Wizz Jones - 1960

Wizz Jones, one of the first British Beatniks, and noted folk-blues musician, performs two of his songs and talks about his life in this documentary from 1960, which provides an illuminating glimpse of the media's view of alternative lifestyles at that time. The interviews are conducted by veteran reporter Alan Whicker, looking very much like a Monty Python parody of himself. Wizz's two songs in this clip are interesting. Both were versions of older songs, but rewritten by Wizz to mock the Burgermeisters of Newquay. The first was based on "Down on Penny's Farm" by the Bently Boys, a white country duo who recorded it in 1929. The track was reissued on Harry Smith's groundbreaking "Anthology of American Folk Music" LP set put out by Folkways Records in 1952. This was one of the most influential releases in the history of folk music, and spread like wildfire through the folk communities on both sides of the Atlantic. So it's no surprise that Wizz Jones knew of the original recording in 1960 and used it as the basis for a protest song of his own. The other song Wizz sings is based on Elizabeth Cotten's "Oh Babe It Ain't No Lie", which appeared on another Folkways LP release "Folksongs and Instrumentals with Guitar" in 1958. Elizabeth Cotten used the same kind of alternating bass finger-picking style, complicated by the fact that she played a standard six-string guitar left-handed, i.e. upside-down! (Search for Elizabeth Cotten here and see for yourself.)

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Wizz
• Jones
• Beatnik
• folk
• blues

[SixStringPaladin]

The first song he sings is a reworded version of "Down On Penny's Farm" if anyone is looking for the song. Both sound great. Not saying anything about either quality over the other or who was first, just hoping to help someone looking for the song

[lupine22]

That's correct - it's all in the notes. Just click on "more info".

[ddasdfdwed]

The presenters are  I think Cliff Mitchelmore and Alan Whicker I think this is a bit later than 1960 the hair looks 1964/65 as does the striped top . Great clip

[lupine22]

No, it was definitely 1960.

[posthumanhero]

this was def not made in 1960, judging by the hairstyles.

[lupine22]

It definitely was shot in 1960. Those beatniks were ahead of the rest with hairstyles at that time.

[zappahart]

i love it if it wasnt for kieth richards book i would have never heard anything about this guy did he ever come to the usa?????

[dullsvillain]

man , they would beat the crap out of you in 1960 ? for hair like that!

What a coooolllll caaaattt!

[ung427]

Wow, Patty at 6:25 reminds me of Amy Winehouse! Then the other guy at 7:13 reminds me of someone but I just can't put my finger on it...  Maybe it's their parents or something!

[Restlessjohn]

This was definitely 1960 or 1961 at the absolute latest. I knew all these guys, I was in Newquay at the time. Giving the lie to all the statements of the Councilors and Landords I was not interviewed because I was working in a hotel at the time. Newquay is now famous for Stag Parties and Binge Drinking. As my friend Sue said last time I saw her, "I bet they'd love to have us back now, instead of all the binge drinkers being sick in the street!"

[aronsteelo]

Ther was always people on earth who worn their hair long in every decade & year. this is not anything new. Long hair was worn in lincoln"s time, Einstein & Indians also had long hair.Check out the Castro Cuban revelution docu. on You tube narrated by Errol Flynn who died in 1959 not 1969. Long hair was not a 1960's or Beatles invention.

[coillockspiral]

Very interesting video. Wizz Jones is outstanding!

[zabac456]

Yea........ Keith Richards has me onto this!! :)

[MrBuk86]

As the one reviewer said, the first tune is a reworking of Down On Penny's Farm, which one can hear by the Bentley Boys.

[mushroomagical]

This is amazing. I am a Bay Area hippie in my 20s....it's nice to know that, as early as 1960 in England, there were beatniks / hippies. Thanks for posting!!!

[ScenesFromPalacio]

Brillliant. bit of archive.Thanx for uploading

[AllardFumerton69]

Download the audio from this song at soundnabber doht cohm.