Stomp Off 1001 - Dickbaker.org

(this is not the popular Smith-Burris song from1914).[info from Rust] Ballin' the Jack recorded byChicago Footwarmers (Natty Dominique-Johnny Dodds-Jimmy Blythe-Baby Dodds) 3Dec 27. Original US release was Okeh 8533,also many other US & foreign releases asBallin' the Jack. One release, on EnglishColumbia, had title as "Ballin' a Jack," whichpresumably is why that title pops up,especially on English CDs such as my JazzGreats series.Most sources give composer as just "Clark."The Steve Abrams 78 database shows Okeh8533 title as "Ballin' the Jack (Cootie Stomp)"by Charlie Clark. Charlie Clark was a pianistwho recorded duet sides with Blythe in 1931,so he must be the guy. [Abrams was makingstuff up: I found the 8533 label--it’s just Ballin’the Jack, by Clark. ALSO, an OKehdiscography points out that the same take wasreleased on Columbia DB3131 as “Ballin’ aJack”--and I found that label too, with that titleand a credit of Clark.BUT now see this from David Robinson:"I don't have the 78 and in fact never knewthere was a second tune by that name. So Ilistened to it (I have it on a Classics CD). Irecognize the tune as Barrel House Stomp!Of which there were three recordings (as"Barrel House Stomp"). I have all three onreissues:E. C. Cobb and his Corn Eaters, Dec '28,Victor V38023The Cellar Boys (Wingy et al), Jan '30,Vocalion 1503 [I have this version on theTime-Life Teschmacher set]State St. Ramblers, March '31, Champion16320"I've aurally confirmed that these are all thesame tune as the Chicago Footwarmersside."Attribution-wise, I checked the Abramsweb site (of which I was previously unaware,thanks! a useful resource); the Vocalion andVictor are attributed to "Lester Melrose". Noattribution is shown for the Champion. TheClassics CD attributes the Okeh to "Clark"."Interestingly, the Victor has Frank Melroseon piano, the Vocalion has Frank Melrose onpiano plus Charles Melrose on accordion,and the Champion has Jimmy Blythe onpiano."But the Dodds (Chicago Footwarmers), withBlythe on piano, predates the others. Soapparently the Melrose name just gotslapped on a Blythe tune? With a new title?(Or maybe the "Ballin' the/a Jack" title wasan error to begin with?) Better hit the LOC!*[*Actually, I had hit the LoC searching forBarrel House Stomp and found that it wasindeed copyrighted by Lester Melrose.]"Charlie Clark was a pianist who recorded acouple of duet sides with Blythe in 1931."In follow-up conversation, Robinson insiststhat the tunes are way too similar to considerthe Melrose version a variation or newarrangement--there’s just a little difference inthe lead, he says.Still, for now (7/5/04), Erdos & I will list themseparately with a “see also” cross-ref as inDipper Mouth/Sugarfoot et al.I looked through copyright books 1926-29 andcouldn’t find the Charlie Clark tune. Rightnow, all we have to go on is the OKeh and[British] Columbia labels for our composerand title credits.Balthazar (Graeme Bell)Steve Waddell’s Creole Bells 1348Australian Jazz Real Book online confirms, asdo other sources.Baltimore (Jimmy McHugh–Dan Healy–Irving Kahal)Scaniazz 1004Hot Dogs /Victoria Varekamp 1033Red Roseland Cornpickers 1102Minerva JB 1117San Francisco Starlight Orchestra 1296