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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)
Artist: Harlem Hamfats
Author: Joe McCoy
Label: Decca
Year: 1936
Half New Orleans jazz, half Mississippi string band, with brothers Joe & Charlie McCoy. Written by Kansas Joe McCoy, the ex of Memphis Minnie. This early jump band was created by Chicago producer J. Mayo Williams, founding later successes for Louis Jordan's combo, who would soon make his first Decca recordings with Mayo.
Covers:
Lil Green [as Why Don't You Do Right; with Big Bill Broonzy on guitar]
Benny Goodman [vocal by Peggy Lee; Top 5 US; also in film Stage Door Canteen the year after]
Peggy Lee [as Why Don't You Do Right]
Barbara Dane [with Art Hodges]
Amy Irving [voice of Jessica Rabbit in film Who Framed Roger Rabbit]
Backsliders [as Why Don't You Do Now?]
Gramophonedzie [hit B & NL]
Beth Hart & Joe Bonamassa [all as Why Don't You Do Right]
Harlem Hamfats, Lil Green, Kansas Joe, Memphis Minnie, Fats Domino, Viktor Lazlo, Big Joe, all names for a mob infested speakeasy, which in fact is what it's all about.
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)