Solomon Burke - "Cry To Me (1962 Soul music song with a 2002 video, information, and lyrics)

TheGRStars, Jan 24, 2013

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Edited by Azizi Powell This pancocojams post presents information about the American music genre known as Soul music, as well as information about Solomon Burke, a key singer in the emergence of Soul music in the 1960s. This post showcases a YouTube video of Solomon Burke singing his hit song "Cry To Me". Information about the Soul music song "Cry To Me" and information about that song's writer/producer Bert Berns are also included in this post. In addition, this pancocojams post includes the lyrics for "Cry To Me" as sung by Solomon Burke. The content of this post is presented for cultural, historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes. All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to the musical legacy of Solomon Burke. Thanks also to the musical legacy of Bert Berns. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. **** INFORMATION ABOUT SOUL MUSIC
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_music "Soul music is a popular music genre that originated in the African American community throughout the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s.[2] It has its roots in African-American gospel music, rhythm and blues.[3] Soul music became popular for dancing and listening, where U.S. record labels such as Motown, Atlantic and Stax were influential during the Civil Rights Movement. Soul also became popular around the world, directly influencing rock music and the music of Africa.[4] It also had a resurgence with artists like Erykah Badu under the genre neo-soul.[5]

According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of funky, secular testifying".[6] Catchy rhythms, stressed by handclaps and extemporaneous body moves, are an important feature of soul music. Other characteristics are a call and response between the lead vocalist and the chorus and an especially tense vocal sound.[7] The style also occasionally uses improvisational additions, twirls and auxiliary sounds.[7] Soul music reflects the African-American identity and it stresses the importance of an African-American culture. The new-found African-American consciousness led to new styles of music, which boasted pride in being black.[8]

Soul music dominated the U.S. R&B chart in the 1960s, and many recordings crossed over into the pop charts in the U.S., Britain, and elsewhere. By 1968, the soul music genre had begun to splinter. Some soul artists developed funk music, while other singers and groups developed slicker, more sophisticated, and in some cases more politically conscious varieties.[9] By the early 1970s, soul music had been influenced by psychedelic and progressive rock, among other genres, leading to psychedelic and progressive soul. The United States saw the development of neo soul around 1994. There are also several other subgenres and offshoots of soul music.

The key subgenres of soul include the Motown style, a more pop-friendly and rhythmic style; deep soul and southern soul, driving, energetic soul styles combining R&B with southern gospel music sounds; Memphis soul, a shimmering, sultry style; New Orleans soul, which came out of the rhythm and blues style; Chicago soul, a lighter gospel-influenced sound; Philadelphia soul, a lush orchestral sound with doo-wop-inspired vocals; as well as psychedelic soul, a blend of psychedelic rock and soul music.

[...]

Writer Peter Guralnick is among those to identify Solomon Burke as a key figure in the emergence of soul music, and Atlantic Records as the key record label. Burke's early 1960s songs, including "Cry to Me", "Just Out of Reach" and "Down in the Valley" are considered classics of the genre. Guralnick wrote:

"Soul started, in a sense, with the 1961 success of Solomon Burke's "Just Out Of Reach". Ray Charles, of course, had already enjoyed enormous success (also on Atlantic), as had James Brown and Sam Cooke — primarily in a pop vein. Each of these singers, though, could be looked upon as an isolated phenomenon; it was only with the coming together of Burke and Atlantic Records that you could begin to see anything even resembling a movement."[24]...

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INFORMATION ABOUT SOLOMAN BURKE

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Burke 
"Solomon Vincent McDonald Burke (born James Solomon McDonald, March 21, 1936 or 1940 – October 10, 2010) was an American singer who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues as one of the founding fathers of soul music in the 1960s.[2] He has been called "a key transitional figure bridging R&B and soul",[3] and was known for his "prodigious output".[4][5][6]

He had a string of hits including "Cry to Me", "If You Need Me", "Got to Get You Off My Mind", "Down in the Valley", and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love". Burke was referred to honorifically as "King Solomon", the "King of Rock 'n' Soul", "Bishop of Soul", and the "Muhammad Ali of soul".[7][8][1] Due to his minimal chart success in comparison to other soul music greats such as James Brown, Wilson Pickett, and Otis Redding, Burke has been described as the genre's "most unfairly overlooked singer" of its golden age.[9] Atlantic Records executive Jerry Wexler referred to Burke as "the greatest male soul singer of all time".[1][8][10]

Burke's most famous recordings, which spanned five years in the early 1960s, bridged the gap between mainstream R&B and grittier R&B.[11] Burke was "a singer whose smooth, powerful articulation and mingling of sacred and profane themes helped define soul music in the early 1960s."[12] He drew from his roots—gospel, jazz, country, and blues—as well as developing his own style at a time when R&B, and rock were both still in their infancy.[13] Described as both "Rabelaisian"[14] and also as a "spiritual enigma",[15] "perhaps more than any other artist, the ample figure of Solomon Burke symbolized the ways that spirituality and commerce, ecstasy and entertainment, sex and salvation, individualism and brotherhood, could blend in the world of 1960s soul music."[16]

During the 55 years that he performed professionally, Burke released 38 studio albums on at least 17 record labels and had 35 singles that charted in the US, including 26 singles that made the Billboard R&B charts. In 2001, Burke was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a performer. His album Don't Give Up on Me won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003. By 2005 Burke was credited with selling 17 million albums.[13][17][18] Rolling Stone ranked Burke as No. 89 on its 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".[19]...
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Solomon Burke was African American.

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INFORMATION ABOUT BERT BERNS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bert_Berns
"Bertrand Russell Berns (November 8, 1929 – December 30, 1967), also known as Bert Russell and (occasionally) Russell Byrd, was an American songwriter and record producer of the 1960s.[1] His songwriting credits include "Twist and Shout", "Piece of My Heart", "Here Comes the Night", "Hang on Sloopy", "Cry to Me" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love", and his productions include "Baby, Please Don't Go", "Brown Eyed Girl" and "Under the Boardwalk"...

[...]

Early life

Born in the Bronx, New York City, to Russian Jewish immigrants, Berns contracted rheumatic fever as a child, an illness that damaged his heart and would mark the rest of his life, resulting in his early death. Turning to music, he found enjoyment in the sounds of his African American and Latino neighbors. As a young man, Berns danced in mambo nightclubs, and made his way to Havana before the Cuban Revolution.[2]: 23 

Music career

Beginnings (1960–1963)

Shortly after his return from Cuba, Berns began a seven-year run from an obscure Brill Building songwriter to owner of his own record labels. He signed as a $50/week (equivalent to $500 in 2021) songwriter with Robert Mellin Music at 1650 Broadway in 1960. His first hit record was "A Little Bit of Soap", performed by the Jarmels on Laurie Records in 1961. Berns himself had a short-lived career as a recording artist, and in 1961, under the name "Russell Byrd", Berns scored his only Billboard Hot 100 appearance with his own composition, "You'd Better Come Home", which peaked at Number 50.[3] That song would later be recorded by the Isley Brothers, and featured as the B-side of their 1962 single "Twistin' With Linda". Also in 1962, the Isley Brothers recorded "Twist and Shout" on Wand Records, written by Berns and Phil Medley.[1] Berns also hit the charts in late 1962 with the Exciters' "Tell Him" on United Artists, and with Solomon Burke's "Cry to Me" on Atlantic Records....

Atlantic Records (1963–1965)

Berns's early work with Solomon Burke brought him to the attention of Atlantic label chiefs Ahmet Ertegun and Jerry Wexler. In 1963, Berns replaced Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller as staff producer at Atlantic, where he wrote and produced hits for Solomon Burke ("Everybody Needs Somebody to Love"), the Drifters ("Under the Boardwalk" and "Saturday Night at the Movies"), Barbara Lewis ("Baby I'm Yours" and "Make Me Your Baby"), Little Esther Phillips ("Hello Walls," written by Willie Nelson), Ben E. King, Wilson Pickett and LaVern Baker.[1]
-snip-
Bert Berns was a White American. 

