[Dixielandjazz] Re: Shave 'em dry

[Bill Haesler]

Dear Stan,
You were not rude. (Well, I did not think so.)
I certainly realised that your comment was tongue-in-cheek.
You say that you have the Bogan version, but which one?
She did two takes in New York on 5 March 1935 for ARC.
[I did say three previously, but have found that the 'other' one is the same
as the issued version, but dubbed from a different pressing.]
The risqué one was issued on Banner and its affiliated labels at the time.
The explicit version was apparently also sold 'under-the-counter', as a
custom party-record 78, at the time.
This is the version that my mate Phil O'Rourke quotes occasionally - "when
pertinent". Phil has no need to make up his own lyrics, as the Bogan version
is gory enough.
I am quite broadminded and love fun in my music.
Risqué songs never bother me, as they were part of the music hall/vaudeville
tradition I grew up with.
However, I do not include Lucille Bogan's "Shave 'Em Dry" on my 'favourites'
list. Too in your face, as the kids say (and sing about) today.
You may recall that, prompted by Alan Lomax, Jelly Roll Morton also sang
some very 'direct' "Winnin' Boy Blues' lyrics for the 1938 Library of
Congress series. I always skip these when I play the records. I am sure that
Jelly would have been mortified if he knew that they would be readily
available publicly in later years.
Must be getting old!
Very kind regards,
Bill.