Weed Smoker's Dream -Harlem Hamfats

Another oddity from my archives.
Despite their name, the "Harlem" Hamfats were a Chicago band in the 1930's whose members came from various places; for example, the McCoy brothers hailed from Mississipi, Herb Morand, John Lindsay and Odell Rand were from New Orleans and Horace Malcolm and Freddy Flynn came from Chicago!!

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  Music

[Smudgefizz]

Joe McCoy wrote this tune in 1936 (his wife was Memphis Minnie, who co-wrote "When the Levee Breaks" with him in 1929, that Led Zep cover on their 4th LP). Joe later changed the lyrics to "Weed Smokers Dream" & it was released as "Why Don't You Do Right" by Lil Green with Big Bill Broonzy on guitar in 1941. Peggy Lee then covered it in the Benny Goodman Orchestra in 1942, making it famous. Peggy re-recorded versions of it in 1947 & even in the 1990's. Lots of other artists also covered it.

[Clive Dellino]

Wow! Thanks for the definitive history.

[Clive Dellino]

I think that the penultimate line is not "yourself" but "your stuff" in both of your comments.

[William Cox]

Now that's AMERICANA! Thanks a million for the post, man!

[Johnny Dodson]

this is great



[TheTrilnp]

love it

[Harley Quinn]

This is incredible. Thank you for uploading it.

[Kyle Nantz]

the name came about due to the harlem renaissance. a bunch of african americans were going to harlem, but all band members managed to meet up in chicago. thus, a "harlem renaissance" of sorts in its own right. a group of african americans getting together and exploring the art.

[rotyoung]

I read somewhere that the Harlem Hamfats wasn't the full name. But the full name was so "blue" that they kept that of record sleaves -)

[depletedmind]

From different eras but still have the exact same dream. Nothing actually changes it seems.

[feebus1]

Great transfer,nice bass. What cartridge are you using? Thanks!

[Nobeester]

I listened to Weed Smokers Dream before I commented. After I typed the last letter, I began to read the comments and saw others said the same thing as I did. I expected to get bombed with sarcastic replies. But only ONE? Gosh, I feel ignored. LOL

[acohen1980]

Very interesting facts...thanx