Post 452: 'I CAN'T ESCAPE' - 'YOU CAN'T ESCAPE' ?

Here's something we need to sort out.

In 1936, Leo Robin and Richard Whiting composed a song called I Can't Escape From You. You can watch Bing Crosby singing it in the 1936 movie 'Rhythm on the Range' BY CLICKING HERE.  

Then in 1939, a song called You Can't Escape From Me was composed by Charles French (words) and Sammy Lowe and Erskine Hawkins (music). You can hear the Erskine Hawkins Orchestra recording of it BY CLICKING HERE.

And in 1944 George Lewis recorded (in the San Jacinto Hall) a tune he called San Jacinto Stomp, though it is clearly the Erskine Hawkins tune You Can't Escape From Me. You can check this: listen to George Lewis BY CLICKING HERE. Many traditional jazz bands since then have played it under the title San Jacinto Stomp.

But, adding to the confusion, I Can't Escape From You and You Can't Escape From Me are very similar in structure. They use virtually the same chord progression. So it's not surprising that bandleaders often (incorrectly) tell you that I Can't Escape is also known as San Jacinto Stomp.

The words of You Can't Escape From Me are nothing special. On the other hand, the words of I Can't Escape From You (you heard them in the Bing Crosby film clip) are fun to sing.

So, it's possible today to play a song you call I Can't Escape, actually using the tune of You Can't Escape, even though your words are those of I Can't Escape! Confusing, isn't it?

The result can be exhilarating. It's what happens when Marla Dixon performs with The Shotgun Jazz Band. I made a video of them playing this tune. Sample it BY CLICKING HERE.

Marla's husband, John, has added further enlightenment (or confusion!) by telling me the song is also Not to be confused with 'I Can't Escape From You' by Hank Williams, the lyrics of which also work on top of that familiar 32-bar pattern! You can find the Hank Williams performance on YouTube.

Finally, with deepest gratitude to my friend John Whitehorn, here is the sheet music for You Can't Escape:

Post 435: KAT'S GOT KITTENS!

One of my friends says every jazz programme should include at least one bit of nonsense. And I know a couple of fans who constantly request The Cat's Got Kittens (often written as The Kat's Got Kittens).

It is not a tune that's easy to find on YouTube - or anywhere else. I don't know its origin. But the earliest recording of it seems to have been made in New Orleans on 15 May 1945, when the singer was Edward 'Noon' Johnson (1903-1969) and the supporting band included George Lewis, Lawrence Marrero, Baby Dodds, Bunk Johnson and Alcide Pavageau. Here's a picture of Noon Johnson in later years, playing an instrument he invented - the bazooka - along with Kid Sheik Colar (trumpet) and George Guesnon (banjo).

The Cat's Got Kittens could have been 'composed' by anybody (maybe Noon himself). All that was needed was to put some nonsense words and a slightly different melodic emphasis to You Can't Escape From Me (aka San Jacinto Stomp), (words by Charles French, music by Erskine Hawkins and Sammy Lowe). It was published and recorded in 1939.

Fifty years after the Edward 'Noon' Johnson recording, The Cat's Got Kittens was popularized by Cliff 'Kid' Bastien (1937-2003), when he played for years in Toronto.

Cliff 'Kid' Bastien

You can access his storming version - and purchase it, if you wish - BY CLICKING HERE. (Then click on the arrow to make it play.)

And Marla Dixon - herself from Toronto and inspired by Kid Bastien's band - can sometimes be persuaded to sing it at The Spotted Cat in New Orleans, with The Shotgun Jazz Band.

It's a merry and simple tune to play. It works well in Bb. Need the chords? Just think You Can't Escape From Me. I am deeply indebted to my friend John Whitehorn for supplying me with copies of the sheet music.

For a clear performance by a British group CLICK ON TO THIS VIDEO. It's the The Black Cat Jazz Band.
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Footnote:
Friend and Correspondent Carsten writes:
I, in turn, was doing a bit of research in relation to 1930s British dance bands and suddenly had my memory jogged about Henry Hall's recording of An Elephant Never Forgets (they famously recorded Bananas, too, of course).  In case it's capable of incorporation into your humorous repertoire, here's a YouTube clip - my favourite line in the lyrics is "You can soft-soap an antelope, but an elephant never forgets".   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rqC4gje5_c