The Originals © by Arnold Rypens

Artist: Jerry Jeff Walker
Author: Jerry Jeff Walker
Label: Atco
Year: 1967

Oldest recording: for New York radio station WBAI (feat. David Bromberg), released on his second lp Five Years Gone ('69). Walker's first official release was on his debut album Mr Bojangles ('68). His demo for Vanguard has also been released in '99.

Covers:

1968:: Bobby Cole [first official release on Concentric/Date]
1968:: Allen Damron [limited edition as Bo Jangles]
1969:: Harry Nilsson
1969:: Neil Diamond
1969:: Harry Belafonte
1970:: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
1970:: Lulu [with Duane Allman]
1971:: Nina Simone
1971:: David Bromberg [Isle of Wight recording]
1971:: King Curtis
1971:: Katja Ebstein [German version]
1972:: Sammy Davis Jr.
1973:: Bob Dylan
1973:: John Holt
1974:: Jim Stafford
1974:: John Denver
1975:: Rod McKuen
1985:: Dennis Brown
2001:: Robbie Williams
2004:: Etta Jones
2010:: André van Duin [as Ik Kan Niet Dansen]
2022:: Steve Earle & The Dukes

The real Bill 'Bojangles' Robinson was the most famous black tapdancer ever. He was for tapdance what Marcel Marceau was for pantomime. Whereas Jerry Jeff's ageing character was an ex convict from New Orleans trying to survive on the streets, tapdancing for tips and nicknamed Bojangles.

MR. BOJANGLES

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