Grandpa Jones‘ toe-tappin’ countrypolitan “Hip Cat’s Weddin’” is one of Zero to 180’s recent discoveries:
“Hip Cat’s Weddin'”
Grandpa Jones & His Swingin’ Grandchildren
Recorded November 1960
Too little has been written about Boudleaux Bryant‘s clever composition and its fetching arrangement — virtually nothing, in fact. “I Don’t Love Nobody” b/w “Hip Cat’s Weddin’” sadly would be Jones’s sole release with His Swingin’ Grandchildren. Given the relatively small percentage of the world’s population that owns the original 45 or 1997’s 5-CD Everybody’s Grandpa anthology compiled by Germany’s Bear Family, how tragic that this sly send-up of hep cat culture has been essentially unheard for decades.
Cash Box gave this single a positive review in their November 26, 1960 edition:
Grandpa Jones (Monument 430)
(B-f) “I DON’T LOVE NOBODY”
(1:45) [G-J BMI — Arr. Jones]
The oldie is given a contagious
revamping by the lovable Grandpa and
with his “Swinging Grandchildren” he
gives it a rousing jubilation sendoff.
Has excellent spin value.
(B-f) “HIP CAT’S WEDDIN’”
(2:18) [Acuff-Rose BMI — Bryant]
This Boudeleaux Bryant ditty is
ideally suited for Jones’ comical
style. It’s a bouncy blueser; rates
consideration.
Thanks once again to PragueFrank for providiing the musician credits on a session that also produced “These Hills”; “Billy Yank and Johnny Reb” and the unreleased “Goodbye Reb” — although I am puzzled by the recording date of 21 February 1961 which is months after the Cash Box review above.
- Grandpa Jones: Vocal/Guitar/Banjo
- Harold Bradley: Guitar
- Ray Edenton: Guitar
- Hank Garland: Guitar
- Jerry Byrd: Steel Guitar
- Boots Randolph: Sax
- Floyd Cramer: Piano
- Buddy Harman: Drums
YouTube’s sole audio clip of “Hip Cat’s Weddin'” (posted in 2017) has only been “viewed” a total of 209 times, as of November 7, 2019. You and I can do something about that. Gratitude to WFMU’s Michael Shelley for giving this song several spins on the air.
Note: At this moment, a vendor on Ebay is selling this 45 for $14.99 (plus $4.53 S/H).
They Don’t Make Song Titles Like They Used To –
Grandpa Jones on King
(with streaming audio)
“There’s a Grave in the Wave of the Ocean” — 1945
“The Baldheaded End of the Broom” — 1948
“You’ll Make Our Shack a Mansion” — 1949
“Uncle Eph’s Got the Coon” — 1950
“Jennie, Get Your Hoe Cakes Done” — 1951
*
The Value of Vinyl
In 2017, someone paid $300 outright for 1958’s Sings His Greatest Hits LP by Jones, who appeared on the very first King Records release (using an alias), along with Merle Travis.
Brown’s Ferry Four –
The Original Country Supergroup
As journalist/writer Bruce Eder points out in Discogs‘ miniature biographical portrait:
“Based on their lineup alone, Brown’s Ferry Four was a country supergroup from the get-go, with an original membership consisting of Grandpa Jones, the Delmore Brothers, and Merle Travis. Though the group only existed for ten years, and almost never made any personal appearances or gave any concerts, they managed to become one of the most beloved country gospel groups through their radio broadcasts and the nearly four dozen sides they recorded for King Records between 1946 and 1952.”
King LP – 1963
