Gang-

I need some info on this tune. I've the sheet music laying around for ever but have never played it. I now have a request for it, but need some background on it.

1) Was there a "classic" recording or version of this tune that all others worked off of? One that would've been really popular?

2) Who's version stands out? My search turns up everybody from Sam Cooke, Gene Vincent, Brook Benton, Pete Seeger, Satchmo, Van Morrison and Johnny Cash...

3) The requester recalls it as a medium tempo tune. I've heard a shuffle beat with it but also an easy swing works as well.

I get the idea I'm just going to do my own thing with it, while trying to stay respectful to the original version, if I can figure out what that was, lol...

Thoughts?

Thanks!

Here's what I pulled up on Wikipedia:
Frankie and Johnny (song)

IMHO, the most popular version was performed by Mae West. It was a big hit, if my memory serves me correctly, sometime in the 1930s. The attached video is about as close as it gets to the Mae West version.



Enjoy,

Gary

Depends on the audience. Sometimes I do the Elvis version, sometimes Johnny Cash's, (sometimes a long-legged guitar picker just can't tell what to pick . . .), sometimes blues or New Orleans jazz version. Make it your OWN!

DonM

I can't imagine this tune other than a slow to medium Dixie Swing

IMHO you won't find a better version than Merl Haggard's.
Album: Same Train, A Different Track (Songs of Jimmie Rogers)

Hear it on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MASDOcr1gQc

Enjoy
Don P

Love it. I'd like to hear the Jimmy Rodgers version!
DonM

Here you go, Don ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phLsYB1HA7o