Classical stringed instruments have been crossing over into other genres from classical for a long time.
The Beatles in the 1960's used them, just one example of bands before and since that have. We're no rock music historians, but this just may be the first time that band members themselves played the stringed instruments of a string quartet, 2 violins, viola, and cello, on a recording. The other examples we can think of usually used outside musicians.
The core players of The Widow Makers, 4 young men that went to music school together, are the ones that play on the recording. They did have to have a few other musicians fill in for the group. These 4 musicians have been playing classical string quartet music together since music school, so it's a natural thing for them to incorporate it into their rock music. Their latest song Baby Gonna Rock Ya is not what you can call innovative or original, but the music is the thing in this song. The words are kind of just along for the ride, in our opinion.
Yeah baby all the mornin' long! Carry it over to afternoon End up the whole damn daylong! Until ya roll over and swoon!
Yeah baby, gonna rock ya! Like you never been rocked before Never ending rockin' and roll Until yer really damn good and sore!
Gonna do it all brash and loud! Non-stop with lotta soul and sound Gonna play it hard and make ya proud The roarin' music will abound!
Yeah baby, gonna rock ya! Like you never been rocked before Never ending rockin' and roll Rock ya til' yer damn good and sore!
All mornin' long! Gonna rock ya! In the afternoon! Gonna rock ya! All damn daylong! Gonna rock ya! Make ya swoon! Gonna rock ya,!
Ya know baby, gonna rock ya! Like you never ever been before Long lastin’ rockin' and rollin’ Til yer really damn good and sore!
Amos Carter's mother, who has played played on a few of his songs, comes out with a recording of her own, Who Needs It?. She asked if instead of Mama Carter as she was credited on other recordings she could use Mams Carter. She's got a passel of Grand kids and they all call her Mams, and of course we agreed.
Amos told us about his Mom:
I grew up hearing Mama play the piano. She played everything; classical stuff like Chopin and Mozart, was a church pianist off and on so a lot of hymns, blues, big band, and especially boogie woogie. She could sit and play just off the top of her head, improvise as she went, something I could never do on the piano. I took lessons when I was a kid, but didn't have much interest in it. Taught me theory and stuff like that, but wasn't into playing much other than picking out tunes. The bass fiddle's my instrument! Bass guitar too. I can improvise a bass line okay, but Mama is her own one-woman band! It's a real joy playing along with her on gigs and recordings, and let me tell ya, she's a real pro! Believes in rehearsing the hell out of stuff until it suits her! With this song she gave us the chords she was going to use, pretty much basic stuff with a few curve balls, and we'd hold down the harmonic backing as she'd riff on the chords and sing as she went! Mama's the real musician in the family, and I'm, glad she's getting her talent recorded!
My Dad died from cancer, and Mama raised the little one, I was 16 at the time, pretty much by herself. I helped all I could, but mostly I went to work and gave her money to help. When all us kids were either out of the house or close to it, she started dating. Didn't have many boyfriends, and she didn't get serious about one 'til this guy in the song. She fond out before they got hitched that he wasn't what he appeared to be, and she wrote this song about some of it. She dumped him quick, but I know she cared a lot about him, so who knows whats he's coming up with next!
For sure Mams has some awesome piano chops, and her singing voice is pretty good too, so we're happy to give her a solo shot!
Had a boyfriend, he was really great Treated me nice, and so sweet I know he loved me without doubt I loved him too, he was such a treat
But he popped the question to me Took me unawares right at first Why he asked was hard to see But then I just thought of the worst!
I can wash his clothes, clean his house! Do the cookin', mop all the floors Wash the windows wipe down the doors He needs a maid, not a damn spouse!
I told him thanks but no thanks I like things the way that they are He got a pained look on his face Brought out the keys to his car
Accused me of not lovin' him Got up headed for the door He said, "Thought you'd jump at the chance! It's what we been dating for!'
Ain't gonna wash your clothes and cook! Ain't gonna clean your dirty house! Don't do windows, wipe down the doors! I won't be your maid, or your spouse!
You know, I was havin' a shred of doubt. Maybe I misjudged him? But what he said next, took care of any doubt!
A woman's sposed to do laundry! Her job to take care of her man! All of it is woman's work Give ya'll another chance so you can!
Oh hell no! Go clean your own damned dirty house! Wash all yer funky underwear! Our relationship boils down to that What in hell do I really care?
