Bo Weavil Jackson

Last updated
Bo Weavil Jackson
Birth nameprobably James Jackson [1]
Also known asSam Bulter
BornUnknown
DiedUnknown
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instruments

Bo Weavil Jackson (dates and places of birth and death unknown) was an American blues singer and guitarist. [2] He was one of the first country bluesmen to be recorded, in 1926, for Paramount Records and Vocalion Records. On the latter label he was credited as Sam Butler, which has become the name most commonly used to identify him. [3] His 78-rpm records are highly sought by collectors and have been re-released on numerous LP and CD compilation albums. His technique is distinctive for its upbeat tempo, varied melodic lines, and impromptu instrumentals. [4]

Contents

It is widely believed that Jackson was active in Birmingham, Alabama, since he referred to that area in his lyrics, and because that was apparently where the talent scouts found him performing on the street, but he was promoted as originating from North Carolina. [5] According to Eugene Chadbourne, Paramount promoted him as having "come down from the Carolinas". Apart from his 1926 recordings, no further documentation of him exists. [3]

His recordings have been published in both notation and tablature transcriptions, which have enabled contemporary detailed study of his style and technique. [3]

Recordings

As Bo Weavil Jackson, circa September 1926, in Chicago, Illinois [2] [6]
As Sam Butler, September 30, 1926, in New York City [2] [16]

Compilations

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blind Lemon Jefferson</span> American blues musician (1893–1929)

Lemon Henry "Blind Lemon" Jefferson was an American blues and gospel singer-songwriter and musician. He was one of the most popular blues singers of the 1920s and has been called the "Father of the Texas Blues".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Willie Dixon</span> American blues musician (1915–1992)

William James Dixon was an American blues musician, vocalist, songwriter, arranger and record producer. He was proficient in playing both the upright bass and the guitar, and sang with a distinctive voice, but he is perhaps best known as one of the most prolific songwriters of his time. Next to Muddy Waters, Dixon is recognized as the most influential person in shaping the post–World War II sound of the Chicago blues.

Clara Smith was an American classic female blues singer, billed as the "Queen of the Moaners", although she had a lighter and sweeter voice than many of her contemporaries. Clara Smith was not related to the singers Bessie Smith and Mamie Smith.

Samuel Butler may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otis Rush</span> American blues singer and guitarist (1934–2018)

Otis Rush Jr. was an American blues guitarist and singer-songwriter. His distinctive guitar style featured a slow-burning sound and long bent notes. With qualities similar to the styles of other 1950s artists Magic Sam and Buddy Guy, his sound became known as West Side Chicago blues and was an influence on many musicians, including Michael Bloomfield, Peter Green and Eric Clapton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Impressions</span> American soul vocal group

The Impressions were an American music group originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes gospel, R&B, doo-wop, and soul.

"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as simply "The Saints", is a traditional black spiritual. It originated as a Christian hymn, but is often played by jazz bands. One of the most famous jazz recordings of "The Saints" was made on May 13, 1938, by Louis Armstrong and his orchestra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenny Brown (guitarist)</span> Musical artist

Kenny Brown is an American blues slide guitarist skilled in the North Mississippi Hill Country blues style.

"Corrine, Corrina" is a 12-bar country blues song in the AAB form. "Corrine, Corrina" was first recorded by Bo Carter. However, it was not copyrighted until 1932 by Bo Carter, along with his publishers Mitchell Parish and J. Mayo Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Home Chicago</span> Blues standard first recorded by Robert Johnson

"Sweet Home Chicago" is a blues standard first recorded by Robert Johnson in 1936. Although he is often credited as the songwriter, several songs have been identified as precedents. The song has become a popular anthem for the city of Chicago despite ambiguity in Johnson's original lyrics. Numerous artists have interpreted the song in a variety of styles.

