Label: EPM Musique.
Release Date: March 6, 1995.
Recording Time: 71 minutes.
Release Info: Compilation (EPM-158292) Studio Recording.
Recording Date: October 31, 1935 - December 16, 1938.
Styles: Acoustic Chicago Blues, Country Blues, Regional Blues, Slide Guitar Blues, Pre-War Country Blues, Acoustic Blues, Jug Band.
The title of this collection is potentially misleading, as most people probably don't know that Will Weldon (aka Casey Bill Weldon) was a Southern bluesman who mastered the steel guitar, an instrument commonly associated with Hawaii during the first half of the 20th century. Weldon was, in fact, influenced by Hawaiian musicians as well as heartland blues artists; his two main inspirations were Sol Hoopii and Peetie Wheatstraw. Weldon also tapped into the currents of rural dance music, and helped pioneer the style known as Western swing. EPM's Hawaiian Guitar Wizard focuses mostly upon Weldon the blues player, presenting 24 examples in a chronological progression that covers the years 1935-1938, during which he recorded mainly under his own name rather than as a sideman under his own name. This includes two of his best-known originals: "We Gonna Move (To the Outskirts of Town)" and "Somebody Changed the Lock on My Door." "Caught Us Doing It" is credited to the Hokum Boys and "Arlena" was released under the name of the Washboard Rhythm Kings solely because of the presence of Washboard Sam. Other participants included bassist Bill Settles, pianist Black Bob, clarinetist Arnett Nelson, mandolinist Charlie McCoy, and guitarists Big Bill Broonzy and Tampa Red. "Guitar Swing" and "New Round and Round" represent a distinctive blend of country-dance and swing. For a wider selection that includes more of that country/swing blend, see Document's three-volume series devoted to this genre-defying individual who during the ‘30s was sometimes billed as the Hawaiian Guitar Wizard. ~ arwulf arwulf
Credits: Joshua Altheimer - piano; J. Arnold - composer; Big Bill Broonzy - composer; Jean Buzelin - cover design, liner notes; Calvin Dillard - vocals; Teddy Edwards - speech / speaker / speaking part; The Hokum Boys - group; Black Bob Hudson - piano; Ransom Knowling - bass; Horace Malcolm - piano; Charlie McCoy - mandolin; Clifford Medlock - vocals; Lester Melrose - composer; Arnett Nelson - clarinet; Andy Razaf - composer; Bill Settles - bass; Henry Singleton - vocals; Tampa Red - guitar; Washboard Rhythm Kings - group; Washboard Sam - washboard; Don Waterhouse - translation; Casey Bill Weldon - composer, guitar, guitar (electric), guitar (steel), primary artist, vocals.
Tracklist:
1. Somebody Changed The Lock On My Door - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
2. My Stove Don't Work - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
3. Arlena - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Washboard Rhythm Kings;
4. Caught Us Doing It - Casey Bill Weldon feat. The Hokum Boys;
5. W.P.A. Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
6. I Got A Letter This Morning - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
7. Has My Gal Been Here - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
8. Casey Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Bill Settles;
9. You Just As Well Let Her Go - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Tampa Red;
10. Big Bill Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Black Bob, Tampa Red;
11. The Big Boat - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie McCoy;
12. Can't You Remember? - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie McCoy;
13. We Gonna Move (To The Outskirts Of Town) - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie McCoy;
14. Back Door Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy, Charlie McCoy;
15. I've Been Tricked - Casey Bill Weldon feat. His Orchestra;
16. Guitar Swing - Casey Bill Weldon feat. The Brown Bombers Of Swing;
17. Spider Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy;
18. You Shouldn't Do That - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy;
19. Worried About That Woman - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy;
20. Go Ahead, Buddy - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Big Bill Broonzy;
21. Christmas Time Blues - Casey Bill Weldon feat. His Orchestra;
22. New Round And Round - Casey Bill Weldon feat. His Orchestra;
23. 'Way Down In Louisiana - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Bill Settles;
24. I Believe You're Cheatin' On Me - Casey Bill Weldon feat. Bill Settles.
Note: tracks 1-4 (1935); 5-14 (1936); 15-20 (1937); 23-24 (1938).