Wooden Joe Nicholas - Holler Blues

[jeffcrom]

Last night I listened to the recently-issued American Music CD Rare & Unissued Masters 1945-1949 by Wooden Joe Nicholas. It's a great addition to the small discography of this raw New Orleans trumpeter.

But I noticed right away that track 15, "(No) Holler Blues," is not the same take as the "Holler Blues" issued on 78, although the notes and discography in the CD booklet make that claim. I've got a copy of AM 534 (and was tickled to find it), and it's not the same.

Trevor Richards' notes point out that the band forgot to do the "holler" strain in the take just released on the CD, hence the slight change in the title. They do the "holler" strain on the 78 take, and the 78 take is distinctive because, in the chorus immediately before the holler, Joe gets the form messed up and leaves out a measure, turning that chorus into an 11-bar chorus.

If Mike Hazeldine's American Music book is to be believed, I have every take of "Holler Blues" on various AM CDs, Dan LP VC-7026, and AM 78 #534 - except the second take from July 6, 1949. (There were two takes recorded that day, and three on July 7.) I played them all today, and they all include the holler. So I suspect that this new take is that second take from July 6 - the only take that had not been issued before. And the 78 take remains unissed by American Music, although it did appear on a Wolf LP and CD at some point.

Not of great interest to many people, I know, but I wanted to get this information on the web.

Edited November 14, 2013 by jeffcrom

[AllenLowe]

always good to have more info about Wooden Joe.

[Big Beat Steve]

I am no great expert on jazz of this style and period but it is always commendable to see these discographical details are followed up and sorted out. This is bound to come in handy somewhere sometime ...

So ... keep up the diligent work!