RE: fwd, eldorado caddilac, the real story

["Linda Delong" <delongj@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> [Original Message]
> From: harp-l-listadmin <listadmin@xxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: 6/17/2004 7:52:48 PM
> Subject: fwd,  eldorado caddilac, the real story
>
>
> I don't normally do this because it's confusing but here goes.
>
> <scottd@xxxxxxxx> originating poster
>
>
> I just came across this thread, and followed the responses with
> interest, but stayed out of it, thinking that someone would eventually
> come up with a correct answer.  But since it seems to be getting more
> confused rather than more clear, here are the facts as I understand
> them.
>
> "I Ain't Got You" WAS written by a guy named Calvin Carter, but this
> Calvin Carter had nothing to do with soul singer Clarence Carter.  This
> Calvin Carter was the brother of Vee Jay Records founder Vivian Carter,
> and worked for his sister as a producer/A&R man.  "A&R" means "artists
> and repertoire", and in the "repertoire" part of his job, he wrote or
> co-wrote a lot of material that was recorded by Vee Jay artists.  (Some
> would say that in this capacity, he may have also simply put his name
> on some existing material that was brought to him by prospective Vee
> Jay artists, but that's an entirely separate issue.)
>
> Jimmy Reed recorded Carter's composition "I Ain't Got You" c. 1954, but
> Vee Jay did not release it.  Because Carter apparently felt the song
> had potential, he then presented it to Billy Boy Arnold when Arnold
> first recorded for Vee Jay c. 1956.  This time, Vee Jay DID release it,
> and it became a local hit for Billy Boy.  Vee Jay released the Jimmy
> Reed recording of the song LATER, even though it was recorded earlier.
>
> A few years later, the Yardbirds apparently picked up on the "hit"
> version of the song by Billy Boy Arnold, and changed the words around
> to suit themselves, since they probably didn't know what "Goldblatt's"
> was either.  And of course "Eldorado Cadillacs" weren't sold, or very
> well known, in England.
>
> (Disclaimer - I'm not at home now so I can't check any reference
> sources, but I'mm pretty sure this info is accurate.)
>
> Scott
>
    I first learned this tune from the Animals "Animal Tracks" album, and
my band still bases our interpretation on this version.The lyrics are
altered a bit but it's still a cool song. Like many white kids in the 60's,
I  heard the covers of many blues songs well before the originals. If you
want to hear our take on "I Ain't Got You" go to humboldtmusic.com and
search for Checkered Demons.
                                                                            
                 Jeff