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The Legends of the Rocking Dutchman - episode 246

The Perfect label

Today I take you to the deepest of the Great Depression - the years 1930-1932. These were bad times for everyone, also for the record companies, and in 1930 and '31 two mergers made one of the two largest record companies of that time, the American Record Corporation (ARC). They released records under many names, and today I spotlight the Perfect label. Their Race series was home to the Famous Hokum Boys, a group of musicians that included Georgia Tom, Tampa Red and Big Bill Broonzy.

Next to some interesting music industry history, I have a few very remarkable records in today's set. A hilarious mocking of the medical profession and the politically engaged blues of Josh White, but most of all, from 1932, what should be classified as the very, very first rock 'n roll song.

Transcript

Playlist

  1. Hokum boys - Black Cat Rag (Perfect 147)
  2. Georgia Tom - The Duck's Yas Yas Yas (162)
  3. Georgia Tom & Jane Lucas - Terrible Operation Blues (169)
  4. Hokum boys - What You Call That (173)
  5. Hokum boys - Pat That Bread (178)
  6. Big Bill Broonzy - Tadpole Blues (179)
  7. Two Poor Boys - John Henry Blues (181)
  8. Two Poor Boys - Shook It This Morning Blues (184)
  9. Sam Collins - New Salty Dog (193)
  10. Beale Street Washboard Band - Forty And Tight (196)
  11. Lucille Bogan - Black Angel Blues (197)
  12. Sam Collins - I'm Still Sitting On Top Of The World (203)
  13. Memphis Night Hawks - Georgia Grind (205)
  14. Big Bill Broonzy - How You Want It Done (207)
  15. Josh White - Bad Depression Blues (208)

Outtro:

  • Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:
  • Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
  • Beale Street Washboard Band - Piggly Wiggly (Perfect 196)
  • Salty Dog Four - Ballin the jack (202)
  • Memphis Night Hawks - Rukus Juice Shuffle (205)
  • Memphis Night Hawks - Endurance Stomp (206)