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LYRICS - CRY TO ME
(written by Bert Berns, 1961 and first performed by Solomon Burke, 1962)

[Verse 1]
When your baby leaves you all alone
And nobody calls you on the phone
Don't you feel like crying?
Don't you feel like crying?
Well, here I am, my honey
C'mon, you cry to me

[Verse 2]
When you're all alone in your lonely room
And there's nothing but the smell of her perfume
Don't you feel like crying?
Don't you feel like crying?
Don't you feel like crying?
C'mon, c'mon, cry to me

[Bridge]
Whoa, nothing can be sadder than a glass of wine alone
Loneliness, loneliness, such a waste of time, oh oh yes
You don't ever have to walk alone, you see
Come on take my hand, and baby, won't you walk with me?
Whoa yeah

[Verse 3]
When you're waiting for a voice to come
In the night but there's no one
Don't you feel like crying? (Cry to me)
Don't you feel like crying? (Cry to me)
Don't you feel like cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cry (Cry to me) cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-crying? (Cry to me)
Don't you feel like cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cry (Cry to me) cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-cr-crying?


online source: https://genius.com/Solomon-burke-cry-to-me-lyrics

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Visitor comments are welcome. 

Chicago Stepping: Trio Dancing (information, videos, and comments)

Terronce TJ Estell 1 STEP ABOVE, Sep 13, 2009  We just love to have Fun check us out @ www.1stepabove.com

SONG -Sexy Can I

ARTIST -Ray J

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Chicago Stepping and showcases a 2009 video and a 2011 video of trio dancing. In this video, the trio is made up of a man dancing with two women. However, Chicago Stepping trio dancing can also be performed by three men or by two men and one woman etc. *  

Selected comments from showcase video #2's discussion thread are also included in this post. I'm particularly interested in documenting the adjectives such as "smooth",  "classy", and "elegant" that are used to describe this trio's dancing performance.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to these featured dancers. Thanks to the recording artist who is featured in this video and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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*Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/06/the-chicago-stepping-tradition-of-men.html for some examples of three men Chicago Stepping trio dancing together.
  
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/chicago-stepping-information-videos.html for Part I of a 2013 pancocojams series on Chicago stepping. The link for Part II is given in that post.

Editor's Note: Chicago Stepping isn't the same as the steppin'[g] that originated with and is still most closely associated with historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities.
  
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2: Cheryl (Sugarfoot), Kirk, and Melanie winning Trio

sugarfoot4863, April 27, 2011

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHICAGO STEPPING
EXCERPT #1
From http://www.rockcityuniquesteppers.com/id13.html
"A Brief History of Steppin'

Steppin' originated in the 1930's as the Jitterbug. By the 1960's it was known as the Bop, which evolved into a unique style of its own called Steppin' – in the city of Chicago. Steppin' developed a phenomenal era of its own; it is not just a dance but the addictive aura of music, smooth moves, stylish dress (reminiscent of the 1920s) and the mood of a by-gone era. Steppin’ is truly a hypnotic work of art and captivates people of all ages and ethnic groups. As the saying goes: “Steppin' is a way of life.”

The suave rhythm of this dance which incorporates gliding, striding and dipping your partner during the 1950's and 1960's eras, to the popular music of young groups – such as the Temptations and other R&B artists – filtrated the African-American community across the United States. From the fashionable clubs (Peps in Philadelphia, Savoy in Chicago, and now at JT's Bourbon St. in Rockford, IL etc.) to the juke joints (speakeasys), Steppin’ – in the guise of the Jitterbug and the Bop – took root and found acceptance in both Black and White communities.

After the fall of the popular Disco era, the Bop was rejuvenated and became known as Steppin'. The emergence of Steppin’ contests and Steppin' Balls became popular, along with music seemingly reserved for Steppin’. Steppin' swept the nation as a dance that not only depended upon smooth moves and creativity but high fashion (chic dress by both the male and female steppers) to complete its ambiance. Steppin' is as much a part of the African-American community's culture and history as is its music from the early days of Jazz, and Rhythm ‘n Blues up to the current style of Soul and Rap music."...

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EXCERPT #2

From http://thesteadysteppers.com/index.php/about-us/faqs [This link is no longer active.]
"What is Stepping?
Stepping is an urban, partnered dance art form that is indigenous to Chicago, Illinois. Steppin’ should not be confused with fraternity and sorority Greek stepping which is very popular on college and university campuses throughout the country.

What are some of the teaching methods of stepping?
For instructional purposes, counting methods (generally 6-count or 8-count) are used to teach synchronized movements during which times partners clasp hands and face each other. Steppin’ is done to smooth sounds of Jazz, Soul, Funk, R&B, or Rap music."...

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 

These are only a portion of the comments in that discussion thread that described that dancing. 

(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_4KdY-JOCo

2011

1. desuora
"Great dancers, great dance."

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2. webmasterdan
"Wow, I have not watched this one in a while. Still amazing. The actual name of this clip  if I remember correct was 'Atlanta Smooth and it was two versions of it'. This was the short version.  Don't ask me how I know. LOL Peace!!!!!!"

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Reply
3. Betty Williams, 2013
"I love this one, I've been keeping it for a long time. There was another one call "Hot Steppin" that was with it. I lost that one. Bediane"

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4. SacredEarth17
"Effortless!"

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5. DeWanda Evans
"Simply Beautiful"

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6. dadman1957
"Smooth. They look  like they enjoyed dancing together."

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2012

6. C H
"I have searched YouTube and can't find this longer version.  Do you know where it is and could you post it?   This was absolutely beautiful...flawless.  It's always amazed me how some people are good, and then there are those who are outstanding!  'Smooth, indeed they were. Absolutely Awesome!!!"

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7. hazeleyesChicago
"That was HOT!  Very cool and smooth trio.  They danced so well together."

**
8. Anthony Williams
"Damn, that was some smooth dancing, i must say they had their stuff together."

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2013

9. Shay Jackson
"Yyyyyeeeessss they did that so sexy and smooth"

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10. Deborah Sanders
"Flawless is the right word. Incredible too. This guy is truly smooth beyond words. The ladies are simply elegant."

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11. genay33
"This is so smooth. Why don't they show this as a part of our culture rather than that booty shaking mess."

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Reply
12. J P
"I agree this here is timeless and the body language is good between them unity and very classy"

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13. Sonja Graves
"Did I just see three people dip at the same time ."

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Reply
14. Rosalind Williams
"The coldest dip on the planet 12/14/2017"

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Reply
15. Angela, 2020
"@Rosalind Williams   Artistry in motion"

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16. Rosiland M
"that was awesome loved it so classy"

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17. Frostgrl681
"This is very elegant."

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18. valambiguous
"Kem is the artist...Find Your Way...is the title of the song."

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19. yolie turner
"This is the stuff right here.  They are enjoying the dance, each other, the music and the audience can feel this. No hard super cool faces, just smiles and glowing.  He's doing his thing and they are supporting each other. No big show offs and the ladies being used as props. This is stepping at it's finest."

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Reply
20. J P, 2020
"Indeed 👍 smooth and classy my people doing their thing"

**
21.  Nene Cage
"This was absolutely, awesomely BEAUTIFUL! I aspire to be just like them, as graceful and entertaining.  Great job!"

**
22. deborah sanders
"Can't stop looking at this graceful trio. they move as if they are floating on air. Perfection!"

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2014

23. Althea Hence
"These are the best trio steppers I've seen yet. So smooth and elegant, so many people could learn a lot from ur video, very well done !!"

**
24. Felicia Walker-Hoskins
"Cool!"

**
25. L
"They're fabulous, love watching them!"

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REPLY
26. Anthony Ali, 2018
"True playa"

**
27. Jeffery Ellison
"Again second to none cool slick"

**
28. Shary Armstead
"Amazing trio!"

**
29. phire lee
"I wish I could find someone to step with me like this...."

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2015

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2016

30. Brooklyn Chayse
"I adore this video from the beginning to the end as well as the song great choice in everyway especially the ladies and the gentleman what a fabulous style of dance so classy and just simply smooth and elegant how nice great work!!.."

