Josh White (1914-1969) - One Meat Ball

I had the good fortune to hear Josh White in a small venue, two years prior to his death. I went to a matinee where folk songs and children's music were featured. I wish now, I had gone to the night time show, and heard some of that "grown folks' music." I'm sure it was smokin' hot.

"Langston Hughes... wrote in the liner notes of the 1944 Josh White album Songs by Josh White: "You could call Josh White 'The Minstrel of the Blues' except that he is more than just 'The Minstrel of the Blues.' The Blues are Negro music, but although he is a Negro, Josh is a fine folk singer of anybodys songs—southern Negro or southern white, plantation work songs or modern union songs, English or Irish balladsSongs that come from the heart of the people."

"White also would become the closest African-American friend and confidant to the president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Ironically, however, White's anti-segregationist and international human rights political stance presented in many of his recordings and in his speeches at rallies resulted in the right-wing McCarthyites incorrectly assuming that he must have been a Communist. Accordingly, from 1947 through the mid 1960s, White was caught in the vise grip of the anti-Communist Red Scare, and combined with his resulting attempt to clear his name, his career was harmed immeasurably."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_White

Your voice is in our hearts, Josh White.

Thank you

Snaps

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Josh
• White
• Blues
• Folk

[clipsius58]

A letter my father wrote to his sister while he was fighting in WW II referenced this song.."No I haven't heard the songs 'One Meatball' or 'Rum and Coca-Cola'. Decided to look it up and here it is! Thank you.

[synapsecracklepop]

@clipsius58 "Rum and Coca-Cola" is, I think, The Andrews Sisters. I'm old enough to remember when this stuff was "hot wax."



[PrimalStones]

I sing this too my mate who has one testicle.

[synapsecracklepop]

@PrimalStones If I couldn't laugh I'd be crying ALL the time. That, Mr. Stones, is funnier than FLICK.

[RT101894]

he did the original?

[synapsecracklepop]

@RT101894 No, I think another variation of this song dates to the Civil War... and it was updated and popularized, Depression Era. Now that's from memory... I read about this when I first uploaded it... so don't quote me. Mr White's arrangement is the most notable and well known in modern times.

[FairDealDan]

Give the little guy a break! GET HIM SOME FUCKING BREAD!!!!

[RafaSanSeverino]

FUCKING GENIOUS

[Odin029]

@WorkingTeacher With all the immigrants and poorly educated people living in early 20th century America I don't think Black people were the only ones using bad English. The waiter could be Italian or Polish or anything...

[epilepsy211]

this made me laugh because its about a meatball, but sad because he could only afford 1 :S

[auntiezanne]

I thought the Dr. Demento version was the real one, but oh my goodness-- this song was almost a totally different song!! Reminds me of the music about sleeping in a car and eating bologna sandwiches. Thanks and praise that I was born so much later that this all sounds like history, not reality!

[XDRobsonCleyton]

very nice, the music talking about crash in 29

[clipsius58]

@synapsecracklepop Thank you. I listened to that version as well.

[clipsius58]

@synapsecracklepop