Greg sings a Washboard Sam song at the 2023 French Quarter Festival. Watch until the end to see the size of the crowd. I'm not sure why the resolution in this video was so low. My camera has a mind of its own sometimes.
Thanks, James. It seems this 16-bar a-a-b-a song was recorded in the key of C by Robert Clifford Brown (a.k.a. Washboard Sam) in 1940. Tuba Skinny have kept it in C. It fits (in its structure) into the same category of songs as 'Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor', which it closely resembles, and which dates back at least to 1923, when the theme appeared in Handy's 'Atlanta Blues'.
Wow thanks James for this wonderful performance from French Quarter Festival. I love this tune so much. I am happy that the crowd was so enthusiastic. Have a great Weekend. Best wishes to you Dave 👋
There was recently an article in the New York Times about the NOLA jazz scene which didn't mention Tuba Skinny but so many of the Reader Comments to the article not only mentioned Tuba Skinny, but raved about the band and said it was the best around by far. Kind of amazing that so many NY Times readers knew about the band.
so good James and Tuba Skinny, thanks. to be featured Saturday, 7/1/23 (2-6 pm) on Radio Soleil Little Haiti, Brooklyn, NY as a kid i had a transcription of Washboard Sam's version, and a privately recorded session by the Mobile Strugglers with Charley Burse. the needle ultimately destroyed it.