The Mule Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Guy I just met who lives in New Orleans told me some totally outrageous stories about blues piano player James Booker. If he can be described in one sentence it is: Black, gay, one-eyed, drug-addict piano prodigy. Based on what this guy told me I have to run right out and pick up some sides. Anybody know about him and, if so, have any recommendations? Eastwood seemed to have skipped him in his "Blues" documentary.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 I got some various 45s and stuff, nothing on CD, but I think you can find some good compilations. The cat's BAAAD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AfricaBrass Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 I believe I have a cd of the Jerry Garcia band with James Booker from 1976 somewhere.... You might be able to download your own copy from www.furthurnet.org or www.gdlive.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Alfredson Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Isn't this the cat that taught Harry Connick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mule Posted October 30, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Isn't this the cat that taught Harry Connick? Yeah, that's him. This guy I met was telling me a story about one of Booker's last recording sessions. He spoke to the bass player who told him that from where he was standing he could see the ends of the piano's keyboard, but he couldn't see Booker. On one number, Booker was playing some wild solo with his arms outstretched, one hand playing on each end of the piano. Suddenly there was a third sound coming from the piano. The bass player couldn't figure out what Booker was doing so he leaned in to get a better look and saw that Booker's partial dentures had fallen out onto the keyboard and Booker had his face on the keys trying to suck the false teeth back into his mouth. He never stopped playing as he chased his teeth around the keys.... This was just one story from two hours worth that I heard today... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold_Z Posted October 30, 2003 Report Share Posted October 30, 2003 Booker was pretty FLAMBOYANT. There's a lot about him in DR JOHN'S autibiography that came out a couple of years ago. I think it was called UNDERNEATH THE VOODOO MOON. In any event, it was a pretty good book. Booker was a huge influence on Dr. John both singing and playing. Booker reputedly ghosted piano parts for Fats Domino and Little Richard, moreso as a recording expediency, rather than any insufficiency on the part of Fats or Little Richard. He played organ also and played that instrument on YOU CAN'T SIT DOWN, a pretty hip instrumental by the PHIL UPCHURCH COMBO. He recorded under the name Little Booker for Ace. In the late 70s and early 80s there were at least 3 or 4 lps out by Booker. I remember one was called CLASSIFIED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harold_Z Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Oh yeah...in addition to all the above...on several photos and on at least one or two lp covers Booker is wearing an eye patch. In additon to all else I guess he had one eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mule Posted October 31, 2003 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 Dig this: According to this guy I was talking to, Booker claimed he lost his eye to Ringo Starr's drug dealer after some dispute over money/drugs. That's why he wore an eyepatch with a star on it.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John L Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 (edited) James Booker could flat out play. There were a number of great individual New Orleans R&B pianists. Booker was the real virtuoso of the bunch. He could do what everyone else did and more. There are several CDs of his around. The one on Rounder, for example, is excellent: "New Orleans: Piano Wizard: Live!" Edited October 31, 2003 by John L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medjuck Posted October 31, 2003 Report Share Posted October 31, 2003 I have a different Rounder cd (can't think of the title right now) and some live tapes a N.O. friend of mine made. I can make copies if you like. I've alwasy given connick the benefit of a dopubt because of his Booker connection. Booker was the real deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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