Speaking of Josh Billings, all of us Mound City Blue Blowers fans should start something: "The Josh Billings Appreciation Society". I mean, it's about time that history's only suitcase drummer gets the tribute he deserves!
It's just amazing how soulful Red could play that comb, and that 20s vocal is classic. I have watched this video dozens of times and I still return to it. It was just a spectacular performance.
Red was one of the best comb players ever...folding wax paper over a comb then humming into it...and usig a can to get that fat coronet sound. And Josh Billings was underrated and a pecussionist AND Dancer :)
Amazing! I didn't know these guys were ever filmed. Thanks for posting this! I'm been listening to this group for years; now I can see what they looked like.
Thanks a million for sharing this, I bought my first jazz 78 in 1966, a Brunswick Australia copy of San and Red Hot rec in 1924, by Mound City Blue Blowers, now have thousands of shellac, but this video is absolutely brilliant!
Excellent, avec un drummer comme on aimerait en voir plus souvent ! Pas la peine d'avoir des tas de cymbales et de tambours en tous genres pour assurer le rythme; une bonne valise et des balais ! ! ! A voir aussi dans "Saint louis blues" .....
Our commenting French compeer says: "Excellent, with a drummer as we would like to see more often! No need to have lots of cymbals and drums of all kinds to provide the rhythm; a good suitcase and brooms! ! ! See also in "Saint louis blues" "
Hello! I'm from near Saint Louis a k a Mound City. I'm putting together a music of Saint Louis musicians on Pandora and was glad to find these guys! It will be called "Spirits of Saint Louis." 💓 Well wishes from STL/USA!
I've had a soft spot for Red for a long time. He was a really wonderful entertainer. I love the suitcase drum kit. Some of Eddie Condon's bands in the 30s did the suitcase and whisk brooms trick too.
How true, Cody! It is a shame there isn't. Josh Billings, the box-beater and dancer was one magnum power character, alright. It is not possible right now to know just what 'the story' was with the Blowers but, I'm sure there was one. Hopefully, someday someone will do a deep-treatment bio on them as grouped and individually. Both Josh's and Red's ends were tragic and lonely, so I understand. Dang! They deserved better, I think but . . . they did have a fun run in their early, glory days.
Hmm, just noticed that Josh has a lit cigarette stuck behind his ear. I wonder if they had any trouble with his hair catching on fire. Awesome stuff though. Josh, Red, Jack, and Eddie are amazing.
"My Gal Sal" was the theme song for the "Joe the Bartender" sketches on "The Jackie Gleason Show." Gleason himself would sing it. I wonder if there's a recording of him doing the song somewhere on UA-cam.
"Return with us now..." Those who enjoy this genre of music, swing & big band will enjoy listening to KCEA-dot-org, which streams 24/7 (and adds some Old Time Radio on the weekends).
On one long shot, you can see the Suite Case Drummer tapping his feet on the case, like a base drum in a trap set. And is that Sand Paper strapped across the top to make the brush sounds? Interesting Recording, Glad to have hear/seen it. thanks.
BLURRED!!! Transfer is from a Laser Disc which image was perfect, having been transferred to it from 35mm. I saw this on the big screen at UCLA. It was about 10x times more effective and there was more to it. Look for it in a Vitaphone collection of LD's. I say Josh had to have been at least bi ! No way not. . : .
Speaking of Josh Billings, all of us Mound City Blue Blowers fans should start something: "The Josh Billings Appreciation Society". I mean, it's about time that history's only suitcase drummer gets the tribute he deserves!
I am definitely interested in that great idea.
The original American cajon player.
It's just amazing how soulful Red could play that comb, and that 20s vocal is classic. I have watched this video dozens of times and I still return to it. It was just a spectacular performance.
I feel the same.
Red was one of the best comb players ever...folding wax paper over a comb then humming into it...and usig a can to get that fat coronet sound.
And Josh Billings was underrated and a pecussionist AND Dancer :)
Josh is just awesome!!!
Amazing! I didn't know these guys were ever filmed.
Thanks for posting this! I'm been listening to this group for years; now I can see what they looked like.
Thanks a million for sharing this, I bought my first jazz 78 in 1966, a Brunswick Australia copy of San and Red Hot rec in 1924, by Mound City Blue Blowers, now have thousands of shellac, but this video is absolutely brilliant!
I was born 50 years too late-Thanks Captain!
