The Steel Guitar Forum

Posted: **14 Sep 2006 6:16 pm**

There was some discussion recently about the origins of rock & roll. For anyone who is familiar with San Francisco this clip is full of nostalgia...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yMZuDCOl0k

No steel guitar, but take this plus Bill Haley's steel guitarist and you have rock & roll.

Posted: **14 Sep 2006 9:36 pm**

Clearly a precursor to rock n roll.
Which is one reason why it was so hated,
when white kids like Elvis adopted it.
It was considered "Race Music" back when.

But it is easy to see why the baby boomer kids loved it,
an infectious energy.

If you like this, get Joe Jacksons Jumping Jive album,
a tribute to Louis Jordan.
A must for most any record collection.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 14 September 2006 at 10:40 PM.]

Posted: **15 Sep 2006 2:35 am**

I second that, the musicians Joe Jackson hired for that album are all top notch. The arrangements are fantastic and of course the material is strong. I don't think Joe Jackson got enough credit for what he could do musically.

Posted: **15 Sep 2006 4:49 am**

Yeah, he played piano and vibes on it,
and both well.
And Graham Maby is the same bass player
for all the prvious albums, like Look Sharp too.

Joe was a Graduate of the Royal Acadamy Of Music.
On a scolarship.
But he also put himself through school, housing, food, travel etc,
playing jazz piano on the Playboy Club House Band.

He has always been more than the apparent
sum of his parts.

And a huge Louis Jordan fan.

The next album was Night and Day
with serious NYC latin players,
and same bassplayer Graham Maby.

Posted: **15 Sep 2006 8:00 am**

Fantastic energy and showmanship! Any idea when it was recorded?

Posted: **15 Sep 2006 3:03 pm**

About 1947 I believe.

To see the direct line from New Orleans Jazz through Jump Jive to Rock & Roll you have to watch Louis Prima, who started out in the 20s with a traditional New Orleans band, and ended with his death in the 80s (I think). I tried to find a video of his Jump Jive and Wail, which was a classic, but it hasn't been posted.

Here's Brian Setzer's version, which to my mind doesn't have the sheer abandon of Louis Prima's original. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XEqkLe8XeQ

Then compare that with the king of them all, Bill Haley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDVxz8KD83Y

A shame they don't show much of the steel player.[This message was edited by Alan F. Brookes on 15 September 2006 at 04:04 PM.]