That's What I like about the South

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 16 Oct 2006 4:01 am

Anyone know of an earlier recording of this song than Bob Wills, 1942, or was that the first?

Thanks.

Dan

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Dan Beller-McKenna
Big Red
Durham, NH

[This message was edited by Dan Beller-McKenna on 16 October 2006 at 05:03 AM.][This message was edited by Dan Beller-McKenna on 16 October 2006 at 08:16 PM.]

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Oct 2006 6:25 am

I seem to remember Tex Williams doing that song. Along with "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke That Cigarette".

JERRY THURMOND · Post by **JERRY THURMOND** » 16 Oct 2006 6:27 am

I think Phil Harris done this song, but I don't know if it was before Bob Wills. Jerry

Al Johnson · Post by **Al Johnson** » 16 Oct 2006 6:49 am

Tex Williams and the Western Caravan did That's what I like about the West.

Not South
Al

Smiley Roberts · Post by **Smiley Roberts** » 16 Oct 2006 7:30 am

In a "hurry" search of "google",I found this:

Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys - 1942
Phil Harris - 1947

It was,also,recorded by Cliff Bruner.
Hope this helps.

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mm if it ain't got that twang.</pre>

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 16 Oct 2006 9:56 am

You're right, It was Phil Harris I was thinking about!

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 16 Oct 2006 11:55 am

Dan, Did you look here?
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_m/104-0487915-8963942?url=search-alias%3Dmusic-song&field-keywords=That%27s+what+I+like+about+the+south&Go.x=4&Go.y=5

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 16 Oct 2006 7:15 pm

Thanks all,

I came up with the same info as Smiley(wills '42), but the academic in me never likes to go by Goiogle alone. Without any further candidates from my forum friends, however, I'm satisfied (for now at least) it was Wills who first recorded it.

Dan

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Dan Beller-McKenna
Big Red[br]
[A HREF="http://bluetrainmusic.net"]Blue Train[/A][br]
Durham, NH

Mitch Drumm · Post by **Mitch Drumm** » 16 Oct 2006 10:12 pm

The song was written by Andy Razaf in 1933. One among a jillion of his great songs.

Earliest I know of is Phil Harris on Vocalion 3583. Recorded 3/31/37, way down south in Los Angeles.

Original title: That's What I Like About the South (The Groove Song).

Bob Wills cut a lot of pop and jazz tunes, but I can't think of one on which he had the first cut.

Cliff Bruner did a great version in 1944 with Moon Mullican singing.

Harris recut the song in the late 40s.[This message was edited by Mitch Drumm on 16 October 2006 at 11:22 PM.]

Dan Beller-McKenna · Post by **Dan Beller-McKenna** » 17 Oct 2006 2:08 am

Aha!

Thanks Mitch. I had only seen the second date for Harris, not the original, so he probably was the first.

Thanks again to everyone.

Dan

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Dan Beller-McKenna
Big Red[br]
Blue Train[br]
Durham, NH