He stomped out of my house. Two days later phone's ringin' off the hook. But that's too damned bad! I raised all my kids and took care of a man! Now this time is all about me! Haaaa! Haaaaa! Who needs it? Friendship, yeah. Companionship? Uh huh! Some hanky-panky here and there? Yeah man! But runnin' a maid service? HAHAHA!
The Nude Polka Kings turn their polka instincts to the Halloween holiday with the novel song Don't Smash The Punkins! Polka. The soloist is appropriately 'evil' sounding, even his yodeling has an edge to it. Most of us here at Big And Tall records enjoyed the song, except for one associate.
Whenever we get a sound file of a new song, we have a round table meeting of available associates and discuss it. There is never a song released arbitrarily by us - they all come under scrutiny and a vote. The one dissenting opinion over this song came about the lyrics. First of all, the term 'punkins' instead of 'pumpkins', and to take it even further, it was suggested that since the song is really about smashing jack o' lanterns, it should be named 'Don't Smash The Jack O' Lanterns'. Of course pumpkin is the correct term, but it was pointed out to the dissenter that since this was a novelty song, a certain hominess of style in the lyric was a good thing. Next, as to why they used 'punkin' instead of jack o' lantern, it was also pointed out that what is a jack o' lantern but a type of pumpkin after all? A specific style and use for a pumpkin, but still a pumpkin nonetheless. And the rhyme of 'punkins' and 'youngkins' was also criticized, as the dissenter didn't know what youngkins meant. As was pointed out to him, the meaning of the fabricated word can be derived from the context and poetic license; a young one, a kid. But the lone dissenter stood by their guns, and we brought it up to a vote, with the obvious outcome.
It is the autumn time of year And soon it will be Halloween Trick or treating lots of candy Ghosts and goblins on the scene
Halloweens not just for children Grown ups can enjoy it too Come on out and dance the polka Wear costumes, drink some brew BUT PLEASE...
DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! After they've been carved! DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! Children work so hard If you smash the punkins, then all the youngkins Will have no jack o' lanterns all because of you!
Carving punkins into faces Lighting them evil delight Perfect time to dance the polka In the dark and eerie night! Halloweens not just for children Grown ups can enjoy it too Come on out and dance the polka Wear costumes, drink some brew BUT OH NO...
DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! After they've been carved! DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! Children work so hard If you smash the punkins, then all the youngkins Will have no jack o' lanterns all because of you!
All kinds of costumes that we've seen Witches, goblins, vampires too Women wear some that are skimpy We appreciate the view!
Halloweens not just for children Grown ups can enjoy it too Come on out and dance the polka Wear costumes, drink some brew BUT DON'T DO IT!
DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! After they've been carved! DON'T SMASH THE PUNKINS! Children work so hard If you smash the punkins, then all the youngkins Will have no jack o' lanterns all because of you!
This new song Doomed To Never Last by Gummer Beaudine is a departure from her usual amalgamation of styles like barrelhouse juke joint, country, raunchy, boogie-woogie, a raucous style she uses to good effect in the gin mills she's played in for years. When she first came to Big And Tall Records after a recommendation from an associate, we took live recordings made at her gigs for release. But after a couple of cover songs of our other artists, she began to write her own songs. A lot of her development can be attributed to Big Marv, our general producer and musician. He talked to us about her after recording this song:
Ms. Beaudine will always have a rough edge to her, and that's a big part of her style. For years she sang in nothing but cheap gin mills, some of them so nasty there would be chicken wire in front of the stage so the musicians wouldn't get hit by beer bottles or God knows what else! So she's earned her toughness, and gave as good as she got. She's got a regular circuit now, and the crowds love her. An example of an artist playing to what the crowd likes, and there's nothing wrong with that.
But from the beginning, I saw something more to her than that. It's taken a lot of talking and coaxing for her to change things up once in a while. But when you're used to playing certain music, and confident you can play it well, it can be hard to shift gears. So I was surprised when she came to me with this song. She wrote the whole thing, music and words, as well as worked out the instrumentation. She's known for playing with basically the some group; a piano, saxophone, drums, and her guitar. Once in a while she'd have some extra guitars. But she started to get into using a few different instruments. This song is sparse, and has no piano or saxophone, and includes a violin! She instructed the violinist in what she wanted, and eschewed playing the guitar herself. It's the first time she's been just a singer and not an instrumentalist as well.
