Stagger Lee

         

Mick writes:

Whilst definitely not wishing to promote gun violence, here's a tale from the olden days which has a certain atmospheric quality to it. A true story from Christmas night 1895 when 'Stag' Lee was drinking with his aquaintance William 'Billy' Lyons at the Bill Curtis Saloon. Things didn't go well.

Lloyd Price's 1958 hit version of Stagger Lee was one of the 45 rpm singles that my brother Derek brought home when I was just a young child. I probably wore it out, and the B-side, before he got the chance to hear it. A great piece of stomping romping New Orleans R&B.

So I thought I'd have a go, and it was a lot of fun. I've added a little slap back echo to get that swing and I think it works, although the track has come out very retro. Still, nothing wrong with that.

Lead guitar on my 60s Danelectro which, after trying some alternatives, fits the bill perfectly.

Guns are bad. Don't use guns. However.. Rock'n'Roll is good. Go Stagger Lee.



Original photo by ISO Republic, Unsplash