En partant

In the summer of 1979 I was visiting friends in Quebec City and one day was out walking around Basse-Ville and kept seeing these billboards for Nana Mouskouri everywhere I turned. Didn’t have any idea who she was, but nice glasses. . . . A couple of years later, I was walking past a record store in a Southern California mall near where I lived, and heard what sounded like “Farewell, Angelina” coming out the open doorway—but it was in French! Went inside, discovered it was Nana Mouskouri, listened a little more, bought the pictured LP. Here’s a French translation of Tom Paxton’s “Outward Bound” from the same album. As good a farewell tune as any: “goodbye, farewell, so long, vaya con dios.”

Nana Mouskouri • En Partant • 1970

Waldo was the richest man to live around here

Porter Wagoner • Waldo the Weirdo • 1972

Me and Jimmie Rodgers

This one goes out to our heroes of yore. . . .

Waylon Jennings, Mel Tillis, Bobby Bare, Jerry Reed

Me and Jimmie Rodgers •1998

I’m coming back home

 

Clifton Chenier • I’m Coming Home (To See My Mother) • 1970

Get it: King of the Bayous

I ain’t worried

“Sitting on Top of the World” was written and recorded by the Mississippi Sheiks in 1930 and it directly entered “blues standard” territory where it has been loved and recorded by all manner of musicians from Bob Wills to Doc Watson to Howlin’ Wolf to . . . spin the dial and most likely someone you listen to has recorded it, so many maybe you got to the point where you never wanted to hear it again. I know I did. And then along comes ole Papa Taj and his pals Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley with this delightful version and we’re top of the world once again.

Taj Mahal • Sittin’ on Top of the World • 2021

If I had’ve followed my first mind

A voice for the ages. . . .

Howlin’ Wolf • Killing Floor • 1965

Georgia . . . Brown

A big hit right out of the chute, in 1925, “Sweet Georgia Brown” has been performed and recorded countless times by all manner of performers in all manner of genres. Here’s a couple of favorites that have recently resurfaced through the slow-swirling goo on constant mix mode inside my aging noggin.

The Coasters • Sweet Georgia Brown • 1957

Jerry Lee Lewis • Sweet Georgia Brown • 1971

LP covers: Discogs