The song is a very personal one about a love she lost years ago, something she's not done before with us. The violin sighs and cries, the guitar lays down a steady beat, and her voice! It's got a roughness to it that underlines the pain she still feels about this lost love. I've worked with a lot of other groups and artists, but I'm most proud of Ms. Beaudine's growth. My music instincts were correct; what I saw in her was a fact.
We here at Big And Tall Records like a surprise from an artist! We've got so many talented artists that produce so much quality music! We're lucky!
The men that have been in my life There was some good, there was some bad But the one that I still think of Was the best I ever had
He understood my bitchy ways Never did hold it against me Said that was just the way I was And he truly, really loved me
That was such a long time ago I think 'bout all the days done past He captured my entire heart But it was doomed to never last
We had a few years together Time moved along way too damn fast Our life was easy and loving It makes me dwell on the past
I hold him still in my broken heart All the way to this very day But the memry's starting to fade I don't want it to go away!
Was such a long, long time ago My heart's stuck in the sweet past The time he done captured my heart Doin' my best to make it last
I held him, the day that he died Tried to protect him from all harms But I felt his life slip away From my lovin'...carin'...arms
Delmar Gentry finally makes a return to recording his own music with this song. Don't Miss The Big City Life refers to his move to Flagstaff AZ at the beginning of the year. He turned his back on an extremely lucrative law practice in Cincinnati, OH. He was just burned out representing big corporations and their executives. He was very successful in his practice, was in great demand, and his charges reflected it! He got his success relatively early in his career, and invested much of his money. By the time he turned 40, he began flirting with the idea of leaving the law. But it wasn't until 2 years later that he finally did it, and the breakup of a relationship helped him make up his mind.
He bought the horse ranch from Doyle Harseth and his wife, and ended up letting them build their retirement house on the property, mainly so Doyle could be in contact with the few horses he still had. Delmar kept all of the help, hired more as well. We here at Big And Tall Records are proud to have Delmar as an associate, and if it wasn't for his support early on, there would be no Big And Tall Records. He's become a top notch record producer with his own recording studio he built on the ranch. Delmar has never been shy about talking, so this is his take on how things are going at the ranch:
Never been so happy as I am now! With everything to do at the ranch and the recording studio, I'm busier than I've ever been, even in my old law practice. This song came about after one of the Saturday night communal suppers we had. Had a lot of input, and after a few more Saturday nights of working on it, we all crowded into my recording studio and got to work laying it down! Took a bit to get some folks loosened up to sing, but after a little 'lubrication' folks got into it. Doyle Harseth's bass voice adds a lot to the chorus. Amos Carter was thumpin' his ol' bass fiddle as usual and helping with the singing. Amos continues to work at the ranch, work with him a lot, and we get along right well! Had a surprise when he brought his wife Kaley along, because I didn't know she could sing so well. She took my leads like a pro and help with the solo work. Her voice added a lot to the song, for sure! I asked her why she didn't sing with her husband's band, and she said she's country all the way, and those guys play too much boogie-woogie for her!
We had a riot of a good time recording it, even though it took us until early in the morning to get it down like we wanted. I've spent a lot of long hours in the studio, and I love it! We wanted the song to be happy, even kind of funny in spots, and I think it turned out real good!
Delmar also told us that Marie, his housekeeper and cook, has her mother living with her on the ranch now. And Delmar's father is giving serious consideration to moving there himself! With plenty of acreage, there's room for all!
With the passing of time since spring The horse ranch has really changed A horse breeding trading business To a place that's much rearranged
Got all kinds of folks call this home Like our personal small village We got some horses and dogs too A rural pretty Flagstaff visage
Don't miss the hectic life of law Don't miss the big city days Got many things to keep us busy Like the laid back Flagstaff ways
The place even pays its own way A recording studio in demand With myself as a producer With all kinds of different bands
Don't miss the fat cat rich men Who are sure their shit don't smell More upright people I deal with It's my great pleasure to tell!
Don't miss the big city life Don't miss the traffic or the stink Country life has its own smells But more pleasant we sure do think!
Don't miss the fat cat rich men Who are sure their shit don't smell More upright people I deal with It's my great pleasure to tell!
Keep the horses fed and healthy They're comfortable and happy Go for a trail ride all the tim They all think I'm their Pappy!...
Don't miss the hectic life of law Don't miss the big city days Got many things to keep us busy Like the laid back Flagstaff ways
Most every Saturday night No matter what the weather We all meet up at the ranch house For a big communal dinner
We help Marie with the prep Whether it's steak or Tex-Mex We eat and yak all evening And keep all our whistles wet!