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2017

31. Son of Israel
"Yes do the damn Thang"

**
32. Rosalind Williams
"I give this trio an A+++"

**
33. Rosalind Williams
"This trio is the best of all time"

**
34. awomanwonderful
"Killing that trio! Steppers in the house!"

**
35. spin4u2
"Very smooth and elegant and  they don't really have set rules for dancing with two partners, at least as far as I know, so this  performance required a great deal of skill and creativity on the part of the dancers. Beautiful performance !  I loved watching from start to finish!"

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2018

36. Therone Dawson
"Now this is smooth."

**
37. Charlene Dortch
"He did show love and appreciation for both of those women.. oh my God I fell in love with the trio.."

**
38.  Rosalind Williams
"I've watched this video so many times and it never gets old or boring.10/2018:

**
39. who's who who
"One of the best trio's I've seen.  So classy and smooth."

**
40. Regina Deans
"Do your thing Sir?....Yes Ladies come thru😘"
**
41. Yolanda Wellmaker
" Well Done Steppers! "

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2019

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2020

42. Rita Hendrix
"I was just going through the comments and couldnt believeI hadnt said anything!!!😍😍😍This is soooooooo cool!!!  We used to do this in school rec hall BUT  We were NEVER this graceful!!! So happy to see culture in motion!❤😍❤🎶😙👍🤗"

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43. Rita Hendrix
"I couldnt believe I hadnt said anything because Ive only watched this at least a couple hundred times😆!"

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2021

44. BF6ct
"Back when stepping was fun and less clickish"

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2022

45. Bambi Loketo
"Smooth and chill"

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Donny Hathaway's 1970 Song - "This Christmas" (videos, information, & lyrics

Rhino, Nov. 14, 2018

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision -December 12, 2023

This pancocojams post showcases the holiday song "This Christmas" which was composed in 1970 by African Americans Nadine McKinnor and Donny Hathaway.

This post features the original sound file of  "This Christmas" by Donny Hathaway and an animated video of that song.

In addition, this post showcases a video of this song by Chris Brown.

Information about this song is included in this post along with the song's lyrics.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Nadine McKinnor and Donny Hathaway for composing "This Christmas". Thanks to Donny Hathaway for his musical legacy. RIP.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Donny Hathaway - This Christmas (Official Music Video)

RHINO, December 4, 2020

4,462,322 views • Premiered Dec 4, 2020

You're watching the official music video for Donny Hathaway - "This Christmas" drawn by famed cartoonist Lonnie Milsap. “This Christmas (Duet)” by Donny Hathaway with Lalah Hathaway

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3: This Christmas - Chris Brown

Chris Brown, Sept. 27, 2010

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "THIS CHRISTMAS"
Excerpt #1: 
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/This_Christmas_(Donny_Hathaway_song) 
"This Christmas" is a song by American soul musician Donny Hathaway released in 1970 by Atco Records. The song gained renewed interest when it was included in 1991 on Atco Records' revised edition of their 1968 Soul Christmas compilation album[1] and has since become a modern Christmas standard, with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers reporting that it was the 30th most-performed holiday song of all time.[2]

Phil Upchurch said the song was "absolutely the premiere holiday song written by an African American". It was written by Hathaway and Nadine McKinnor

"This Christmas" was released as a single in 1970, where it saw little success,[5] charting only once on any of Billboard magazine's weekly published music charts. It made Billboard's special Christmas Singles chart on the week of December 23, 1972, peaking at No. 11.[6] In 1991, Atco Records released a revised edition of their 1968 compilation album Soul Christmas that included "This Christmas".

[...]

A cover of the song by Chris Brown, recorded for the 2007 film of the same name, peaked at No. 74 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7][8] Covers by Seal and by American band, Train each went to No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart in 2015 and 2016, respectively.[9][10]"...

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Excerpt #2
From http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2017/12/06/ranking_the_best_versions_of_donny_hathaway_s_this_christmas.html "I Spent 48 Hours Listening to Nothing but Covers of Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas.” Here’s What I Found." By Lawrence Ware, Dec. 6 2017 
"In 1970, just months after releasing his debut album, Everything Is Everything, soul singer Donny Hathaway set his sights on creating something that up to that point hadn’t truly existed: an official Christmas anthem for black America. He found that song when he was connected with songwriter and fellow Chicagoan Nadine McKinnor, who had written the lyrics to what would eventually become “This Christmas” a few years prior. Hathaway orchestrated the arrangement and production, and a holiday classic was born. Their song has become …a staple in the black community…

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LYRICS- THIS CHRISTMAS

(Nadine McKinnor and Donny Hathaway)

[Verse 1]
Hang all the mistletoe
I'm gonna get to know you better
This Christmas
And as we trim the tree
How much fun it's gonna be together
This Christmas

[Chorus]
Fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me

[Verse 2]
Presents and cards are here
My world is filled with cheer and you
This Christmas
And as I look around
Your eyes outshine the town they do
This Christmas

[Chorus]
Fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me, yeah

[Post-Chorus]
Shake a hand, shake a hand now

[Verse 3]
Emm, fireside is blazing bright
We're caroling through the night
And this Christmas will be
A very special Christmas for me, yeah

[Outro]
Merry Christmas
Shake a hand, shake a hand now
Wish your brother merry christmas
All over the land, yeah
Merry Christmas
Merry, merry Christmas
Hey, hey, hey, hey
Merry, merry, merry, merry

Emm, em

Source: https://genius.com/Donny-hathaway-this-christmas-lyrics

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(1940 Blues Song) Vera Hall - Another Man Done Gone (information, sound file, & comments)

frantz1, Uploaded on Jun 12, 2011

****Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides some information about the African American song "Another Man Done Gone".

This post also provides information about Vera Hall and showcases a YouTube sound file of Vera Hall singing the song "Another Man Done Gone". Selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread are also included in this post .

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/09/odetta-another-man-done-gone-sound-file.html for a companion post of Odetta singing "Another Man Done Gone".

The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of this song, and thanks to Vera Hall for her musical legacy. Thanks also to the collectors of this song, the publisher of this example on YouTube, and all those who are quoted in this post.

Also, thanks to Black Lives Matter and all those who are working for systemic change of the United States' criminal justice system.
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Some of the content of this post was originally published on pancocojams in 2015. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/09/vera-hall-another-man-done-gone-sound.htm for that post.

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INFORMATION ABOUT VERA HALL
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Hall
"Adell Hall Ward, better known as Vera Hall (April 6, 1902 – January 29, 1964)[1] was an American folk singer, born in Livingston, Alabama.[2] Best known for her song "Trouble So Hard", she was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 2005.[3]

...John Avery Lomax, ethnomusicologist, met Hall in the 1930s and recorded her for the Library of Congress.[2] Lomax wrote that she had the loveliest voice he had ever recorded.[citation needed] The BBC played Hall's recording of "Another Man Done Gone" in 1943 as a sample of American folk music. The Library of Congress played the song the same year in commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1945, Hall recorded with Byron Arnold. In 1984, the recordings were released as a collection of folk songs entitled Cornbread Crumbled in Gravy."...

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INFORMATION AND LYRICS "ANOTHER MAN DONE GONE"
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=151284 "another man done gone to the county farm", posted by Fred McCormick, 24 Jun 13 - 11:58 AM ,
"Another Man Done Gone was collected from the magnificent Vera Hall Ward of Livingstone, Alabama in 1940 by John Lomax and in 1947 by Alan Lomax. A third recording of her singing it dates from 1950 and was collected by Harold Courlander.

It appears to be a pretty rare song and the only other version of it I've been able to trace was recorded by Harold Courlander from Willie Harris, also of Livingstone, Alabama, again in 1950.*

The text of Mrs Hall's 1940 recording is as follows.

