Stefan Wirz, Jun 12, 2017
Larry Johnson - Pick Poor Robin Clean
recorded. April 10, 1970 in New York, NY by Nick Perls; Larry
Johnson, voc, g
... this recording first published on and taken from Blue
Goose LP BG 2001 (US 1970) "Fast & Funky" --- in 1996 re-released
on CD by the Baltimore Blues Society, no #
Blue Goose 2001 front cover photo by Peter Vogel...
-snip-
WARNING- The word "coon" in this song can be considered to be an offensive referent for Black people. As such, using that word as a referent for Black people nowadays is very much frowned upon.
****
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part Iii of a multi-part pancocojams series on the pre-Blues song "Pick Poor Robin Clean".
African American vocalist and guitarist Luke Jordan was the first person to record the song "Pick Poor Robin Clean" in 1927. This song may have been sung by Luke Jordan and/or by other people before that date. Interest in this old song has been revived by its inclusion in the 2025 hit Ryan Coogler movie Sinners.
This pancocojams post presents information about Larry Johnson and showcases a YouTube sound file of Larry Johnson's version of "Pick Poor Robin Clean". (Those two sound files contain the same lyrics but slightly different guitar instrumentation.)
The lyrics of Larry Johnson's version of "Pick Poor Robin Clean" are included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/luke-jordan-pick-poor-robin-clean-take.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases the first recording of "Pick Poor Robin Clean" in 1927 by Luke Jordan.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/geeshie-wiley-elvie-thomas-pick-poor.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases the 1931 recording of "Pick Poor Robin Clean" by Geechie Wiley and Elvie Thomas.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/ryan-cooglers-2025-sinners-movie.html for Part IV of this pancocojams series. That post showcases the version of the song "Pick Poor Robin Clean" that is part of Ryan Coogler's 2025 movie Sinners.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/05/online-comments-about-overall-meaning.html for Part V of this pancocojams series. That post presents online excerpts and comments about the meaning of the song "Pick Poor Robin Clean".
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Larry Johnson for his musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT LARRY JOHNSON
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Johnson_(musician)
"Larry Alonzo Johnson[1] (May 15, 1938 – August 6, 2016) was
an American blues singer and guitarist.[2]
Life and career
Johnson was born in Wrightsville, Georgia.[1] His father was
a preacher who traveled extensively. This led to Johnson being exposed to blues
records by Blind Boy Fuller, who inspired Johnson to learn the rudiments of
guitar playing. He served in the Navy between 1955 and 1959, before relocating
to New York City. After his befriending Brownie and Stick McGhee, Johnson found
employment recording with Big Joe Williams, Harry Atkins, and Alec Seward. The
latter gave Johnson an introduction to Reverend Gary Davis.[2]
Johnson's first single release was "Catfish Blues" / "So Sweet" (1962).[3] His first album was produced by iconic blues writer/producer Sam Charters on Prestige Records entitled The Blues/A New Generation (PR 7142), in 1964. Hank Adkins was his second guitarist on this record. He made numerous live appearances with Davis over that decade. In 1971, Johnson released Fast and Funky, but his live playing gradually reduced. A couple of low key albums appeared in the 1980s, before Johnson received more regular live work in the 1990s, particularly in Europe. Whilst there his output included Railroad Man (1990) and Blues for Harlem (1999). Two Gun Green followed in 2002.[2]
Johnson died on August 6, 2016, aged 78, in a nursing home in Harlem, New York.[3]"
****LYRICS OF LARRY JOHNSON'S VERSION OF "PICK POOR ROBIN CLEAN"
You bet I pick poor robin clean
You bet I pick poor robin clean
Pick his head. Pick his feet
I woulda pick his body but it wasn’t fit to eat
Oh I pick poor robin clean
Pick poor robin clean
And I be satisfied there’s my family
Get off my money and don't get funny
'Cuz I'm from Georgia, not far from Florida
I’m gamblin' for Sadie ‘cuz she’s my lady
I'm a hustling coon, that's just what I am
You bet I pick poor robin clean
Pick poor robin clean
Pick his head. Pick his feet
Ooh child I woulda pick his body but it wasn’t fit to eat
Oh I pick poor robin clean
Pick poor robin clean
And I be satisfied with my family
Oh, didn’t that jaybird laugh
When he picked poor robin clean
Pick his head, Pick his feet
Woulda pick his body but it wasn’t fit to eat
Oh, I pick poor robin clean
Oh, I pick poor robin clean
And I’ll be satisfied with my family.
You betta I pick poor robin clean
Pick poor robin clean
Pick his head, Pick his feet
Woulda pick his body but it wasn’t fit to eat
Oh, I pick poor robin clean
Oh, I pick poor robin clean
And I’ll be satisfied with my family.
-snip-
This is my transcription from this sound file. Additions and corrections are welcome.
****
This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
No comments:
Post a Comment