Excellent, avec un drummer comme on aimerait en voir plus souvent ! Pas la peine d'avoir des tas de cymbales et de tambours en tous genres pour assurer le rythme; une bonne valise et des balais ! ! ! A voir aussi dans "Saint louis blues" .....
Our commenting French compeer says:
"Excellent, with a drummer as we would like to see more often! No need to have lots of cymbals and drums of all kinds to provide the rhythm; a good suitcase and brooms! ! ! See also in "Saint louis blues" "
This Starts with "I Ain't Got Nobody." "My Gall Sal" starts around 3'00"
If you watch very closely, at around 1:21 the lit cigarette gets a little too close to his ear, and he shakes it off to the floor.
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 74yo Aussie fan.
Hello! I'm from near Saint Louis a k a Mound City. I'm putting together a music of Saint Louis musicians on Pandora and was glad to find these guys! It will be called "Spirits of Saint Louis." 💓 Well wishes from STL/USA!
My pleasure. I bought my copy of that record (on US Brunswick) about ten years later!
Excellent.
I've had a soft spot for Red for a long time. He was a really wonderful entertainer. I love the suitcase drum kit. Some of Eddie Condon's bands in the 30s did the suitcase and whisk brooms trick too.
Truly enjoyable !! Thanks...
They were fantastic!!!
it put me in a good mood! thx :)
Wow !👍
I just love this video so much. I wish there was more footage of these guys..
How true, Cody! It is a shame there isn't. Josh Billings, the box-beater and dancer was one magnum power character, alright.
It is not possible right now to know just what 'the story' was with the Blowers but, I'm sure there was one. Hopefully, someday someone will do a deep-treatment bio on them as grouped and individually.
Both Josh's and Red's ends were tragic and lonely, so I understand. Dang! They deserved better, I think but . . . they did have a fun run in their early, glory days.
Excellent!
good....good.....good !!!!!! excelente !!!
great stuff ...send it to your friends !!
wow, the audio and video for 1929 is great.
hot breakdown at the end!
I swear, my friend Jon looks EXACTLY like Josh Billings (a.k.a. The Suitcase Drummer) What's even funnier: he plays the drums, too!
Frank "Josh" Billings is the show! Can't find out much about him.
@@tomewart4287 Mezz Mezzrow mentions Red and Josh at length in his memoir REALLY THE BLUES.
Probably the first recorded footage of bluesmen
I have the American Brunswick as well :3
Hmm, just noticed that Josh has a lit cigarette stuck behind his ear. I wonder if they had any trouble with his hair catching on fire. Awesome stuff though. Josh, Red, Jack, and Eddie are amazing.
Great time capsule
"My Gal Sal" was the theme song for the "Joe the Bartender" sketches on "The Jackie Gleason Show." Gleason himself would sing it. I wonder if there's a recording of him doing the song somewhere on UA-cam.
Easy to see where The City Ramblers Skiffle Group got their inspiration!
Red hot skiffle awesomeness!
FEATURING RED MCKENZIE
"Return with us now..."
Those who enjoy this genre of music, swing & big band will enjoy listening to KCEA-dot-org, which streams 24/7 (and adds some Old Time Radio on the weekends).
@SallyAugusta Nice story!
Good
Huge influence on Squirrel Nut Zippers.
Also known as “Just a Gigolo” if I’m not mistaken.
That's not "My Gal Sal", it's "I Ain't Got Nobody".
Pre- Western Swing
@lennietristanojazz Whoops, that's actually Carl. Must correct that.
who plays the suitcase with such style
The problem with today's pop music is the tap dancing suitcase drummers don't have lit cigarettes behind their ears as much.
55 years too late in my case!
Didn't Pee Wee Russell play with the Mound City Blowers for a bit? Or am I confused?
Yes he did
As well as Coleman Hawkins and Glenn Miller.
Peter Meili Maybe it’s quicker to say who didn’t record with them 🤔
On one long shot, you can see the Suite Case Drummer tapping his feet on the case, like a base drum in a trap set. And is that Sand Paper strapped across the top to make the brush sounds? Interesting Recording, Glad to have hear/seen it. thanks.
BLURRED!!! Transfer is from a Laser Disc which image was perfect, having been transferred to it from 35mm. I saw this on the big screen at UCLA. It was about 10x times more effective and there was more to it. Look for it in a Vitaphone collection of LD's. I say Josh had to have been at least bi ! No way not.
. : .
Asombrós