Another man done gone x3
From the County farm,
Another man done gone.

I didn't know his name x4

He had a long chain on x4

He killed another man x4

I don't know where he's gone x4

I'm gonna walk your log (?) x4.

Clearly, as far as Vera Hall's text is concerned, the song is about a prisoner breaking out of the county farm, or conceiveably dying while inside, rather than someone being sent to prison.

You can find it on Rounder CD 1500, A Treasury of Library of Congress Field Recordings. It also appears on the Alan Lomax produced radio programme, Blues in the Mississippi Night."
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"the county farm" = the county prison

Read comments about the meaning of "I'm gonna walk your log" and "walk your load" -an alternative transcription for that line- that are found below in the selected comments from in this sound file.
-snip-
*Here's an excerpt from a 2013 online article that cites other recordings of the song "Another Man Done Gone"

From https://www.knkx.org/post/another-man-done-gone-powerful-tale-woe-chain-gang

"Another Man Done Gone" - a powerful tale of woe on a chain gang" by John Kessler, APR 19, 2013
"Repression of African Americans didn’t stop at the end of the Civil War, and prisons and chain gangs were full of black people arrested for minor violations. This song, “Another Man Done Gone”, tells of the death of a man on one of those chain gangs.

Folklorist Alan Lomax recorded Vera Hall singing “Another Man Done Gone” in 1940, and praised her as having the "loveliest untrained voice [he] had ever recorded."

She sang spirituals and folk songs as well as blues, and is one of the prominent singers from the Depression-era South. Her songs have been performed by Johnny Cash and John Mayall, and her song “Trouble So Hard” was integral to techno-artist Moby’s 1999 multi-platinum single “Natural Blues”.

Her unaccompanied vocal recording of “Another Man Done Gone” is haunting and unforgettable.

New Orleans soul singer Irma Thomas recreated “Another Man Done Gone” on her 2006 cd After The Rain, adding verses related to the destruction in New Orleans following hurricane Katrina.

Harmonica ace Sugar Blue recorded the song in 2006 with just voice voice, harp and drums as a fast paced, acoustic boogie. In live shows, he stretches out a bit more"...

-snip-
Some commenters in that article's discussion thread also noted that Odetta also recorded this song.
A commenter in that article and in the discussion thread for this YouTube song file shared that "Blind Willie Johnson's wife Angeline sings this on an LP with some Blind Willie songs one side, her being interviewed on the other."...
****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS SHOWCASE SONG FILE'S DISCUSSION THREADhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749523cHwyc
(with numbers added for referencing purposes only)
1. Joseph Cowie, 2013

"This actually brought tears to my eyes, with it's beauty. Such a time capsule of that era"

**
2. jacksawhavocm, 2014

"I understand all the lyrics but the last verse. "im gonna work your log" ? "im gonna walk your law" ???"
**
REPLY3. MerlePsyA, 2014
"I'm gonna walk your log -- It means crossing a river, near the waterfall, walking over a fallen log that spans the river. Other versions say, "I'm gonna walk your log down by the waterfall". walking the log is the escape route."
**
REPLY4. jacksawhavoc, 2014
"Wow that's great thank you for sharing your knowledge :)"

**

5. Ahhh800, 2015
"what does walk your log mean in this context ?"
**
REPLY 

6. Enoch524, 2015
"@Ahhh800 Not sure if she says log or load but I'm pretty sure its a tribute to the man in "chains" who died as in saying she is going to "walk his load" as in work for him or continue his work/acknowledge his existence or "walk his log"  meaning continuing his legacy/work/burden in a sense.

Before singing "walk your log/load" she says "I don't know where he's gone" so it could also mean that since he is gone she is going to have "work/walk his load/log" as in pick up his slack making her carry his burden.

A very powerful and haunting song in my opinion."
**
REPLY
7. Carl Fredriksson, 2016
"+1doom777 I think your right. and I'm pretty sure it's load, beautiful acapella"

**
REPLY

8. Sam Spade, 2017
"She says, "I'm gonna walk your load". I think it means that she will take up the dead man's burden."
**

REPLY
9. Carl Fredriksson, 2017
"@Sam Spade yes, thats right"

 **
10. MerlePsyA, 2015

"The first recording of this song is of Vera Hall, collected by Alan Lomax.  She sings "He killed another man".  Later versions have a different edge, a different meaning -- "They killed another man"."

**
11. Paul N., 2016
"BEAUTIFUL Voice I can feel her pain!"
**
12. Monotone, 2017
"Does anyone else think this has a striking similarity to 'Baby Please Don't Go'? Same melody, reoccurring lyrics about county farms, long chains on etc. I believe these songs have the same origin, Hall must have heard somebody sing a version of this that inspired her to sing it, however I haven't found anywhere that connects the two songs sadly." -snip- Here's information about the Blues song "Baby Please Don't Go" from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby,_Please_Don%27t_Go " "Baby, Please Don't Go" is a traditional blues song that was popularized by Delta blues musician Big Joe Williams in 1935. Many cover versions followed, and the song has been described by French music historian Gérard Herzhaft^[1] as "one of the most played, arranged, and rearranged pieces in blues history"."...

**
13. Jude Foote, 2019
"True true blues not doctored in any way this is real stuff sung from the heart with real feeling and painxxxx" ** 14. Kamaar Taliaferro, 2019 "Anybody know... Had this melody been adopted by blues guitar players? Usually in songs titled something like "baby don't go" or some such," **** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

YouTube Sound File: The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 70s (40 records with titles & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the YouTube sound file entitled "The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 70s Unforgettable Soul Music Full Playlist".

The record list (with the record's beginning time on this playlist) is included in this post along with selected comments from the discussion thread of this YouTube sound file.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all song writers, singers, and musicians who are featured in these songs. Thanks also to all those quoted in this post, with a hat tip to Mark Klutcharch for adding the song titles in that sound file's discussion thread. Thanks to Greg Schulz for producing and publishing this mix.

****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 70s Unforgettable Soul Music Full Playlist



Greg Schulz, Nov 6, 2017 [length 2:50:35]
-snip-
Statistics as of February 19, 2020 at 10:54 AM
total # of views- 3,507,961
total # of likes- 32K
total # of dislikes -2.8K
total # of comments

****
RECORD LIST
Here's that record list that was added by Mark Klutcharch, 2019 (reformatted in numerical order from paragraph form for this blog post)
1. What's Goin' On
2. Let's Stay Together 3:48
3. If You Don't Know Me by Now 7:09
4. Just My Imagination 10:30
5. Me and Mrs Jones 14:26
6. Mercy Mercy Me 19:04
7. Midnight Train to Georgia 22:20
8. Rock With You 26:11
9. Best of My Love 29:36
10. Wake Up Everybody 33:18
11. You Make Me Feel Brand New 40:50
12. Distant Lover 46:26
13. Superfly 50:41
14. Close the Door? 54:36
15. Love Train 59:20
16. Lovin' You 1:02:16
17. Have Ya Seen Her 1:06:01
18. Living For the Love of You 1:10:56
19. Always and Forever 1:16:33
20. Backstabbers 1:21:22
21. Don't want you to see me cryin' 1:24:26
22. Killing Me Softly With His Song 1:27:52
23. Tell Me Somethin' Good 1:32:37
24. I'll Be Around 1:37:15
25. Livin' For The City 1:40:27
26. Betcha By Golly Wow 1:44:07
27. Can't Stop 'Til You Get Enough 1:47:53
28. Keep On Dancin' 1:53:57
29. You Know How To Love Me 2:00:00
30. Off The Wall 2:07:34
31. Oh Girl 2:11:21
32. What You Do For Love 2:15:10
33. Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now 2:19:58
34. I Want You 2:23:35
35. We Are Family 2:27:32
36. Shinin' Star 2:30:52
37. Who's That Lady 2:33:43
38. I'm Easy 2:39:16
39. I'll Take You There 2:43:33
40. Love Won't Let Me Wait 2:46:47

****
SELECTED COMMENTS
1. slmeucalesa1, 2018
"Family Barbecue Music........what y'all know about that? :)

**
2. blackpede gurl, 2018
"Best music of all times i was a young girl in watching the grown folks play cards and dominos we will never get those days back 😍💯"

**
REPLY
3. MigGiD B, 2020
"I was just telling some youngsters about our parents card and dominos parties. Those were such wonderful times. Such beautiful people and the absolute best music. I truly miss those days."

