Lester Young

Samuel “Sammy” Blythe Price (Oct. 6, 1908 – Apr. 14, 1992) was a blues and boogie-woogie-based pianist and bandleader.

He first learned to play alto saxophone (another source states alto horn) in his home town before he started to study piano in Dallas.

During 1927-1930, he was a singer and Charleston dancer with Alphonso Trent‘s band. In 1929, he recorded one solitary side under the title of “Sammy Price and His Four Quarters.”

After a few years in Kansas City, he lived in Chicago and Detroit before he settled in New York.

In 1938, Price became the house pianist for Decca in New York and played on countless blues sides, mostly with singers such as Trixie Smith and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

He led his own band on records in the early 1940s. In 1948, Price played at the Nice Festival with Mezz Mezzrow. 

During the 1950s he spent time both in Texas and New York, playing clubs and recordings. Most notable was his partnership with Henry “Red” Allen which lasted a decade. Also in the 1950s, he played on many rock & roll sessions.

Sammy Price was active until near his death in 1992, more than 60 years!

The Goon Drag (Gone Wid De Goon)

As mentioned before, in the early 1940s, he led his own band called Texas Blusicians (or: Texas Bluesicians) on records which also included Lester Young and Buddy Johnson on one session in April 1941. [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]The Goon Drag[/easyazon-link] is one of the recorded sides.

The line-up is excellent: Shad Collins & Buddy Johnson (t), Don Stovall (as), Lester Young (ts), Sammy Price (p), Dough Jones (b) and Harold “Doc” West (d).

I don't know, what the title exactly means or where it comes from. But who cares when the song is great!? 🙂

It's not a spectacular one with rhythm or energy changes or crazy solos. It's a tune with a lot of feeling in it, which leaves plenty of room to improvise on the dance floor.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B001BHWLD0″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Eys10ASrL._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]The Goon Drag (Gone Wid De Goon)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Sam Price & His Texas Blusicians
Recorded: April 3, 1941, New York City, Decca
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHWLD0″ locale=”us”]I Can't Get Started – Lester Young[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 140 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B002CI9BW6″ locale=”de”]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001BHUZYM” locale=”us”]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B002CIEVWG” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ eMusic

Do you like this song? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.
You can find the songs also on my Spotify playlist or on 8tracks.

Related Songs:

Song of the Week #7: “No More Love” by Buddy Johnson
Song of the Week #51: “Jack, I'm Mellow” by Trixie Smith
Song of the Week #75: “Blue Lester” by Lester Young
Song of the Week #80: “Shout, Sister, Shout!” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe w/ Lucky Millinder
Song of the Week #105: “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” by Ella Fitzgerald w/ Chick Webb