PDA

View Full Version : Missouri joe



John Craton
Jul-21-2008, 5:55am
A great many years ago while living in Indianapolis, I was listening to a jazz program on the local NPR station where they were playing a number of old out-of-print recordings on 78 rpm records. One of the songs they played I'd never before heard, but it has remained stuck (at least partially) in my head ever since. As best I recall the title of the song was "Missouri Joe," and the only words I can remember were from the chorus which ran simply, "Oh, Joe, that Missouri Joe." I remember it as a rather long piece that seemed to go on forever (I was even surprised that a work that long could have fit on one side of an old 78 rpm disc), but the other details have completely escaped me. I have searched in vain for years to find this song, either a recording, sheet music, or even lyrics, but nothing has ever turned up. Does the piece ring a bell with anyone out there? I suppose I could be mistaken about the title, but that part alone I seem to remember with clarity. Any help, guys? Many thanks.

John Craton
Jul-21-2008, 6:04am
Okay, I'll answer my own post. Although I'd looked a dozen or more times on the web for this song without success, just moments after posting my query I decided to do another sweep of the web and almost immediately found an mp3 of the song. It was recorded in 1911 by Sophie Tucker on an Edison Ambersol cylinder. Anyone so inclined can download the mp3 free at http://beemp3.com/download.php?file=324591&song=Missouri+Joe

Wow, you guys help even when you don't know it! Great to finally hear this song again after all these years. (Now if we can just get a mandolin accompniment arranged. And of course, if anyone knows a ready source for the sheet music....)