**
4. Mduduzi Tshabalala, 2018
"Growing up in the 80's our dads and uncles would serenade us with records like these. RIP to the fallen heroes who taught us to be men and to love unconditionally"

**
REPLY
5. jmalcolmg123, 2018
"What a nice comment"

**
REPLY
6. Artist XX, 2018
"Your welcome young blood"

**
REPLY
7. dean markellos, 2019
"My dad and uncles the same. they gave us the right tools. it is up to us to use them right."

**
REPLY
8. Marilyn Robinson, 2019
"I totally agree! I remember watching soul train on Saturday and watching my uncles showing off their cool dance moves...EVERY Saturday! Families don't do this anymore...so much hate and and competition...so sad."

**
REPLY
9. Felicia Jones, 2019
"Very nice comment!
I think of my late relatives playing these songs during our 4th of July picnics ❤
I miss those innocent times"

**
REPLY
10. Jamie Green, 2019
"And lets not forget the moms, mine would sing Aretha and Gladys etc and take my brothers and I around to singspirations- Amen!

**
11. Stephanie Phifer, 2018
"Nothing like Old School music...#loveit!!!"

**
12. Lecia Elam, 2018
"These days of good ole soul music where you could understand the lyrics, along with harmonizing, angelic voices, I'm so glad I was around to here it all.......lawd have mercy, makes me wanna 😢"

**
13. Gena L., 2018
"When music was absolutely soul touching, thought provoking and pure sounds. R.I.P."

**
14. J R, 2019
"Born in 67....I tell my kids all the time the 70s was the BEST Era to grow up in! I'd give anything to go back to those days!! How many of you remember roller disco at the local rollerskating rink?? Best days of my life growing up! ❤"

**
15. GGs Handsomeboy, 2019
"I remember we walked everywhere, used pay phones to call friends, got rides with our friends from neighbors or family, ate from ice cream trucks, had school talent shows and sockhops on Friday's before school. We actually danced and walked a lot!"

**
16. Midalia Lebron, 2019
"I just love how black music can bring people together so easily like this. Love you all."

**
17. Logan, 2020
"One of the very mixed true Classic Soul collection out there...hit after another hit, oh man...5 stars, all hands down.
This is going to be my favorite audio/video going to and from work everyday. Thanks “Greg Z” for uploading it and taking the time to picked the very best songs!"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (2001 North Sea Jazz Concert Video with Transcriptions Of Her Introductory Remarks)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2001 YouTube video of Eyrkah Badu singing her song "Tyrone" ("Call Tyrone") at the North Sea Jazz Concert (The Hague, Netherlands).

This post also includes my [unofficial] transcription of Erykah Badu's "freedom introduction" that she gave at that concert. My [unofficial] transcription of Erykah Badu's introduction to that version of "Tyrone" that she sang at that concert is also included in this post.

The lyrics to that song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Erykah Badu for sharing this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/erykah-badu-tyrone-live-1997-concert.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (Live 1997 concert -YouTube video & lyrics)".

The version of the song "Tyrone" that Erykah Badu sung at the 2001 North Sea Jazz Concert is slightly different from her original 1997 version whose lyrics are given in that pancocojams post.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Erykah Badu: "Tyrone" (North Sea Jazz 2001)



TheHagueYears, Feb 20, 2015

From Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun World Tour. Live at North Sea Jazz Festival 2001, The Hague, Netherlands - Filmed by Dutch Television (NPS). The background singer in the middle is the wonderful N'Dambi. Tyrone starts at 2:51.
Before that you can witness a spiritual moment earlier in the show.
-snip-
Actually, Erykah Badu doesn't begin singing the song "Tyrone" until 5:03 in this video

Statistics as of January 14 2020 at 5:13 PM EST
total # of views- 2,618,917 views
total # of likes - 32K
total # of dislikes - 1.6K
toal # of comments - 886

****
TRANSCRIPTIONS OF ERYKAH BADU'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS*

[Freedom introduction- starts at the beginning of this embedded video]

"Peace and love, y’all.
How y’all feel?
Sistas, how y’all feel?
Brothas, y’all alright?
Alright.
Imma- I first wanna ask the elders in the house if I can speak freely.
Yes, sir.
Cause I got something I wanna share.
I first wanna thank the Creator for this gift.
Give thanks, yeah.
And I wanna thank y’all for being reflections of this gift.
Yeah.
And um.
Y’all, I been having this dream.
It’s a recurring dream that I been having.
It is that all the people in the world
will one day feel free enough
to be theyself
without giving a damn what nobody else
has to say.
And it seems so far away
But it seems so close.
‘Cause I-I been seein a lot of freedom
and creativity that just makes me feel,
you know, like we gettin to a place where
we can totally be free
to express ourselves.
‘Cause, you know, I just be
anywhere sometimes
and I sometimes I just wanna
throw my hands up in the air
and be like [screams] AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! You know,
‘cause sometimes, it’s a lot of love
and it’s a lot of pain inside
and you just wanna express it. If you feel free
with me this evening, y’all in Amsterdam,
throw your hands up like this
And holla out your own damn name.
Right now.
Erykahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Yeah! Yeah!

Now I suspect that you have just witnessed
the God in you.
That’s how the Creator in you feels.
That’s how, that’ how the Most High wants us
to feel, and wants us to be-
free enough to be who we are.
So when I bring an ankh up here
for 360 degrees of life
or a Bible for the word
or a Holy Koran for the truth
or a candle for light
or some water for purification
or a Buddhist symbol for meditation
or JAH Rastafari
or whatever it is-
I’m only tryin to encourage you.
Freedom.
Freedom, y’all.
It’s the will power that’s broke today, y’all.
We gotta build it back up.
It’s love that’s missin.
And it starts right here.

Junebug, how you feel about that? "

[This portion ends at 2:51]
-snip-
"Junebug" is an old timey colloquial nickname for African American males.

****
Intro to song Tyrone
2:52.
SISTAS, HOW Y’ALL FEEL?
Brothas, y’all alright?
Yeah!
I’m so happy to be here with y’all
I promise I don’t take for granted.
I needed this.
Thank you y’all. Give it up for yourselves.
Yeahhhh! Oww!
Give it up for my band, y’all.
Yeah.
So lemme ask y’all something.
If your little boy ran out into the street
and cars was comin-
Y’ll listenin?
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Call him.
Call him.
Alright. Say if your man, ladies,
if your man has been gone from home
way too long.
You got his cell phone number.
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Call him.
Call him.
Say, ah- say if the rent man, he comes to get the money-
Y’all with me?
Say if the rent man comes to get the money
and you ain’t got it all.
Say you a little short,
you know.
[chuckles] Wait a minute.
If you a little short with the money,
What you supposed to do?
[background singers] - Stall him.
Stall him.
Wait a minute.

[Erykah Badu begins singing a version of her song “Tyrone” [at 5:03 of that embedded video]
-snip-
*These are my unofficial transcriptions of these remarks. Additions and corrections are welcome.

I gave the beginning introduction the title "Freedom introduction" to distinguish it from the introduction to the song "Tyrone". That isn't the official name for those remarks.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (Live 1997 concert -YouTube video & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents information about Erykah Badu and showcases a 1997 YouTube video of Eyrkah Badu singing her song "Tyrone" ("Call Tyrone").

Information about this song is also included in this post.

The lyrics to that song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyright remains with their owners.

