[78-L] Double response, "Answer Songs," question

[Cary Ginell]

Not so fast there. Have you heard his 1953 Decca sessions with the Tony Mottola Sextet? Some of these, although commercially orchestrated, are really innovative and interesting. I especially like "Crawdad Song" (De 28935) which sounds like a Jack Fascinato arrangement with bongos, accordion, and electric guitar. The other side, unfortunately titled "Hound Dog" (not the Leiber/Stoller R&B number - can you imagine Ives doing that???) - which is actually the old vaudeville number "Ya Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dawg Aroun'" has some jazzy teeth whistling throughout (Gerry Teifer??). Don't get me wrong, I have conniption fits when I hear "Little Bitty Tear" and "Holly Jolly Xmas," but sheesh, the guy wasn't all bad after 1950. 

Cary Ginell


> Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 20:18:23 -0400
> From: dlennick at sympatico.ca
> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> Subject: Re: [78-L] Double response, "Answer Songs," question
> 
> Also, he'd gone commercial before the HUAC era. Granted, so had the Weavers, 
> but reluctantly.
> 
> But A Little Bitty Tear is PURE F*****G GARBAGE and Holly Jolly Christmas just 
> sets my teeth on edge, as does everything the guy sang after 1950.
> 
> Quick, somebody say something nice about Leonard Bernstein so I can direct my 
> venom elsewhere.
> 
> dl
> 
> On 7/31/2011 8:09 PM, Cary Ginell wrote:
> >
> > I read the transcript of his testimony before the HUAC when I was researching the Naxos CD I annotated (and that D.L. mastered) and it isn't as horrible as one might think. I think the fact that he testified at all and answered questions honestly is what ticked off the folk music community. His testimony was much more flammable than that of Josh White, who really didn't say anything bad about anyone, yet was blackballed also only because he cooperated.
> >
> > Cary Ginell
> >
> >> Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 14:45:33 -0400
> >> From: dlennick at sympatico.ca
> >> To: 78-l at klickitat.78online.com
> >> Subject: Re: [78-L] Double response, "Answer Songs," question
> >>
> >> Sheesh, isn't anybody offended by what I just wrote about Ives? I would be, if
> >> I liked him (which obviously I don't and never have).
> >>
> >> Oh well.
> >>
> >> On 7/31/2011 1:31 PM, David Lennick wrote:
> >>> Would "Purple People Eater Meets the Witch Doctor" count?
> >>>
> >>> I didn't know about Tex..Burl Ives also recorded that thing (as his descent
> >>> into worse than mediocrity continued unabated, but he was a rat bastard
> >>> informer anyway).
> >>>
> >>> dl
> >>>
> >>> On 7/31/2011 1:08 PM, Dennis Flannigan wrote:
> >>>> The Tex Williams' recording, "CLOSE THE DOOR RICHARD (I Just Saw the
> >>>> Thing)", got me thinking. It's the only answer song that I know responding
> >>>> to two different originals -- "Open the Door, Richard," and, "The Thing,"
> >>>> from the early 1950s. Or is it? That's my question.
> >>>>
> >>>> Are there other, double song answer songs? Seems likely, but can't think of
> >>>> any. Thank you.
> >>>>
> >>>> Dennis
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