|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/220638
Grumpy1 - Posted - 11/15/2011: 23:27:13
Well, I realized I had this one on the little Sony recorder also so figured I might as well put it up too. Hope it entertains just a wee bit. Click the button if you like it. 
 Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy |
JanetB - Posted - 11/16/2011: 05:20:12
I've always liked Jimmie Brown the Newsboy
, but your Chattanooga Shoe Shine Boy is a thousand times more cheerful! 
Fathand - Posted - 11/16/2011: 05:32:26
I always thought Jimmy Brown was a cheerful song about someone making the best of their situation with an optimistic hope for the future.
quote:
Originally posted by JanetB
I've always liked Jimmie Brown the Newsboy
JanetB - Posted - 11/16/2011: 06:14:57
I guess when I say that one song is more cheerful, I mean that Jimmie (or Jimmy?) is a brave soul, but tells us his woes. Some people do that, perhaps as self-therapy or just because it's a habit of thought, an attitude about life. When you're around that kind of person, you often hear negative or painful thoughts. We listen to these people and express empathy. Jimmie is a dear boy, but is still dealing with the tough hand life dealt him. We're with him and would support him by buying his newspaper every day and tipping him, too. The Chattanooga shoe shine boy is more happy-go-lucky and shares his cheerful nature as he shines our shoes. He's like the person who does his work with a great big, contagious smile.
Thanks for helping me sort out my thoughts!
Originally posted by Fathand
I always thought Jimmy Brown was a cheerful song about someone making the best of their situation with an optimistic hope for the future.
quote:
Originally posted by JanetB
I've always liked Jimmie Brown the Newsboy
Grumpy1 - Posted - 11/16/2011: 09:32:38
Actually that was just a tune that has stuck in my head for many, many years. It is played on a tenor uke and is the first song I tried to learn on the little guy. I've been too busy to get out the banjo much but carry a uke in the car for messing around with. Recorded it in the car on a little Sony I carry around for scheduling appointments and keeping track of any lyrics I might dream up spontaneously.
I've always thought of it as a happy song about an energetic entrepreneur who is fun loving and kind of happy go lucky.
It's also one of the few tunes my grandson occasionally plays along with me so it has a "special" little niche.
Grumpy1 - Posted - 11/16/2011: 15:51:23
quote:
Originally posted by lg9455
As a kid growing up in Chattanooga, there was a fellow who worked the downtown area shining shoes. He was an older black man with white hair. Hung out on Market and 5th or 6th St.
I can remember this fellow could strike a rythum with the rag and people would stop listen to him. He would do a little dance as he shined shoes like he didn't have a care in the world. I am 65 years old and wish some times I could go back to the good old days.
Most of the younger folks won't remember, or even know about, the old shoeshine stands. I think one of the reasons this tune has stayed with me through the years is an older black fellow who had a stand in the greyhound bus station at 7th St. in San Francisco. In those days it was a fair place to hang around and the old man befriended all us kids. Once in a while when business was slow he would shine shoes for one of us, just for fun. I distinctly remember sitting there, eyes real big and shining, while he snapped and popped that rag in a rhythm it was hard to duplicate. He was truly a musician in his own rite. He was interesting and well schooled. He would regale us with tales of the south and politely excused himself when he had a customer to attend to. One year, in my late teens, he was just no longer there and the stand gathered dust and was finally removed. I suppose he passed on but he was an important part of the life there and he was missed. Another piece of history relegated to the chronicles of time.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