Thanks to Erykah Badu for her musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to Erykah Badu for sharing this video on YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/01/erykah-badu-tyrone-2001-north-sea-jazz.html for the pancocojams post entitled "Erykah Badu - "Tyrone" (2001 North Sea Jazz Concert Video with Transcriptions Of Her Introductory Remarks)".

****
INFORMATION ABOUT ERYKAH BADU
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erykah_Badu
"Erica Abi Wright (born February 26, 1971),[1] known professionally as Erykah Badu (/ˈɛrɪkə bɑːˈduː/), is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Badu's career began after opening a show for D'Angelo in 1994 in Fort Worth; record label executive Kedar Massenburg was highly impressed with her performance and signed her to Kedar Entertainment.[1] Her first album, Baduizm, was released in February 1997.[2] It spawned three singles: "On & On", "Next Lifetime" and "Otherside of the Game". The album was certified triple Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[3] Her first live album, Live, was released in November 1997 and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA.[3]

[...]

Influenced by R&B, 1970s soul, and 1980s hip hop,[1] Badu became associated with the neo soul subgenre in the 1990s along with artists like D'Angelo.[7] Badu has been called the queen of neo soul. Her voice has been compared to jazz singer Billie Holiday.[8][9][10] Early in her career, Badu was recognizable for her eccentric style, which often included wearing very large and colorful headwraps."...

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "CALL TYRONE"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyrone_(song)
"Tyrone" is a song by singer Erykah Badu. It was released as the lead single in support of her album Live and does not feature on her debut album Baduizm. The song was recorded professionally during a Badu concert and is the version sent to radio. The song has been referenced in other media, most notably in the film Next Friday (1999), when Tyrone (Deebo's accomplice/younger sibling) is making a fake call at a restaurant. The song title is also referenced by Beyoncé in the song "Kitty Kat" off her second album B'Day and in the rap of 3LW's hit single "No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)," as well as R. Kelly in the song "When a Woman's Fed Up" from its 1998 double album R.

Release and reception
Tyrone was played in heavy rotation on radio, although the song failed to chart on either Billboard's R&B or pop singles chart. The song reached #1 on R&B's airplay chart.[1]"...

****
From https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-tyrone-lyrics
"About 'Tyrone'
Erykah told the Power 105 Breakfast Club that her most famous song was “a total freestyle” that she made up on the spot and just happened to record.

Erykah has had enough with her no-good, do-nothing man and is kicking him out of the house. Tyrone isn’t actually the boyfriend here: Tyrone is the boyfriend’s homeboy, and Erykah suggests that he “call up Tyrone” to help him move his sh&t* out of her house.

The boyfriend put his friends above her, disrespected her, and basically acted like a scrub. Since he loves Tyrone so much, maybe Tyrone can help him carry his things out: but he can’t call Tyrone on Erykah’s phone, because he never helped her with the bill.

Some have suggested that this song is about Andre 3000 of Outkast, an allegation that he vehemently denies in his song “A Life in the Day of Benjamin Andre.”
-snip-
*This word is fully spelled out in this article and in the lyrics given below.

Also, because pancocojams is a family friendly blog, the n word in the lyrics is also given with modified spelling.

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: Erykah Badu - Tyrone (Live)



Erykah Badu,Jun 16, 2009

Music video by Erykah Badu performing Tyrone. (C) 1997 Kedar Entertainment / Universal Records Inc.
-snip-
Statistics as of January 14, 2020 at 4:33 PM EST
total number of views - 7,582,938 views
total # of likes - 86K
total # of dislikes -1.8k
total # of comments - 2,674

****
LYRICS- TYRONE
(Erykah Badu)

[Live Intro]
Now keep in mind that I'm an artist
And I'm sensitive about my sh&t*
But y'all been nice about it, alright
Sisters, how y'all feel?
Brothers, y'all alright?
Lemme see how y'all groove to this

Alright
[Verse 1]
I'm gettin' tired of your sh&t*
You don't never buy me nothin'
See every time you come around
You gotta bring Jim, James, Paul, and Tyrone
See why can't we be by ourselves, sometimes
See I've been having this on my mind for a long time
I just want it to be you and me
Like it used to be, baby
But ya don't know how to act
So matter of fact

[Hook]
I think ya better call Tyrone (call him)
And tell him come on, help you get your sh&t*
(Come on, come on, come on)
You need to call Tyrone (call him)
And tell him I said come on

[Verse 2]
Now every time I ask you for a little cash
You say naw, but turn right around and ask me for some ass
Oh, whoa well hold up, listen partner I ain't no cheap thrill
Cause Miss Badu is always comin' for real and you know the deal, ni&&a*!
Every time we go somewhere I gotta reach down in my purse
To pay your way and your homeboys' way and sometimes your cousin's way
They don't never have to pay, don't have no cars
Hang around in bars try to hang around with stars
Like Badu Imma tell you the truth
Show and prove or get the boot

[Hook]
I think ya better (call him)
And tell him come on, help you get your sh&t*
(Come on, come on, come on)
You need to call Tyrone (call him)
Hold on
But you can't use my phone


Source: https://genius.com/Erykah-badu-tyrone-lyrics
-snip-
*These words are fully spelled out in these lyrics.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Pigmeat Markham - "Here Come The Judge" (1968 Comedic Early Rap Record)

Sids60sSounds, May 28, 2009

Fun courtroom mayhem with Dewey 'Pigmeat' Markham. Regarded by some as the first rap record. Discuss....

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- March 14, 2023

This pancocojams post presents information about African American comedian Pigmeat Markham and presents information about Markham's 1968 Soul & comedic song "Here Come The Judge".

This post also showcases a YouTube song file of "Here Come The Judge" by Pigmeat Markham and lyrics for that which are based on Pigmeat Markham's comedic routine. In addition, this post includes selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread. Most of those selected comments discuss Pigmeat Markham's Here Come The Judge record in context of the history of rap (Hip Hop).

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Pigmeat Markham for his musical legacy. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound file on YouTube.

****
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/12/shorty-long-here-come-judge-information.html for a closely related pancocojams post entitled "Shorty Long - Here Come The Judge (information, lyrics, sound file)".

****
INFORMATION ABOUT PIGMEAT MARKHAM
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigmeat_Markham
"Dewey "Pigmeat" Markham (April 18, 1904 – December 13, 1981)[1] was an American entertainer.[2] Though best known as a comedian, Markham was also a singer, dancer, and actor.[3] His nickname came from a stage routine, in which he declared himself to be "Sweet Poppa Pigmeat"...

He was born in the community of Hayti, Durham, North Carolina.[2]... Markham began his career in traveling music and burlesque shows. For a time he was a member of Bessie Smith's Traveling Revue in the 1920s.[4] Later, he claimed he originated the Truckin' dance which became nationally popular at the start of the 1930s. In the 1940s he started making film appearances. In 1964 he recorded "Open the Door, Richard".[5]

Markham was a familiar act at New York's famed Apollo Theater where he wore blackface makeup and huge painted white lips, despite complaints the vaudeville tradition was degrading. He probably played at the Apollo more frequently than any other performer.[6] Starting in the 1950s Pigmeat Markham began appearing on television, making multiple appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show.[7]

His boisterous, indecorous "heyeah (here) come da judge" schtick, which made a mockery of formal courtroom etiquette, became his signature routine. Markham would sit at an elevated judge's bench (often in a black graduation cap-and-gown, to look more impressive), and deal with a series of comic miscreants. He would often deliver his "judgments", as well as express frustration with the accused, by leaning over the bench and smacking the accused with an inflated bladder-balloon. He had hit comedy recordings in the 1960s on Chess Records, and saw his routine's entry line become a catchphrase on the Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In NBC television show, as did his phrase "Look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls."

Markham's most famous routine was "discovered" by the general public only after Sammy Davis, Jr. had performed it as a guest on the March 25, 1968 episode of Laugh-In. Due to the years of racial segregation in the entertainment world, he was not widely known by white audiences, and had almost exclusively performed on the "Chitlin' Circuit" of vaudeville, theatres, and night clubs[1] and appeared in several race films, including William D. Alexander's 1949 revue film Burlesque in Harlem, which documented the Chitlin' Circuit"...
-snip-
Note that Pigmeat Markham created and performed his Here Come The Judge routine in the 1940s. His Here Come The Judge record was first released in 1968.

