Travis pick, and Travis picking is named for him, as he is considered the father of that style of finger picking the guitar.
ReplyDeleteThanks to talented men and women like him, a great piece of American folklore has been preserved in song.
Stuart Hamblin's story of how he got the idea for This Old House is downright creepy. Hamblin's another good 'un, as is Tennessee Ernie Ford. What an era.
People today young and old recreate their music and pass it along, and there are whole genres where younger folks write new songs that purposely imitate the old styles.
Long live our Americana folk traditions!
fwiw, Chet Atkins was inspired by Merle Travis, named his daughter Merle. Tommy Emmanuel was inspired by Chet (as were thousands) If you get a chance to see Tommy, I highly recommend it. Plays 300 concerts all over the world every year. Likely he will be close to you at some point. Click on Tours - http://www.tommyemmanuel.com/
DeleteMy mom was a nightclub singer in the 40s in the Detroit area, and sang many songs around the house when I was a child.
ReplyDeleteI DIDN'T KNOW the GUN WAS LOADED
ReplyDeleteThe Andrews Sisters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqgr6ZzB140
Patsy Montana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vSfqR3Hyxc
Oh Miss Effie was her name
Through the west she won her fame
Being handy with the gun
But she drove the men insane.
'Cause she'd whip out her pistol
And shoot most any guy
And sing out this alibi.
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'm so sorry my friend
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'll never, never do it again.
But one night she made a slip
Shot the sheriff in the hip
So the law, it took a hand
And made Effie take the stand.
And she pled, "Oh, your honor
I'll know you'll turn me loose
When you hear my one excuse."
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'm so sorry my friend
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'll never, never do it again.
I didn't know (she didn't know)
The gun was loaded (that the gun was loaded)
But regarding the gun that I toted.
All I did was hold it high
And go (4 simulated firing sounds)
I'll never, never do it again.
Yes, the jury all agreed
That Miss Effie should be freed
But the sheriff's jealous wife
Was indignant (yes, indeed)
So she borrowed a pistol
And shot this village belle
And sang as Miss Effie fell.
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'm so sorry my friend
I didn't know the gun was loaded
And I'll never, never do it again.
I didn't know (she didn't know)
The gun was loaded (that the gun was loaded)
But regarding the gun that I toted
All I did was hold it high
And go (4 simulated firing sounds)
I'll never, never do it again.
NOTE:
The three Andrews Sisters (LaVerne, Maxine and Patty) started their careers during the 1930s. They were born in Mound, Minnesota USA. Interestingly, the
three girls had different vocal ranges, perhaps a bit unusual considering the fact that they were all born within 7 years of each other (soprano, mezzo and contralto). The Sisters were known for their outstanding support of the allied troops during WWII, working onsite as well as recording on V-Discs. They performed over the radio and made numerous personal appearances on TV as well as many charitable functions. They cut over 700 songs, selling over 90 million records.
FT,
DeleteI was introduced to the work of the Andrews Sisters via some of Bing Crosby's tunes. Remember "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"?
Hi, came over from Bunkerville. First comment. Been reading a while. I remember Rosemary and her songs and Ernie and his. And how about this from '52... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb2p7kW2__M
ReplyDeleteThe Unit.. That harmony is fabulous...One of The Ink Spots was about 90 yrs old when he and an entourage came into a club where I sang once in a while...Apparently, he'd.asked to talk to me after my set and so I was guided to his table...where they told me who he was and he complimented me....Man, THAT felt GOOD! :-)
DeleteEd, that your mother was a nightclub singer! Fabulous! And I'll bet you heard a LOT at home....
Z, of course I new here. Yeah I remember the Ink Spots as well.
DeleteBut since you know I come over from Bunkerville you wont be surprised when I say...folks in charge should listen to...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l6vqPUM_FE
:)
that's a terrific tune...thanks for linking it!
DeleteThe Unit,
DeleteHello!
Thank you for adding those two links. I am particularly partial to the work done by the Mills Brothers. Smooth and intricate harmonies.
I'm kind of surprised THIS OLD HOUSE is so peppy, considering the sentiment of the songwriter in that video and the words, you know? I can hear it so plaintively done........but there isn't anything Clooney did BAD!
ReplyDeleteLove 16 TONS!.....
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe Unit.. That harmony is fabulous....I One of The Ink Spots was about 100 yrs old and came into a club where I sang from time to time....asked to talk to me after my set and so I was guided to his table...where they told me who he was and he complimented me....Man, THAT felt GOOD! :-)
ReplyDeleteEd, that your mother was a nightclub singer! Fabulous! And I'll bet you heard a LOT at home....
I'm kind of surprised THIS OLD HOUSE is so peppy, considering the sentiment of the songwriter in that video and the words, you know? I can hear it so plaintively done........but there isn't anything Clooney did BAD!
ReplyDeleteLove 16 TONS!.....
Z,
DeleteFor years as a child, I had no idea what "This Old House" was really about because, as you said, Clooney's version is so peppy.
I was an very young fan
ReplyDeleteAlso liked Tom Dooley but we had the Grayson & Whitter record from the days when fiddle was king in American folk.
Duck,
DeleteI discovered Jimmie Rodgers, long after his death, through my mother's still-playable 78 RPM Hobo Bill's Last Ride. Mom bought that record when the tune was first released in 1929.
Jimmie Rodgers -- real country music!
And, yes, I still have that record and the RCA Victrola on which to play it.