[Dixielandjazz] Update on the elusive "Bass Cano" question

[David Richoux]

Bill & all,

The most commonly listings of "Bass Cano" I have found were from some  
mid-20th century blues recordings:
Hobo Blues 3:22 (James Rachell)
Yank Rachel - vocal & guitar
Sonny Boy (John Lee) Williamson I - harmonica
W. Mitchell - bass cano or im strng bass
Washboard Sam - wshbrd.
Recorded Studio C, Chicago, IL. Apr. 3, 1941.
Original issue Bluebird 8768/BS-064104-1.
Album: Bluebird Vol. 3 'That's Chicago's South Side'
BMG Music 63988-2

but there are a few others
Dave Richoux

you wrote (back in 2004:)
On Jan 9, 2004, at 7:28 PM, Bill Haesler wrote:

 > Dear Anton,
 > I have 5 of the Yas Yas Girl (Merline Johnson) sides from 31  
August 1939.
 > As you would probably have guessed.
The Alfred Elkins' 'vocal bass' is exactly that. A credible imitation
 > of a string bass, with Elkins "doo-dooing' in time with the music,  
in tune
 > and chordally  correct. To the casual listener it would sound just  
like a
 > double in the manner of (say) blues bassist Bill Settles.
 > I do not have the Monkey Joe sides.
 > I also have 3 sides from the Jazz Gillum session of 20 March 1941,  
the
 > whole of the Yank Rachel session of 11 December 1941 (plus the 3  
April 1941
 > session) but not the Joe Williams session of 12 December 1941. Alfred
 > Elkins' bass cano on these sounds to me like a single string  
imitation
 > bass. Could 'cano' be an abbreviation/mishearing for 'canon' or a  
European
 > name for 'canon' - in music: strict imitation or a composition in  
which
 > strict imitation plays a prominant part. (Source: A Dictionary of  
Music.
 > Penquin 1950).
 > Very kind regards,
 > Bill.
 > PS: The Jazz Gillum and Yank Rachel sessions mentioned above include
 > the wonderful  Washboard Spam (Bill Broonsy's brother-in-law, as I  
recall).
 > Thanks Butch. Loved that email squelch.


On Aug 26, 2007, at 3:26 PM, Bill Haesler wrote:

> David Richoux wrote [in part]:
>> If you remember back a few years, I and others on this list have  
>> been searching for any info about the so called "Bass  
>> Cano" ........ it probably was a discography typo or translation  
>> error going back to the 1960s............should have been simply  
>> "Bass Can" - a one string bass with a 10 gallon tin-can (or  
>> similar) resonator.  There are supposed to be some pictures of  
>> "Bass Can" instruments in Bengt Olsson's "Memphis Blues and Jug  
>> Bands".................Is the Quest finally over?
>
> Dear Dave,
> Yes. I recall that thread.
> I also seem to remember locating in my files the disco reference to  
> the group that used it on record.
> I believe that it is in my collection.
> As my old emails are still 'locked away' in my computer, I can't  
> access the references.
> Do you know the name of the group?
> So far as the Bengt Olsson book is concerned, perhaps our resident  
> bibliophile, Dr Fred Spencer, has a copy and can check out the  
> photographs.
> Kind regards,
> Bill.
>