****
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT "HERE COME THE JUDGE" RECORD BY PIGMEAT MARKHAM
Excerpt $1:
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Here_Comes_the_Judge_(Pigmeat_Markham_song)
" "Here Comes the Judge" is a song and single by American soul and comedy singer Pigmeat Markham first released in 1968 on the Chess label.[2]The record entered the UK charts in July 1968, spending eight weeks on the charts and reaching 19 as its highest position.[3] The song originated with his signature comedy routine "heyeah (here) come da judge", which made a mockery of formal courtroom etiquette. Due to its rhythmic use of boastful dialogue, it is considered a precursor to hip hop music.

The song contained background vocals from future soul singer Minnie Riperton, who was credited as Andrea Davis when she was recording for Chess Records, the label which released "Here Comes The Judge".[4]

Other songs and cover versions
Songs with the same name have been recorded by several artists; most notably, Shorty Long, whose 1968 Tamla Motown song "Here Comes the Judge" also entered the UK charts in July 1968 but only reached 30 as its highest position.[5] Long's song is completely different from Markham's, however it was inspired by Markham's comic act involving a judge, which Markham performed on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. The Markham song was also covered, as a parody, by UK band The Barron Knights, as part of their "An Olympic Record". Peter Tosh, The Vapors and the Magistrates have recorded songs called "Here Comes the Judge" but they are different songs.[6]"...

****
Excerpt #2
From https://genius.com/Pigmeat-markham-here-comes-the-judge-lyrics
"Dewey “Pigmeat” Markham is best known for being an American entertainer. His routine “Heyeah come da judge” was well received and ended up being one of his most used catchphrases. Noticing the success of the routine, Markham decided to make a record in 1968, and the result was the hip-hop sounding song, which included quotes from one of the skits.

While “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang often is regarded as the first ever recorded hip-hop song, some pioneers of rap, for instance DJ Hollywood and Kool Moe Dee, also mentioned the older “Here Comes The Judge” as one of their main influences in hip-hop, and more specifically, to rhythmic rapping: "Pigmeat Markham introduced me to the flow of it, and the humor."

“Here Come The Judge” entered Billboard’s Hot 100 chart at No. 82 and remained on the chart for eight weeks, peaking at No. 19 in the week of July 27th, 1968."...

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LYRICS FOR "HERE COME THE JUDGE" (PIGMEAT MARKHAM SONG)
[Intro: Pigmeat Markham]
Year he, Year he
This court is now in session
His honor Judge Pigmeat Markham residing...

[Verse 1]
Year he, Year he, the court of swing
Is just about ready to do that thing
I don't want no tears, I don't want no lies
Above all, I don't want no alibis
This judge is hip, and that ain't all
He'll give you time if you're big or small
Fall in line, a-this court is neat
Peace, brotha....

[Chorus: the courtroom]
Uh-oh, here Come the Judge, here Come the Judge
Everybody know that he is the judge

Everybody, near and far
I'm going to Paris, to stop this war
All those kids gotta listen to me
Cause I am the judge, and you can plainly see
I want a big, round table when I get there
I won't sit down until ones are square
I'm gonna lay down the law, they bet'not budge
I bust some heads because I am the judge

[Chorus: the courtroom]
He is the judge, he is the judge
Everybody know that he is the judge

[Interlude 1]
*Music stops, snare drum imitates knock*

Man: Who's there
Judge: I's
Man: 'I's who?
Judge: I's your next-door neighbor

*Courtroom laughs, Judge bangs gavel*

Judge: Order, order in this courtroom
Woman: Judge, your honorship

Hi, sir
Did I hear you say "order in the court"?
Judge: Yes, I said "ORDER"
Woman: Well, I'll take two cans of beer, please

*Music continues*

[Chorus: the courtroom]
He is the judge, he is the judge
Everybody know that he is the judge

[Verse 2]
I had a chat with Ho-Chi Minh
Took rice wine and chased my gin
Won't take long, as it missed my guess
I'll have yo outta this doggone mess

Send a cable to Ball & Mack
Let them know I'm coming back
Sit right there with Rock and Nicks
Teach them boys some of Pigmeat's tricks

[Interlude 2]
*Music stops*

Man: Uh, uh, judge, your honor pigmeat, sir
Don't you remember me?
Judge: No, who are you boy?
Man: Why, I'm the fella that introduced you to your wife
Judge: To my wife?
Man: Yeah

Judge: LIFE, you son of a gun, you

*Laughter in courtroom, music continues*

[Bridge]
Come November election time
You vote your way, I'll vote mine
Cases are tied, and money get spent
Vote for Pigmeat Markham president

[Hook, The Judge & the courtroom]
I am the judge, I am the judge
Everybody know that I am the judge
(We want Pigmeat, we want Pigmeat)
I am the judge, I am the judge

(Everybody know that he is the judge)
Now, everybody know I am the judge

Source: https://genius.com/Pigmeat-markham-here-comes-the-judge-lyrics with corrected words given in italics.
-snip-
Thanks to CMG who wrote on August 17, 2020 that instead of "Here ye", the words in this record are actually "Year he".  Thanks also to CMG for writing that the word "eyes" given in that genius.com transcription should be "I's".
-snip-
I think that "Year he" may have been a purposely comic mispronunciation of "hear ye". 

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THE YOUTUBE SOUND FILE THAT IS EMBEDDED IN THIS POST
Here are some comments from this sound file's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only)

1. 1wolfoutlaw, 2011
"havent heard this for years, still fantastic now, thanks for posting this."

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2. rune, 2011
"among the first rap songs ever"

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3. Megan K, 2011
"Not only is my mind blown, but this is actually really funny lmao."

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4. Stgfre, 2012
"Sounds like hip hop!"

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5. Honey Chiles, 2012
"RUN-DM Who!? He is rapping in 1968!"

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6. AirWaterLandBuffalo, 2012
"Oh man. Everything about this is perfect. The final joke is beautiful."

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7. Julius Tajiddin, 2014
"In my generation we were fascinated with rhyming. Rhyming to music wasn't new. What makes Rap distinguishable from just regular rhyming or rhyming to music is that Rap was always done to pre-recorded music, e.g., another record. They started rhyming on top of instrumentals or the DJ would keep looping an instrumental break over and over. This started in Brooklyn as early as 69 or 70.

There was one DJ from Brooklyn named Grandmaster John Flowers. He was the first Grandmaster and he traveled all over the city doing parties and clubs. It could have been that when folks came to Brooklyn and discovered him he was hired to do gigs in other parts of the city.

Sometimes these DJs would have other rappers with them or sometimes they rapped themselves. MC's rapping at clubs had even spread out to New Jersey by 75 or 76.

The way Hip Hop came into the picture was like this. B- Bop cats called [us] Hip Hoppers because we dressed like them but weren't into the B-Bop music. That offended them and so they gave us this derogatory name, "Damn Hip Hoppers." However, in Brooklyn "we" started embracing the term and chanting, "Hip Hop, don't stop, let your body rock!" at block parties as way of teasing the B-Bop cats when we saw them. As time went on this evolved to what was called a "Hip Hoppy."

At any given moment there would be a gathering at a park or suitable place to get down. You know how we do now. Get a crowd. You have the ones doing it out of dedication so those were done maybe off site so to speak. Then you had some trying to get money. So they would go out in the main streets.

DJs were battling back then. Then rappers started battling. Then Hip Hoppers were battling too. Everything was Kung Fu and Bruce Lee was the man. So naturally the names of DJs and the Rappers took on a martial arts twist.

Then when the Hip Hoppers (that's what the dancers were first called) got into the picture the moves were imitating Kung Fu moves. Since not everyone can do Kung Fu and still had to get into the act the moves became what someone could do the best.

