Artist: Blue Harmony Boys
Author: traditional
Label: Paramount
Year: 1929
Alias Rufus & Ben Quillian. Reissued on Document cd Hokum: Blues & Rags. Also the title of a book: Ragged But Right - Black Traveling Shows, Coon Songs And The Dark Pathway To Blues And Jazz (U.P. Of Mississippi) written by Lynn Abbott & Doug Seroff, about the success of ragtime in the early 20th century, following black performers from underclass to mainstream. The tone of this song was originally out and out racist.
Covers:
Riley Puckett [the oldest recording?]
Bob Howard [black swing variation as Raggedy But Right]
Ruby Wright [white swing variation on King]
George Jones [influential Starday single; crediting himself]
Shel Silverstein & The Red Onions [on folk lp Hairy Jazz]
Moon Mullican [also on Starday; this time a hit]
Lightnin' Wells [using the original lyrics]
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)