Clarence Williams - You Rascal You (1931)

Clarence Williams (October 8, 1898 -- November 6, 1965) was an American jazz pianist, composer, promoter, vocalist, theatrical producer, and publisher.

Williams was born in Plaquemine, Louisiana, ran away from home at age 12 to join Billy Kersand's Traveling Minstrel Show, then moved to New Orleans. At first Williams worked shining shoes and doing odd jobs, but soon became known as a singer and master of ceremonies. By the early 1910s he was a well regarded local entertainer also playing piano, and was composing new tunes by 1913. Williams was a good business man and worked arranging and managing entertainment at the local African-American vaudeville theater as well as various saloons and dance halls around Rampart Street, and clubs and houses in Storyville.

Williams started a music publishing business with violinist/bandleader Armand J. Piron 1915, which by the 1920s was the leading African-American owned music publisher in the country. He toured briefly with W.C. Handy, set up a publishing office in Chicago, then settled in New York in the early 1920s. In 1921, he married blues singer and stage actress Eva Taylor with whom he would frequently perform. He supervised African-American recordings (Race Series) for New York offices of Okeh phonograph company in the 1920s; He recruited many of the artists who performed on that label. He also recorded extensively, leading studio bands frequently for OKeh, Columbia and occasionally other record labels. He was the recording director for the short-lived QRS Records label in 1928. Most of his recordings were songs from his publishing house, which explains why he recorded tunes like "Baby, Won't You Please Come Home", "Close Fit Blues" and "Papa De-Da-Da" numerous times[1].

He mostly used "Clarence Williams' Jazz Kings" for his hot orchestra sides and "Clarence Williams' Washboard Five" for his washboard sides. He also produced and participated in early recordings by Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Bessie Smith and many others. The legendary King Oliver played cornet on a number of Williams' late 1920s recordings.

In 1933, he signed to the Vocalion label and recorded quite a number of popular recordings, mostly featuring washboard percussion, through 1935.

In 1943 Williams sold his extensive back-catalogue of tunes to Decca Records for $50,000 and retired, but then bought a bargain used goods store which he ran to keep himself busy. Williams died in Queens, New York City in 1965 and was interred in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York. On her passing in 1977, his wife was interred next to him. Their grandson is Clarence Williams III.

Clarence Williams - I'll be Glad When You're Dead, You Rascal You (1931)

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Clarence
• Williams
• 20's
• 30's
• 1931

[oldtimemoonshine77]

I love this shit!!!

[dylansaves]

this is a great tune.

[faearanel]

Not only do I love the atmosphere of those orignial old stuff, but the information, that you posted underneath - thanks for this!

[lynekab]

@lynekab my comment should have said "I did not know he was Clarence Williams III's grandfather". The elder Williams died in 1965, so he did get a chance to see his grandson's budding career and the changing attitudes toward Blacks. I wish Williams III would do something on his grandfather whether a film or book. He can provide information that others may not know about or this history could be forever lost.

[lynekab]

I did know he was Clarence Williams III's grandfather.

[nyarlathotep99]

1931? I'll be dipped

[clarencevw]

This is why I like being called Clarence Williams

[fredjmp]

Fantastic!

[ZuLeO7]

You asked my wife to wash your clothes, you rascal, you.

You asked my wife to wash your clothes

And something else I suppose!

.. hihihi

How passionate!!

[LadyofWar1980]

This song is great. It's dark and mean but kinda cynical and hilarious. Good stuff!

[aderivaldocabral]

the bugs are gonna have you!

oh dear, grinning here woth my headset!