[78-L] Phil Harris/Andy Razaf

[Cary Ginell]

Checked my copies of "That's What I Like 'Bout the South" - I have two non-Harris versions, by Bob Wills (Vocalion, 1938) and Cliff Bruner (Decca, 1944). Both show Razaf as the sole writer. All versions that I have by Harris show Harris as the writer. I wonder if Harris and Razaf didn't strike a deal on this, whereby Harris would receive credit on all of his recordings of the song while Razaf got credit on all others plus royalties.

 

Cary Ginell
 
> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 17:29:50 -0500
> From: dlennick at sympatico.ca
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Phil Harris/Andy Razaf
> 
> It's still "Harris" on the 1958 Camden LP.
> 
> dl
> 
> Cary Ginell wrote:
> > I believe I have several. Will check them when I get home.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Cary Ginell
> > 
> >> From: bowiebks at isomedia.com
> >> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> >> Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:16:13 -0800
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Phil Harris/Andy Razaf
> >>
> >> Or maybe "leased" it, and the rights eventually reverted back to the Razaf 
> >> estate?
> >>
> >> Some interesting guesses here...does anyone have a record which contains a 
> >> later version (Asleep At The Wheel, etc.) so they could check the composer 
> >> credit there?
> >>
> >> Taylor
> >>
> >>
> >> ----- Original Message ----- 
> >> From: "David Lennick" <dlennick at sympatico.ca>
> >> To: "78-L Mail List" <78-l at klickitat.78online.com>
> >> Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 2:08 PM
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Phil Harris/Andy Razaf
> >>
> >>
> >>> Is it possible that he bought the song from Razaf?
> >>>
> >>> dl
> >>>
> >>> Royal Pemberton wrote:
> >>>> Credited to Phil Harris on the RCA Victor.
> >>>>
> >>>> On Mon, Nov 9, 2009 at 3:33 PM, David Lennick <dlennick at sympatico.ca> 
> >>>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> Make that *3* versions where Philsy takes sole credit..originally 
> >>>>> recorded
> >>>>> for
> >>>>> Vocalion (3583) in 1937, titled "The Groove Song (That's What I Like 
> >>>>> About
> >>>>> the
> >>>>> South)". Then ARA RM 104 in 1945, then Victor (which version I don't 
> >>>>> have
> >>>>> handy
> >>>>> to check).
> >>>>>
> >>>>> dl
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Taylor Bowie wrote:
> >>>>>> Ken wrote about That's What I Like About The South:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Perhaps he [Harris] did contribute something to the lyrics or music. 
> >>>>>>> Or
> >>>>>>> maybe
> >>>>>>> his celebrity status was seen as a way to boost sales. I've read that
> >>>>>>> some question the legitimacy of Al Jolson's composer credit on some
> >>>>>>> songs suggesting that he forced his way in because of his celebrity
> >>>>>>> status.
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> -- Ken
> >>>>>> There seem to be plenty of cases where a bandleader, promoter, star,
> >>>>> etc.
> >>>>>> was able to add his name to song credits (Ben Bernie, Abe Lyman, 
> >>>>>> Irving
> >>>>>> Mills, etc.) but I've never seen a case where the credit actually 
> >>>>>> seems
> >>>>> to
> >>>>>> change...the labels on the two Phil Harris records give "Harris" as the
> >>>>> only
> >>>>>> song writing credit. But I can't find any current reference on line
> >>>>> which
> >>>>>> gives Harris any credit at all (earned or otherwise) .
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I know the tune was covered by other bands, including Bob Wills. I'd 
> >>>>>> be
> >>>>>> curious as to the composer credit on some of those other records, esp.
> >>>>> the
> >>>>>> earlier ones.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Taylor
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
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