 |
| Louisiana Gov. Jimmie Davis |
The song for this week--You Are My Sunshine. Listen to the version on S&P download--by Jimmy Davis, former governor of Louisiana, with prior a music career (you can look into this). He sang the song on the campaign trail all over Louisiana in the year 1940. It soon became popular all over the country--and during the war. Bob Dylan at one point said that it was our best song...
Jimmy Davis
where from
when recorded
the history
precedents (heavenly sunshine, laura hinton--see American Song Archive) and poke around on this
black southern traditions
white southern traditions
their interweaving
learn by finding recordings as specific examples (by date)
Look into precedents: Laura Henton's Heavenly Sunshine, for example, in which you can hear Will the Circle be Unbroken--but also the melody dynamics of You Are My Sunshine.) (You can find this on the American Song Archive, under Resources post on class blog.) Look for other earlier songs that may have influenced Jimmy Davis--that formed his world.
Also listen to Ollie Gilbert's "down home" version, on Max Hunter Archive (also on Resources post). What's the difference between Ollie's version and Jimmy Davis? Why? How will this influence your new project?
You Are My Sunshine - Max Hunter Folk Song Collection - Missouri State University
You Are My Sunshine is not precisely about place. Or is it? Where does it take you, place-wise?
 |
| Ollie Gilbert |
Reading: Lomax selections in Reader, pps. 1-32. Read for tone as well as content. Look into the Lomax story (John Lomax and his son, Alan--both important--crucial--figures in American folk music.) Alan Lomax collection was published in 1960. John and Alan Lomax collection in 1947. See bibliography (on blog) for full details.
Other versions (from YouTube). This is just a smattering of what's out there. I've followed the 50-year rule, of course--which I want you to do as well:
YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE, BY GOV. JIMMIE DAVIS - YouTube
▶ You Are My Sunshine by Gov Jimmie Davis, Scott Innes & Nelson Blanchard - LMHOF 2012 - YouTube
▶ Gene Autry: You Are My Sunshine - YouTube
You Are My Sunshine by Mississippi John Hurt - YouTube
See also Jerry Lee Lewis' original version for Sun Records--a different kind of classic...
