[Dixielandjazz] Re: Blue Bell etc.

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Craig,
It looks like Bunk Johnson has done it again!
Trotted out an old tune(s) and 'remembered' the title.
It seems that Bunk was the first to record "Blue Bells Goodbye" (2 Oct 1942)
as such. Others, including Sidney Bechet, Conrad Janis, Ken Colyer, Papa Bue
and numerous New Orleans revivalists, followed.
"Blue Bell" was (as you say) composed in 1904 by Theodore F Morse,
music-Edward Madden, lyrics.
That great song composer authority, Dick Baker, appears to have already
solved part of your question.
In his fine Stomp Off Record Tune Title index he gives the following credit
for "Blue Bells Goodbye": (Bunk Johnson, based largely on "Bright Eyes (Good
Bye)" by Egbert Van Alstyne-Harry H Williams).
The notes by Bill Knowles to a Grand Dominion Jazz Band rendition of the
Bunk version (on Stomp Off) confirms this but says that Bunk also borrowed
from the above "Blue Bell", the 1904  Morse-Madden march/song.
Further research (and listening) shows that the Alstyne-Williams composition
"Bright Eyes (Good Bye)" was composed in 1905 and is not the "Bright Eyes"
from 1920 by Motzan-Jerome-Smith and recorded by Louis Prima in Dec 1934 .
Clear as mud?
8>)
Very kind regards,
Bill.