I was outside in the sun doing my Jack LaLanne  leg lifts while listening to “Hound Dog” on my mp3 player when it dawned on me I should find out more about Big Mama Thornton. I know a lot about Elvis and we’ve all heard his take on this classic tune but have you heard Big Mama’s version?

I looked up Big Mama Thornton and found out her real name was Willie Mae Thornton born in 1926 and died in 1984. She was a rhythm & blues singer, songwriter and the first to record the hit song “Hound Dog” in 1952. The song was #1 on the Billboard R&B charts for seven weeks. You might recall the song by Janice Joplin called “Ball & Chain”. Well Big Mama made that a hit first and then Janice did her own thing with it in the late 60’s.

I’ve mentioned before I like to listen when the collective conscious whispers to me. I’m glad I did because it turns out there is a musical performance going on now in Los Angeles starring Blues & Jazz legend Barbara Morrison.

If you’re in the area do like Big Mama would say, “Go on get!”

Get yourself over to a performance. Visit Barbara’s official site for more information. http://barbaramorrison.com/

A Blues Musical
“Howlin’ Blues & Dirty Dogs”
The life and times of “Big Mama Thornton”
Starring Blues & Jazz Legend Barbara Morrison
details Call : 310-462-1439
Where:
The Stella Adler Theatre
6773 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA.
When:
January 22, – April 12, 2009

Time:
8PM Thursday, Friday, Saturday,
3PM and 6PM on Sundays

I was whistling this legendary cowboy song the other day while running errands in my mini van. This isn’t a Halloween tune but it is about ghosts riding through the sky, a devils herd, and hearing mournful cries. The eerie chorus is haunting, yet catchy at the same time.

My favorite version has always been the Vaughn Monroe hit of 1949.

I was surprised to find so many different versions of the same tune. Turns out their was at least 50 adaptations, many of them all from 1949. Burl Ives  did a rendition which makes me think more of Frosty the Snowman than ghosts.

Here’s Elvis rehearsing the song in 1970 at the MGM soundstage.

 Another one by the Toy Dolls, showing off their radical 80′s shades, and killer drum beats:

And for all you comic book lovers out there, the rock cover by Spiderbait from the movie Ghost Rider starring Nicolas Cage.

Deborah Harry did a trance version you can listen to on her website: http://www.deborahharry.com/music/ghostridersinthesky.mp3

I’d love to hear the adaptations by The Doors, The Ventures, and Dean Martin. We can’t forget the one by Johnny Cash. I could sit here all day listening to these variations, watching those red-eyed, steel-hooved cattle thundering across the sky, being chased by the ghosts of damned cowboys. I could, but I have laundry, dishes and dusting to do.  Yippee-yi-ya, yippee-yi-yo!