Don't miss the big city life Don't miss the traffic or the stink Country life has its own smells But more pleasant we sure do think!
With Forgotten Bob's song Ain't Nothin' Gonna Go On, Hambone Riley's cover version is perhaps the largest change in style in what Hambone usually plays. Forgotten Bob relates how he got Hambone to expand his style to include R&B:
I sent Hambone the audio file of my song along with the chord chart and lyrics and asked him to create his cover for it. I thought I'd be interesting to compare the versions, especially in light of hearing Amos Carter's cool version. By the way, Amos' Mama is one hell of a piano thumper! Hambone got back to me after a few days and told me the song really didn't fit his style. So I decided to tweak his nose a little. I told him if he meant in the same ol' tired style as his past songs, he's right. But if he wanted to branch out a little from his normal, the possibilities were there. Well, the tweak worked! Hambone's pretty laid back, but that got his hackles raised and he started cussin' me out! Hah!
So I let him ramble, then told him about an idea I had. Make a bigger production out of it, get a brass band to back you up, and just sing. Don't play the guitar along with it. He kind of uses the guitar to hide behind because of some sort of crazy performance anxiety he's got. The bug eyes in all the pictures of him performing shows the nervousness he has. Well, I suggested maybe if he concentrated on the singing and left the instrumental to some solid studio men he could enjoy himself more. He told me he wants to make music his way and has to lead the others. I told him I know some solid old pros in the business that would do whatever he wanted, can be as anal as he wants! So he agreed.
I set up the recording studio and studio men, and then had to practically drag his ass there! Took him a while to get loosened up, but I was delighted when after the umpteenth take he started getting into it and the musicians followed his lead! Ended up he was delighted with it as much as I was,. and was as relaxed and happy as I've ever seen him in performance! He really made the song his own, and I like his version better than my original!
Hambone removed about half of the verses, and molded the song into something very different than his usual, all with the prodding, encouragement, and advice of his mentor Forgotten Bob!
Got support socks on, ain’t no lie Just ‘nough aspirin to get me by Ask to boogie, ain’t gonna fly Do I have to tell ya the reason why
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Gotta pain in my back and it’s Kept me all awake until dawn
Ain't no wonder why I got the ills I forgot to take all my pills Got the urge but it's just all talk Got nothin' left to walk the walk
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Gotta bad case of the trots I just feel so put upon
I know it's only ten o'clock But I'm all wore out, really shot Could do it all night, never quit Now it takes all night just to do it!
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Ya know that I love ya babe But ain't nothin' gonna go on
Look out pretty Mama Wish somethin' was gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Wish somethin' was gonna go on Ya know that I love ya babe But there ain't nothin' gonna go on
As told in the post about Forgotten Bob's original version of his song Ain't Nothin' Gonna Go On, the song chord sheet and lyrics were sent to other Big And Tall Records artists to see if anyone would like to make their own version in their given styles. One of those takers was Amos Carter who offers up his Boogie Woogie version of the song. Amos has his mother sit in on the recording on piano. Rumor has it that Mama Carter is coming out with a song of her own soon!
There's also a Blues version of the song done by Hambone Riley that is a marked departure in style for Hambone, more of a R&B style with a full brass section backing him up!
Got support socks on, ain’t no lie Just ‘nough asprin to get me by Got all kinds a aches and pains Think I gotta an ankle sprain
Ask to boogie, ain’t gonna fly Do I have to tell ya the reason why I got the old man fidgets All the way down to my digits
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Gotta pain in my back and it’s Kept me all awake until dawn
Ain't no wonder why I got the ills I forgot to take all my pills Someone said the first thing to go Don't have a clue what it was though
Got a bad case of the heart burn Eat the wrong stuff won't ever learn Got the urge but it's just all talk Got nothin' left to walk the walk
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Gotta bad case of the trots I just feel so put upon
I know it's only ten o'clock But I'm all wore out, really shot Could do it all night, never quit Now it takes all night to do it!
Snack all night and watch some TV Catch old movies, just you and me Now I just lost all of my class All it does is give me bad gas!
Look out pretty Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Ain't nothin’ gonna go on Ya know that I love ya babe But ain't nothin' gonna go on
Look out pretty Mama Wish somethin' was gonna go on Said lookout cute Mama Wish somethin' was gonna go on Ya know that I love ya babe But there ain't nothin' gonna go on
