DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #48: Wild Man Blues

This is one of my absolute favourite songs: Wild Man Blues by Johnny Dodds in the version from 1938 (not to be confused with the 1927 version, which sounds totally different).

I'm not exactly sure why, but it gives me the creeps whenever I hear this (main) melody!

Johnny Dodds (1892-1940) was one of the greatest clarinetists in the 1920s beside Sidney Bechet and Jimmie Noone and he worked with the greats of that era.

He was in Kid Ory's band in New Orleans, worked on riverboats and moved to Chicago to play in King Oliver's band.

Together with his brother Baby Dodds he was an important part of Louis Armstrong's Hot Five and Hot Seven. Also he played on recordings with Oliver's Creole Jazz Band, Jelly Roll Morton and Lil Hardin Armstrong.

Dodds stayed in Chicago and almost got forgotten while Jazz was moving to New York in the 1930s. Throughout the thirties he continued to play and record in Chicago, in addition he was running a cab company with his brothers.

Look at this awesome Line-Up: Lil Hardin Armstrong – Piano, Teddy Bunn – Guitar, Baby Dodds -Drums, Johnny Dodds – Clarinet, John Kirby – Bass, Charlie Shavers – Trumpet, O'Neill Spencer – Drums, Washboard, Vocals.

Source: redhotjazz.com

You can find the songs of the series also on my Spotify playlist. Official hashtag of the series: #djcsotw

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