Yes I need to write a book because I have first hand knowledge. I also helped create a beat that could be considered the first original hip hop beat. Remember, rap beats weren't created at first. They were borrowed. And rap songs did combinations of sampling and adding some beats. But think about it. The beats you add are going to blend in with the beats of that time. Simple R&B and Disco beats.

James Brown sampling came in the 80's. But James Brown beats are funky. That's why a James Brown beat and Pigmeat Markham's beats are credited as a rap beat.

Rap beats did eventually evolve and were created, first by piecing dozens of samples together then making them up. I would say that the evolution of some of these funky beats started in 1970 and as the samplers started listening more and more to those old records and discovered these beats that were a little different than James Brown, producers started adding a little of this and a little of that to where [Hip Hop] music could be called an art that was distinguishable. In fact, saying Hip Hop as a culture I believe was coined by Africa Bambata in the 80's. I do remember seeing a flier with the wording Hop Hop Culture around 81 or 82.

Well I just felt like sharing. If you borrow that's cool. But if you get challenged on something you have to know what to come back with. So always give credit where credit is due and name your source.

Peace"

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REPLY
8. haloskater24, 2014
"Jamaicans been doing that since the late 50s early 60s."

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9. BucketHatForever, 2015
"Thanks for sharing. That was an interesting read."

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10. MisterZoe, 2016
"+haloskater24 And Black American DJs have been doing it since the 1930s and 40's. Which is where Jamaican DJs picked it up from."

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11. Buffalo New Yorker, 2017
"I used to think Jamaicans set off the movement which we as Black Americans further developed but as I do more research I'm finding the complete opposite; that actually Black America had a massive influence on Jamaican music culture (Skah, Rock Steady, and Reggae) as they would borrow from our Jazz, Blues, and Rnb techniques when using antennas to tune in to our radio stations. Here's a substantial proof I found of rap being present in American predating toasting and given Black America's influence on Jamaica may have inspired it. http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-roots-of-rap-classic-recordings-from-the-1920s-and-30s-mw0000647903. Also heres a key quote from Wiki " In the late 1950s deejay toasting was developed by Count Machuki.[2] He conceived the idea from listening to disc jockeys on American radio stations. He would do African American jive over the music while selecting and playing R&B music." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deejay_(Jamaican) Can you give me sources to back up your points?

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12. Dabhr2, 2014
"2:43.. I purchased this 45rpm when I was 12 years old, when i flipped it over and played the "Trial" I never played the other side again, I played the side "B" a thousand times, and up until this day.. I still can recite the entire scene verbatim!"

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13. hebneh, 2014
"I think most people hearing this song today don't really understand the lyrics. The subject is the Vietnam War, and the peace negotiations which were being attempted in Paris between the USA and North Vietnam. At the beginning of the process, there was endless discussion about the shape of the table everyone would sit at, before any real talks even began. Pigmeat is saying that he'll go there and force everyone into agreement, since he is "the judge".

So it's not just the prototype rap style he's performing that's interesting, it's also that a black comedian was even discussing the Vietnam War, which at that time was mostly being debated by young white men who were potentially to be drafted into the military."

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REPLY
14. Raider577, 2017
"+Hebneh . Black men were more likely to be drafted into the Vietnam war so why shouldn't he be discussing it.
A lot of the white men emigrated were draft dodgers or got out of it some other way like D Trump. Most of the white men were back home enjoying free love , drugs and protesting against things that would benefit themselves in the long run."

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15. joejoe blackman, 2017
"Raider577
That's the truth"

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16. Greg Warren, 2015
""We. Want. Pigmeat, We. Want Pigmeat". To you youngins, does that sound familiar? How about a hint, just like Pigmeat Markham, Im "Straight Outta Durham". "We want Easy.........".

I have known about Pigmeat and his "Minstrel Shows" for some time, but did not give the "Rap" credit to him."

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17. CrowdPleeza, 2015
"Even though there are examples of "rapping" before the beginning of Hip Hop(The Last Poets,Reggae DJ's,Gil Scott Heron etc)this sounds like the closest thing to modern American rap."

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18. MisterZoe, 2016
"+CrowdPleeza Reggae artists got it from American radio DJs. Look up Jocko Henderson."

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19. dETROITfUNK, 2018
"yeah, but its actually just called a "squaredance caller" and is based on a rather old folk tradition."

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20. ColeMizeStudios, 2015
"wow!! this is crazy! I wrote an article on the first rap song commercially released being Fatback Band King Tim III Personality Jock. Looks like I need to go back and revise it now. Thanks a million for the upload! Much respect!"

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21. Andrea Marshall, 2016
"+ColeMizeStudios Yeah it's amazing how rap goes back to Pigmeat Markham, I remember as a little 13 year old listening to him and didn't know that one day young people would be doing the same over 40 years later."

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22. Larry Ham, 2016
"I swear I heard a blues song, with rapping in it, from the 40's. But this song has the "rap cadence" which influenced spoken parts in Parliament Funkadelic's music, which in turn influenced late 70's to early 80's hip-hop."

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23. ColeMizeStudios, 2016
"@Larry Ham I know it's crazy! lol! I found a song even older than this one with rapping in it from the 40's check this out! http://buff.ly/1WAcvO1"

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24. Larry Ham, 2016
"@ColeMizeStudios Naw, I heard some real rap sounding stuff....maybe not that old (maybe it is). But what you showed me is like a "proto-rap". Even could be "proto-rock". Because that style of "strum/stop" guitarring, paired with lyrics filling in the "space", was common in early rock and roll (50's style aka hoy hoy)."

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25. Shane Gooding, 2016
"This style of vocal performance had even migrated outside the States to the Caribbean by the late 60s and DJ Kool Herc would have heard it there when he was a kid in Jamaica. An early recording from there in which rapping is definitely heard over a reggae beat is Love Is A Treasure by Lizzy from 1973, but there were guys earlier than this who performed live working in the same way as emcees. I have no doubt that rapping like Pigmeat Markhams originates in the States, developing out of spoken word Jazz, Blues etc. But it is interesting that this kind of performing had been adopted overseas at such an early date and when Jamaicans like Herc migrated to New York they would have already been familiar with it whenever they encountered it."

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26. GodmindNY NYC, 2018
"ColeMizeStudios when will you actually consider something rap? What gives definition to it? The reason why I ask, is because I want to know if it's the beat, the sound, or the combination of both? Ok, you said that you have to go and revise what you wrote after hearing this correct? So.... What I'm trying to say is if you heard slaves " singing" in this style, would you consider that rap?"

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27. WebMint, 2018
"Devare Wilson Yes, I think it's considered rap. It's definetly not hip hop though."

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28. Larry Toering, 2018
"I agree King Tim III was the first, but Jimmy Spicer's "Adventures Of Super Rhyme" was also recorded in 1979 and certainly classified as rap and a hardcore one compared to Fatback's. Much more like Sugarhill Gang and Grand Master Flash. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRkPdMJWZls

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29. svanablak, 2016
"I don't believe folk have never heard of pigmeat!!! he was waaaaay ahead of his time! you can almost hear how he influenced Bernie Mac and Robin Harris! He would sell out theaters! even the "cool" white entertainers knew of him! While Redd Foxx made it big time Pigmeat was "underground". Hip-Hop need to show him some overdue love!!!"

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29. John Taves, 2017
"Although I love the Last Poets and the Watts Prophets and Gill Scott and them I gotta say the first rhythmic rap goes back to the 1910's with early gospel recordings or maybe come of the old Calypso kings like Lord Invader. Look up "my intention is war" by him its great."

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30. WebMint, 2018
"This isn't hip hop."

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31. Mr. Chevy Mills, 2018
"It's not Hip-Hop, frog-boy.
It's rap."

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32. WebMint, 2018
"Mr. Chevy Mills It's not even the first rap song. It goes back to the 30s"

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33. Ortho Tech, 2017
"Listen to "Noah" by The Jubalaires which was recorded in the 40's."

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