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Honky Tonk Train Blues
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Wikipedia article
"'Honky Tonk Train Blues'" is a song written by Meade Lux Lewis, and first recorded in 1927. A proto boogie-woogie song, it has many of the traits that would come to be identified with rock and roll. It is also the first recorded use of the term "honky tonk" in a song.
History
The single, when first released, sold poorly, and Lux ended up working in a car wash for a living,[https://rateyourmusic.com/music-review/ricodetroit/meade-lux-lewis/honky-tonk-train-blues-whistlin-blues/31784470 Honky Tonk Train Blues / Whistlin' Blues (1937)], Rateyourmusic.com but it was later heard by John Hammond, who found Lux and hired him to record the song again, initially releasing it in Europe. In 1937 he re-recorded it again, releasing the song in the US, where it was a hit, subsequently touring the country in a series of concerts that helped popularize boogie-woogie.
Legacy
It has gone on to be recorded in various contexts, often in a big band arrangement. Early recordings of the piece by artists other than Lewis include performances by Adrian Rollini, Frankie Trumbauer, classical harpsichordist Sylvia Marlowe, theater organist George Wright (with drummer Cozy Cole, under the title "Organ Boogie"), and Bob Zurke with Bob Crosby's orchestra.[http://www.originals.be/en/originals/2512 HONKY TONK TRAIN BLUES], Originals.be[https://secondhandsongs.com/work/93207/versions Honky Tonk Train Blues 62nd in 1927], Secondhandsongs.com
* 1935 Albert Ammons
* 1938 Bob Crosby - Boogie Woogie Instrumental Featuring Bob Zurke At The Piano [https://archive.org/details/78_honky-tonk-train_bob-crosby-and-his-orchestra-meade-lux-lewis-bob-zurke_gbia0002696b Honky Tonk Train : Bob Crosby and his Orchestra : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive], achive.org
** Benny Goodman
* 1939 Jimmy Yancey
* 1963 Rob Hoeke - Boogie Woogie Quartet
* 1968 Claude Bolling
* 1974 Bjrn J:son Lindh
* 1976 Keith Emerson
* 1997 David Maxwell
Keith Emerson often included it in his repertoire, and his recording of it was a Top 30 hit in the UK Singles Chart.
References
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