Dirty blues is a form of blues music that deals with socially taboo and obscene subjects, often referring to sexual acts and drug use. Because of the sometimes graphic subject matter, such music was often banned from radio and available only on jukeboxes. The style was most popular in the years before World War II, although it experienced a revival in the early 1950s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hellhound on My Trail</span> 1937 single by Robert Johnson

"Hellhound on My Trail" is a blues song recorded by Mississippi Delta bluesman Robert Johnson in June 1937 and released as a 78 rpm single on Vocalion Records that September. It was inspired by earlier blues songs and blues historian Ted Gioia describes it as one of Johnson's "best known and most admired performances—many would say it is his greatest".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Bomar</span> American musician, producer, and film composer

Scott Bomar is a Memphis-based musician, Emmy Award-winning film composer, Grammy-nominated music producer, and recording engineer. Scott Bomar's songs are represented by Downtown Music Publishing.

"My Bucket's Got a Hole in It" is a song widely attributed to Clarence Williams, who obtained a copyright in 1933, although the melody was recorded under various names years earlier. The song became popular performed by Hank Williams for MGM and reached number 4 on the country chart in 1949.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye and Bye We're Going to See the King</span>

"Bye and Bye We're (or, I'm) Going to See the King" is a Christian song from the African-American musical tradition. It is known by a variety of titles, including "I Wouldn't Mind Dying (If Dying Was All)" and "A Mother's Last Word to Her Daughter". It was recorded seven times before 1930, using the preceding titles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I've Got the Key to the Kingdom</span> Single by Washington Phillips

"I've Got the Key to the Kingdom" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1929 by Washington Phillips.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That Black Snake Moan</span> 1926 song performed by Blind Lemon Jefferson

"That Black Snake Moan" is a song written and recorded by American country blues musician Blind Lemon Jefferson. Inspired by singer Victoria Spivey's "Black Snake Blues", the song was released on Paramount Records in 1926, and has since become recognized as a signature composition which exemplifies Jefferson's unconventional melodic style and utilization of double entendres. The song was re-recorded a year later as "Black Snake Moan" for Okeh Records, and both versions have remained accessible through the availability of several compilation albums.

Arthur Charles Laibly was an American record producer and sales manager. He was the first to make commercial recordings of Blind Lemon Jefferson and Skip James, and also recorded many other notable blues performers including Charley Patton and Son House, for Paramount Records in the 1920s and early 1930s.

References

  1. Dixon, Robert M. W.; Godrich, John; Rye, Howard (1997). Blues & Gospel Records, 1890-1943. Clarendon Press. p. 422. ISBN   9780198162391.
  2. 1 2 3 "Sam Butler/Bo Weavil Jackson discography". wirz.de. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Chadbourne, Eugene. Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  4. R. Crumb (2014). R. Crumb's Heroes of Blues, Jazz & Country. Harry N. Abrams. p. 44. ISBN   9781613122525.
  5. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Blues (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 192. ISBN   0-85112-673-1.
  6. "Paramoung 12000 series numerical listing (1922–1927)". www.78discography.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  7. Bo Weavil Jackson You Can't Keep No Brown, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  8. Roll & Tumble Blues You Cant Keep No Brown Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  9. Bo Weavil Jackson You Can' Keep No Brown Test at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  10. Bo Weavil Jackson You Can't Keep No Brown Down at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  11. Bo Weavil Jackson Pistol Blues, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  12. Bo Weavil Jackson When the Saints Go Marching In, composed by traditional at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  13. Bo Weavil Jackson I'm on My Way to the Kingdom Land at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  14. Bo Weavil Jackson Why Do You Moan?, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  15. Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic
  16. "1000–1500 (1926–1930)". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  17. Bo Weavil Jackson Devil and My Brown Blues Test at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  18. Bo Weavil Jackson Devil and My Brown Blues, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  19. Bo Weavil Jackson Heaven Is My View, composed by traditional at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  20. Bo Weavil Jackson Christians Fight on, Your Time Ain't Long at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  21. Bo Weavil Jackson Christians Fight On, Your Time Has Come, composed by traditional at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  22. Bo Weavil Jackson Poor Boy Blues, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  23. Bo Weavil Jackson Jefferson County Blues, composed by Bo Weavil Jackson at AllMusic . Retrieved September 13, 2015.