R&B

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #110: Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Comes)

09.04.2012 by Chris

Jump Blues or simply Jump was very popular in the late 1940s and early 1950s. It's an uptempo blues and usually played by smaller combos. With the swing revival in the 1980s and 1990s, also Jump Blues received a boost.

Lindy Hoppers love Jump Blues and the related Rhythm and Blues (the early one) because it's still swinging.

African-American Wynonie Harris (Aug. 24, 1915 – June 14, 1969) was one of the exponents of that energetic genre.

Also known as “Mr. Blues”, he was a dancer, drummer and “blues shouter“, a singer who could shout to be heard over the drums and instruments of the band (especially at times where there were no microphones).

In 1944, Harris was performing in Chicago at the Rhumboogie Club when Lucky Millinder, the black bandleader of one of the best rhythm and blues orchestras that existed, hired him as the new singer.

In the same year, Harris recorded with Millinder's band two sides for Decca. One was “Who Threw the Whiskey in the Well“. The release date was delayed and when the record finally was issued in mid-1945 and became a hit, Harris was long gone from the band.

Harris' debut on record under his own name was in July of 1945. In 1948 he landed a major hit with “Good Rockin' Tonight” and from then, he stayed for four years in the R&B charts with 15 top ten hits in total.

In 1952, his series of successful recordings stopped. The taste of the consumers had changed and it was time for Rock ‘n' Roll. Interestingly, Wynonie Harris made significant contributions to the evolution of Rock ‘n' Roll, with his music, his style and his performances. Elvis Presley was greatly influenced by Harris.

Keep On Churnin' (Till The Butter Comes)

This was not a number one hit, but it's a good song for Lindy Hoppers a typical tune with Wynonie Harris' trademark voice.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B002LHECPO” locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51qWRa1g40L._SL160_.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B002LHNS54″ locale=”us”]Keep On Churnin' (Till The Butter Comes)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Wynonie Harris with Todd Rhodes Orchestra
Recorded: January 9, 1952
Album: [easyazon-link asin=”B002LHECPO” locale=”us”]Greatest Hits[/easyazon-link]
Tempo: 145 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B002LGU45W” locale=”de”]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B002LHNS54″ locale=”us”]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B002LGXO4U” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ eMusic

Do you love to dance to Jump Blues & Rhythm and Blues? 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.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #107: The Spinach Song

19.03.2012 by Chris

American (dirty) blues singer and pianist Julia Lee (Oct. 31, 1902 – Dec. 8, 1958) was best known for her double entendre songs, “the songs my mother taught me not to sing,” as she stated herself.

She began to record for Capitol in 1944. Along with local players from Kansas City, she played on some sessions with Jay McShann, Vic Dickenson, Benny Carter, Red Norvo and Red Nichols.

In 1949, she landed a major hit with a song about vegetables – at first sight…!

I Didn't Like It the First Time (The Spinach Song)

Now, let's have a look at the lyrics:

Spinach has vitamin A, B and D, but spinach never appealed to me
But one day while having dinner with a guy, I decided to give it a try

I didn't like it the first time, it was so new to me
I didn't like it the first time, I was so young, you see
I used to run away from the stuff, but now somehow I can't get enough
I didn't like it the first time, oh, how it grew on me!

I didn't like it the first time, I had it on a date
Although the first was the worst time, right now I think it's great
Somehow, it's always hittin' the spot, especially when they bring it in hot
I didn't like it the first time, but oh, how it grew on me

Drugs? Sex?

It's obvious, that Julia Lee doesn't sing about spinach.

In the 1920s and 1930s, “spinach” was a very common slang word for marijuana. So, we can assume it's a song about smoking pot.

Although, when I was doing some research, I found statements from people who believe, that Lee is singing about sex.

Since we can find the song on many “Reefer” compilations (collections of vintage drug songs), I suppose the song is rather about drugs than sex.

[easyazon-image align=”left” asin=”B000S54VQ6″ locale=”us” height=”160″ src=”https://shuffleprojects.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Julia-Lee-The-Spinach-Song.jpg” width=”160″]Title: [easyazon-link asin=”B000S4OKV8″ locale=”us”]I Didn't Like It the First Time (The Spinach Song)[/easyazon-link]
Artist: Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends
Recorded: 1949
Tempo: 159 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to download the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B006RI2BEW” locale=”de”]Amazon.de[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B000S4OKV8″ locale=”us”]A'zon.com[/easyazon-link] ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B006QXPSAW” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ eMusic

What do you think? Is it a song about drugs or about sex? 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.

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #84: Root Hog Or Die

10.10.2011 by Chris

The Harlem Hamfats were formed in 1936 in Chicago. Their main purpose was backing jazz and blues singers for Decca. But when their first recording “Oh! Red” (also a nice Balboa track…) became a hit, they got a contract by Decca for 50 titles.

