So much has been written [writes Steve Shark - Ed.] about Screamin' Jay Hawkins that it's often hard to separate fact from fiction. It's probably safe to say that Jay himself added to this confusion.
He was raised by Blackfoot Native Americans...he joined the US Army at 13 and saw armed combat in the Pacific...he was wounded in the Korean War...he was middleweight boxing champion of Alaska...he claimed to have fathered 75 children...
What is certain, however, is that he was rather more than his one major hit, "I Put a Spell On You", might suggest.
Those wishing to find out more about him are directed towards their Googles and internets as it's just one specific four year period which is under the spotlight here.
In 1991, Jay signed a record deal with Herb Cohen's reactivated Bizarre label. Cohen was once Frank Zappa's manager, although the two parted company acrimoniously, and the label was then mothballed. Three solo albums were made which featured Zappa alumnus Mike Kennealy, as well as Bo Diddley's son, Bo Diddley Jr, on the first two releases.
The albums were Black Music for White People, Stone Crazy, and Somethin' Funny Goin' On.
All three feature great playing and a wide range of material, often coloured by Jay's off-colour humour. "Amy Fisher is my fantasy girl - I'd love to give her a necklace of pearl". Subtle it's not, although very topical back then...
There are originals, R&B standards and a few more up to date covers, including Tom Waits' Heart Attack and Vine which almost transcends the original, and was also a minor hit for Jay. Waits' management didn't approve, as it was used in a commercial for Levi jeans. Ironically, the version of Spell on this collection is truly dreadful - a "dance version" (including somebody rapping) which just made me twitch.
So OK, perhaps it's not classic Jay, but it's interesting to hear him with a more than competent band, very varied material, a modern and tight production from Robert Duffey, and a willingness to update his sound. Happily, he sounds as unhinged as ever and his skewed humour is here in abundance.
What is certain, however, is that he was rather more than his one major hit, "I Put a Spell On You", might suggest.
Those wishing to find out more about him are directed towards their Googles and internets as it's just one specific four year period which is under the spotlight here.
In 1991, Jay signed a record deal with Herb Cohen's reactivated Bizarre label. Cohen was once Frank Zappa's manager, although the two parted company acrimoniously, and the label was then mothballed. Three solo albums were made which featured Zappa alumnus Mike Kennealy, as well as Bo Diddley's son, Bo Diddley Jr, on the first two releases.
The albums were Black Music for White People, Stone Crazy, and Somethin' Funny Goin' On.
All three feature great playing and a wide range of material, often coloured by Jay's off-colour humour. "Amy Fisher is my fantasy girl - I'd love to give her a necklace of pearl". Subtle it's not, although very topical back then...
There are originals, R&B standards and a few more up to date covers, including Tom Waits' Heart Attack and Vine which almost transcends the original, and was also a minor hit for Jay. Waits' management didn't approve, as it was used in a commercial for Levi jeans. Ironically, the version of Spell on this collection is truly dreadful - a "dance version" (including somebody rapping) which just made me twitch.
So OK, perhaps it's not classic Jay, but it's interesting to hear him with a more than competent band, very varied material, a modern and tight production from Robert Duffey, and a willingness to update his sound. Happily, he sounds as unhinged as ever and his skewed humour is here in abundance.
This is the double CD re-release, with all three albums and bonus tracks - worth having for once - taken from the Bizarre recording sessions. The title is a reference to Jay's potency, with 33, to date, of the 75 children he claimed actually being his genuine offspring. 12 of them even met up for a reunion in 2001!
Mr. Shark will be swinging by with a link shortly, Shirley ...
ReplyDeleteI surely do want this one, Shirley! The title of the 2CD re-release is "Are You One Of Jay's Kids? The Complete Bizarre Sessions 1990-1994".
ReplyDeleteIt will go nicely with "Cow Fingers & Mosquito Pie", the only Screaming Jay Hawkins compilation that I own.
Collecting his back catalogue is confusing. So many comps with duplicate tracks, re-recordings of the originals and some dodgy live performances. Typical for someone who's been around for a long time and signed multiple record deals, I suppose, without protecting his copyright.
DeleteYou sure have me curious as to what it sounds like.It makes sense to me that he's also a wider variety artist.
ReplyDeleteA true genius. If the world was in any way decent, this guy would be bigger than Coldplay.
ReplyDeleteif this world was in any way decent there would never have been any coldplay.
Deletementioning screamin' j in the same sentence as them is (deleted by poster).
I put a spellow on you (doop dee doop doop)
DeleteAnd it was all yellow, it's true (doop dee doop doop)
Stop the things that you do (doop doop dee doop)
Cause I ain't buying your Goop (doop dee doop doop)
...and if it's all yellow
DeleteYou must let it mellow
Because you're MIIIIINNNNE
I await the Screamin' Jay/Coldplay/Donovan mash up with baited breasts.
DeleteHa! I wasn't even thinking about Donovan. There was a rhyme I heard as a child about conserving water by flushing the toilet less frequently. The scatologically inclined Screamin' Jay would have loved it: "If it's yellow, let it mellow. If it's brown, flush it down."
DeleteFarq still won't show me where he keeps the stealth links, so here's the link in all its naked URL glory.
ReplyDeleteIncluded is a bonus pdf of an interview with SJH from about the same period as the music.
https://workupload.com/file/T8E5xKLmdR7
Screamin' Jay was a character!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Steve.
