cktimes.ca Archives for Classic Vinyl


Classic Vinyl

With Allan Day

MYSTERY TRAIN

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Little Junior Parker Mystery Train Lyrics Paul Butterfield

Mystery Train was recorded in either September or October 1953 by a band lead by Herman Parker. Herman later became known as "Little Junior" in Clarksdale, Mississippi, during the 1930's. He worked with Howlin' Wolf's band then later formed his own band "The Blues Flames" in 1952----Mystery Train was the follow-up to "Feelin' Good' his SUN Records debut.

The lyrical inspiration for "Mystery Train" came from a song that both black and white people throughout the south knew very well---first recorded by the Carter Family in 1930 as "Worried Man Blues". Elvis recorded "Mystery Train" on July 11, 1955 and he cut it in one take---you can hear him laugh at the end as he didn't think it was a take. Mystery Train/I Forgot To Remember to Forget became Elvis Presley's last SUN single and failed to make either the pop or R&B charts----it did make no. 11 on the country charts in September 1955.

How Many Coaches was that? In 1944 Woody Guthrie added five coaches to the song. Lonnie Donegan recorded "Worried Man Blues" and he decided that 21 coaches sounded right for him. The Grateful Dead performed the song once live in concert in 1970 and reduced the number of carriages to fifteen.

Over the years many artists have recorded this great tune--Little Junior Parker/1955, Elvis Presley/1955, Paul Butterfield/1965, Junior Wells/1968, Grateful Dead/1970, Flying Burrito Brothers/1973, Alvin Lee/1974, The Band 1978, UFO/1980, The Nighthawks/1981, The Stray Cats/1990, Willie & The Poor Boys/1992, Neville Brothers/1995 and Bill Wyman and the Rhythm Kings---I am sure many of you cktimes readers have your favourite band doing their cover version of this great song.

This week's youtube's just happen to be some of the different bands covering "Mystery Train" Scotty Moore and Eric Clapton http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7nz0boA0BFo&feat...ure=related Elvis Presley http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=bt5lznvz9iE&feat...ure=related The Doors (one this columnist favourite's) http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=r1edfKlDPaM&feat...ure=related and the Brian Setzer Orchestra http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4E47CTMBVz8&feat...ure=related

Hope you enjoyed this weeks column and see you in 2 weeks---contact me at bluesslider88@yahoo.ca or at cktimes with any comments you would like to make about classic vinyl



Allan Day----long time acquaintance of John Gardiner----I presently live in Goderich Ontario, retired (oh yeah) and live for the sound of music, especially from the 60's music explosion---I hope you enjoy some of my articles and they bring back some lost memories of bands gone by. Now I have to let you know that I am a HUGE Rolling Stones fan, collector, historian and I hope to hear any stories you might have on this GREAT Band from the 60's----email me at CK Times and let me know what you have or memories you have of this group. I will include stories and short stories on The Stones each week.