Tag: Washboard Rhythm Kings

A deep-depression cut from the ragtag Victor studio band called the Washboard Rhythm Kings.

“Georgia on my Mind” was written by Hoagy Carmichael in 1930 and first recorded by his star-studded band on September 15, 1930 (released as Victor 23013). The recording featured Bix, Venuti & Lang, Jack Teagarden, Jimmy Dorsey, Bud Freeman, and Chauncey Morehouse. Due to the huge dip in record sales during the Great Depression, this original recording only sold 3,646 copies.

A year later, the lovable Washboard Rhythm Kings took up the tune and gave it their own spin. Dave Page’s trumpet starts us off, with Jimmy Spencer’s washboard scritching out a steady rhythm. As Eddie Miles begins the vocals, we hear Steve Washington’s banjo joyfully picking along. Brief but pleasant solos on trumpet and sax follow. The intimate small combo and light airy feel of this recording gives the song a real sense of warm joy and spontaneous delight.

While there were a number of other recorded versions of the song in the 1930s: Frank Trumbauer (Jun 1931), Gene Kardos (Jun 1931), Mound City Blue Blowers (Jun 1931), Louis Armstrong (Nov 1931), Mildred Bailey (Nov 1931), Roy Fox (1932), Nat Gonella (1934 and 1937), Quintette du Hot Club de France (1936), Casa Loma Orchestra (1939), Ethel Waters (1939), and Mills Brothers (1939), the song did not gain national prominence as a standard until Ray Charles famously recorded the song over a backdrop of lush strings in 1960.

The Ray Charles recording went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and is probably the most well-known version of the song. Though Willie Nelson also recorded a country version of the song in 1978 that went to #1 on the Billboard Hot Country charts – giving the song even broader appeal. These two popular renditions cemented “Georgia on My Mind” as a true standard in the great American songbook.

That said, I can’t help but adore this simple and unadorned early version of the song.

I don’t have sales figures on the original Victor issue, but similar issues by the Washboard Rhythm Kings in late 1931 / early 1932 sold under 2,000 copies (Victor 22958 = 1,766 copies, Victor 23300 = 1,781 copies, Victor 23326 = 1,496 copies). Thankfully, the record was reissued on the Bluebird label in 1935.

Recorded in Camden, New Jersey on September 23, 1931.
Originally released in 1931 as Victor 23301.
Reissued in 1935 as Bluebird B-6150.

Credits:
Dave Page – trumpet
Ben Smith – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Eddie Miles – piano, vocals
Steve Washington – banjo, guitar
Jimmy Spencer – drums, washboard

Sources:
DAHR
https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/matrix/detail/800036736/BVE-70534-Georgia_on_my_mind
Jazz and Ragtime Records (1897-1942), Brian Rust, 6th Ed
https://archive.org/details/brian-rust-jazz-records-free-edition-6/
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgia_on_My_Mind

This deep depression cut featuring some lovely vocal harmonizing from the Washboard Rhythm Kings arrived courtesy of fellow WRK fanatic Ricky Hernandez (Wacko_Shellacko).

Did WRK ever make a bad record? No, I think not. To paraphrase Vizzini, that would be quite inconceivable. Ever since I heard their absolutely ripping version of “Tiger Rag”, I’ve been a diehard fan. I could add a few more gushing remarks, but I’ll leave you to enjoy the rapturous “Oh! You Sweet Thing!”

Recorded in New York City on December 14, 1932.
Released as Vocalion 1730.

Credits:
Steve Washington – banjo, vocals
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Ghost Howell – bass
Unknown Artist – trumpet
Unknown Artist – clarinet, alto sax
Unknown Artist – alto sax
Unknown Artist – piano
Unknown Artist – washboard

The flip side, “Something’s Gotta Be Done” is excellent too – and I have already made a transfer of it from a British master pressing on the Decca label if you’d like to listen to it here:
https://youtu.be/bMKrXRUP3qQ

Deep depression cut from the Washboard Rhythm Kings that is characteristically both delightfully catchy and infectiously joyful.

Dave Page’s trumpet leads us in – and hot washboard and percussion breaks abound. Ben Smith’s alto heralds a quick solo while the band eggs him on. Jimmy Spencer scats a few verses before the gleeful chorus “Shoot ‘Em in the pants! Shoot ’em in the britches!”. Carl Wade and Dave Page trade solos before a wickedly hot banjo solo from Steve Washington makes a surprise appearance. More solos and hot percussion breaks follow – with hoots and hollers of enthusiastic encouragement from the band.

A fun listen!

Recorded in Camden, New Jersey on September 23, 1931.
Released as Victor 22814. Also released on Bluebird, Sunrise, and HMV.

Credits:
Dave Page – trumpet
Ben Smith – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Eddie Miles – piano
Steve Washington – banjo, guitar
Jimmy Spencer – drums, washboard, vocals

I know I have some WRK fans on the channel – so here is a great one that will resonate with everyone coming after the annual life re-evaluation we do as we write new year’s resolutions.

Lots of unknown players on this track – but Steve Washington delivers an excellent vocal performance with Ghost Howell keeping the rhythm swingin’ on bass.

Recorded in NewYork City on December 14, 1932.

Originally released in the U.S. as Vocalion 1730. Here we have a U.K. master pressing on Decca F.5176.

Credits:
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Steve Washington – banjo, vocals
Ghost Howell – bass
Unknown Artist – trumpet
Unknown Artist – clarinet, alto sax
Unknown Artist – alto sax
Unknown Artist – piano
Unknown Artist – washboard

The Washboard Rhythm Kings were a studio band from the early 30s with no permanent members. When I first heard bass player Ghost Howell belt out the chorus on their wild version of “Tiger Rag” I was hooked on the energy of their performances.

Here we have Ghost on vocals and a scat chorus on the inspired “Some of these Days” from August 19, 1933. Transferred from a very nice master pressing on the UK Brunswick label (Brunswick 02075).

Originally released in the U.S. as Banner 32867, Domino 145, Melotone M-12794, Oriole 2763, Perfect 15823, Romeo 2136, and Vocalion 2688.

Lots of question marks in the credits, but here are a few confirmed players:
John Haughton – trombone
Jerome Carrington – alto sax
Carl Wade – tenor sax
Ghost Howell – string bass, vocals