Artist: Ma Rainey
Author: Gertrude Rainey/L. Arant
Label: Paramount
Year: 1924
Is credited for being the first to record it, with Louis Armstrong (cornet) and Fletcher Henderson (piano). See See or C.C. Rider was the black denomination for a country circuit preacher (C.C.), half errand entertainer half outlaw. Words were borrowed from I Wonder Where My Easy Rider's Gone (see Yellow Dog Rag).
Covers:
Tommy Johnson [in Maggie Campbell Blues (see there)]
Big Bill Broonzy [see footnote]
Lead Belly [as C.C. Rider]
Chubby Checker [as The CC Rider Stroll]
Freddie King [as See See Baby]
Johnny Rivers [Live At The Whisky A Go-Go in medley with Got My Mojo Working]
Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels [in medley with Jenny Take A Ride; top 10 US]
Muddy Waters [as C.C. Woman]
Mitch Woods [with Van Morrison and Taj Mahal]
Big Bill Broonzy claimed he met the real See See Rider, a contemporary of his uncle Jerry Belcher and of Stonewall Jackson. C.C. never spent a cent on transportation, food or lodging. This blew young Bill's mind, who was raised in a family with 21 children. Big Bill told this same story to Alan Lomax. See his book The Land Where The Blues Began (Pantheon).
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)