Here's some "Voodoo Jive"
https://workupload.com/file/cM9mzP5svne
Many thanks, Babs!
Delete"Waits' management didn't approve"
ReplyDeleteWasn't TW's manager Herb Cohen?
Thank you.
Hmm...it's bit strange. It would seem that although Cohen was quite happy for the music to be used - he actually pushed the deal with Levi's - Waits wasn't. Waits sued Levis and Cohen countersued.
DeleteSo, thanks for pointing the error out. You led me to this which explains it all. Cohen sounds rather dodgy to me!
http://www.tomwaitsfan.com/tom%20waits%20library/www.tomwaitslibrary.com/copyright/copyrightwaitslevis.html
Waits didn't even own the copyright to the song - Cohen did!
Delete"There are originals, R&B standards and a few more up to date covers, including Tom Waits' Heart Attack and Vine which almost transcends the original, and was also a minor hit for Jay."
ReplyDeleteThe same could be said of Nina Simone's version of "I Put A Spell On You"
https://workupload.com/file/5Fv25zAQHRb
I love Nina Simone, but you don't hear much of her or about her these days, do you? You don't hear her referred to very often.
DeleteOr is it me just not being in the "right places" to hear about her?
More than Screamin Jay.
DeleteSaw her once, in Bristol, second on the bill to Dick Gregory. She wasn't memorable. Or I was stupid.
My local Jazz radio station WBGO "Jazz 88" (you can stream the station) plays Nina all the time.
DeleteIn 1967, my Aunt took my younger cousin to see the Monkees at the Forrest hills stadium out in Queens, New York. The day after the show, they both complained about the opening act: The Jimi Hendrix Experience. These days my cousin proudly tells people "I saw Jimi Hendrix in '67!"
Steve, I think it's a question of being in the right places. Nina Simone is a foundational influence on neo-soul (Lauryn Hill, India Arie, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys, and Jill Scott, among others).
DeleteNina's music is also frequently sampled in hip hop, by Kanye West and many others. Here's one of the greatest examples, Talib Kweli's anthemic "Get By":
https://youtu.be/UVtpXvzzXiA
https://www.whosampled.com/Nina-Simone/ (a list of over 300 samples)
This article lists the many examples of films, TV shows, and commercials that have incorporated Nina's version of "Sinnerman".
https://le0pard13.com/2017/06/05/same-song-different-movie-sinnerman-by-nina-simone/
One of the examples cited is the 2015 documentary "What Happened, Miss Simone?" Her uncompromising and outspoken stance on civil rights has made her a cultural icon for Black pride.
Sorry for going overboard, Steve. Thought you would be pleased to know that Ms. Simone's memory and music are respected and cherished by many fans.
DeleteNo need for sorry - it was very informative!
DeleteI shared a link to your post on the band Soup in a Facebook group devoted to music from Wisconsin, and it drew some appreciative comments from folks who saw them back in the day (ranging from local high school gigs to an opening slot for Focus).
DeleteFocus - another dynamite band. Jan Akkerman is a stunning player.
DeleteThanks Steve! I've got the classic stuff but missed this later work; sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteI have a great live show he did in Paris in 1998. He plays it quite straight for much of it. He's in fine voice and playing piano really well. I'll post a link tomorrow. Great sound quality, too. I don't think it's a boot.
DeleteThe last studio and also the last live album he made, as far as I know. Jim Dickinson and some of the Swampers were involved in both. It's good stuff and showed that Jay still had it in him.
Deletehttps://workupload.com/file/tTfUGWUVbPX
Might I recommend an excellent book about Screaming Jay - I Put A Spell On You by Steve Bergsman (I have it on my Kindle) & also, let`s not forget Mr Hawkins`s superb performance in Jim Jarmusche`s Mystery Train. A film about an Elvis obsessed Japanese couple`s pilgrimage to Memphis, SJH is the desk clerk at their hotel. I think my son has a copy, if anyone is interested I can try to track it down & upload.
ReplyDeleteEl Reverendo Dr.Baz Mania(c)
I was aware of Ms Simone as many 60s beat combos covered I Put A Spell On You but it was when I met Terry at University in 1969 that I became conversant with her work. Just as pre Soviet Russians had an Icon (Ikon) corner, Terry had a Nina corner with most of her platters & photos etc. As he lived in London he had seen her a few times at Ronnie Scott's. Once a month he would have a Nina evening when he would immerse himself in her music, a state similar to a religious trance.
ReplyDeleteOn one of her last appearances in London, Ms Simone, known to be very temperamental, complained from the stage that she was unwell & she had no one to look after her. After the show Terry & friend went backstage to offer their services. Details of her hotel & instructions to report the next day were received For the next two weeks they attempted to carry out her every whim & desire, usually to her dissatisfaction. After her death it was revealed that she had serious mental health problems which explained her behaviour. Nonetheless Terry love for Nina & her music was undiminished.
A few years ago her song "My Baby Just Cares for Me" was used in an advert in the U.K. which resulted in a renewed interest in her catalogue & recognition as a major & important artist.
El Reverendo Dr.Baz Mania(c)
Sinnerman was used in a recent TV ad in the UK.
DeleteExcellent performances by Nina Simone in the documentary "Summer of Soul" about the music festival held in Harlem at the same time as Woodstock. She was incendiary. Look at the faces of the white policemen as she encourages the crowd to mete out some justice of their own while performing "Are you ready?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eu4Ewp84O4w
ReplyDelete