None of the musicians came from Harlem as the band title would suggest, nor were they hamfats, a slang expression for indifferent musicians. The brothers Joe and Charlie McCoy were blues players from Mississippi, leader Herb Morand, Odell Rand, and John Lindsay were from New Orleans, Horace Malcolm and drummers Pearlis Williams and Freddie Flynn were from Chicago.

The result was a blend of different blues styles with New Orleans and swing jazz. They are considered as one of the very first bands playing Rhythm & Blues, influencing Louis Jordan and early Muddy Waters.

Root Hog Or Die is a tune with nice harmonies in a minor key, wonderful bluesy and melancholic. The rhythm is perfect for Balboa dancing!

Note: The sound quality of this 2011 compilation is awesome! There is a version on another album, which is slightly faster!

Title: Root Hog Or Die
Artist: The Harlem Hamfats
Recorded: 1937
Album: R&B Pioneers
Tempo: 184 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to prelisten and/or buy the song (mp3/mp4a) at
iTunes — Amazon.de (CH/D/A) — Amazon.com — eMusic*

*not an eMusic member yet? Get 25 Songs with Your 7 Day FREE Trial!

Do you like this song? Do you like the series? Please leave a comment!

Every Monday, I post a new “Song of the Week“.

Song of the Week #83: “Queer Notions” by Fletcher Henderson & His Orchestra
Song of the Week #82: “Bizet Has His Day” by Les Brown
Song of the Week #81: “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” by Duke Ellington
Song of the Week #80: “Shout, Sister, Shout!” by Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Lucky Millinder
Song of the Week #79: “Buns Blues” by Coun Basie & Oscar Peterson

[catalyst_hook_box name=”share”]

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #80: Shout, Sister, Shout!

12.09.2011 by Chris

On one side we have Lucius Venable “Lucky” Millinder (Aug. 8, 1910 – Sept. 28, 1966). He couldn't read or write music notes, couldn't play an instrument, rarely sang, but he had a great music taste, was a genuine showman and a very successful bandleader. His orchestra was one of the best rhythm and blues big band, that existed.

On the other side there is Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 – Oct. 9, 1973) who was a gospel singer, songwriter and guitarist. With a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and jazz and blues music, she was very popular – and controversial – in the 1930s and 1940s. In 1938, Tharbe recorded four songs (all instant hits) for Decca, backed by Lucky Millinder and his orchestra. Tharbe became one of the first commercially successful gospel singer in the U.S.

Shout, Sister, Shout!

Tharpe had signed a contract with Millinder for seven years and in 1941 they recorded the great rhythm and blues hit “Shout, Sister, Shout!”

Title: Shout, Sister, Shout!
Artist: Sister Rosetta Tharpe w/ Lucky Millinder & his Orchestra
Recorded: September 5, 1941
Album: Gospel Blues – The Very Best Of
Tempo: 147 bpm
Dance: Lindy Hop

Click the link to buy the song at
iTunes CH/EU ･ iTunes US ･ Amazon.de ･ A'zon.com ･ [easyazon-link asin=”B001FZCA3Y” locale=”uk”]A'zon.co.uk[/easyazon-link] ･ eMusic

*not an eMusic member yet? Get 25 Songs with Your 7 Day FREE Trial!

Do you like this song? Do you like the series? Please leave a comment!

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

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #25: Shipyard Ramble

23.08.2010 by Chris

Sometimes it is difficult to explain how it feels like when you hear a certain song and you just want to dance to! Do you know this feeling too?

One of these songs making me immediately dance is Shipyard Ramble by Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra.

Erskine Hawkins started playing trumpet when he was 13 and while attending the Alabama State Teachers College, he became the leader of the college band The Bama State Collegians.

1934 the band went to New York and became the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra, where they started making records in 1936. By 1938 they were quite successful and loved by swing dancers and jazz admirers alike.

Hawkins was able to keep the big band together all the way until 1953; some of their later sessions were more R&B-oriented yet never without jazz interest.

(source: allmusic.com)

Shipyard Ramble is a beautiful swinging tune, great for Balboa dancing.

Title: Shipyard Ramble
Artist: Erskine Hawkins and his Orchestra
Recorded: 15.5.1941
Tempo: 196 bpm
Dance: Balboa

Click the link to download the song from: Amazon ･ iTunes

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

Do you like the “Song of the Week” series? Share your thoughts below.

R&B

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #110: Keep On Churnin’ (Till The Butter Comes)

Keep On Churnin' (Till The Butter Comes)

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #107: The Spinach Song

I Didn't Like It the First Time (The Spinach Song)

Drugs? Sex?

Related Songs:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #84: Root Hog Or Die

Related Posts:

DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #80: Shout, Sister, Shout!

Shout, Sister, Shout!

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DJ Chrisbe’s Song of the Week #25: Shipyard Ramble

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