Re: [Harp-L] Shakey Jake (was Willie Dixon "Spoonfull")

[Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Steve,

Before Bill signed with Alligator, he did several recordings for 
small L.A. labels. In '78 he guested on a Shakey Jake LP "Make It 
Good To You," and then did an LP of his own called "Hittin' Heavy" -- 
both of which were released on Shakey Jake's tiny Good Time Records 
label. I suspect what you heard probably came from this period.

cheers,
TB

.


Hey Tom,
About 10+  years ago The Wagman played his usual 4 o'clock spotlight on
William Clarke and one of the old songs he played from Clarke he mentions it
was probbly Shakey Jake doing the vocals.
Do you know anything about Shakey Jake doing this early stuff in Clarke's
career?



On Sat, Jan 29, 2011 at 11:01 AM, Tom Ball <havaball@xxxxxxx> wrote:

>  Big Walter did go by "Shakey," but "Shakey Jake" was an altogether
>  different harp player.  Real name was James Harris. Lived 1921-1990.
>  Recorded with Willie Dixon, Freddy King, Jack McDuff, Memphis Slim, T-Bone
>  Walker, Otis Spann, John Mayall, Sunnyland Slim, Magic Sam and many others.
>
>  He was also Magic Sam's uncle (and sometimes self-appointed "manager.")  A
>  real character, Shakey Jake. Ex-professional gambler. I crossed paths with
>  him many times when he lived in LA and had a small record label there ("Good
>  Times Records.") Jake could talk a blue streak, and his BS always had me in
>  stitches.
>
>  -Tom Ball