train songs rehashed

[rixflix]

She Caught the Katy (and left me a mule to ride).....Taj Mahal [tup] even the title rocks
Steel Rail Blues.....Hank Williams [tup] go to a lonesome bar, buy a beer, put a quarter in the slot and groove
Last Train to Clarksville.....The Monkees
Rainy Night in Georgia.....Brooke Benton [tup] very soulful
Midnight Train.....Spencer Davis Group.....so-so but check out their cover of Brenda Holloway's "Every Little Bit Hurts" [tup]
Freight Train Boogie.....Doc Watson
Alabama Bound ..... " "
Southbound..... " " Doc and friends can do a train song [tup] for these
Blue Railroad Train..... " "
The Wreck of Old Number 9 "
Wabash Cannonball.....Doc "
Mean Old Southern.....The Blues Project
Rock Island Line.....Leadbelly
Leavin' Memphis, Frisco Bound.....Jesse Fuller
The Monkey and the Engineer..... " " [tup] one man band Fuller leaves the engineer with a worried mind, and the dispatcher, and.....
Grand Central.....Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Wynton Kelly, et al
The Hobo Song.....Old and in the Way (J.Garcia & friends)
Hobo.....Linda Ronstadt
Panama Limited.....Tom Rush [tup] all-time guitarred train effects tune
Reuben's Train.....The Dillards.....maniacally fast mandolin from Dean Webb
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry.....Bob Dylan [tup] "Don't the brakeman look good ma, ridin' down the double E. Don't my gal look good ma, when she's after me."
Two Trains Running.....Paul Butterfield Blues Band
Train Time.....Cream
Last Steam Engine Train.....Leo Kottke
Clickety Clack.....Rahsaan Roland Kirk
Catch That Train.....John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers.....ever hear Mayall's torchy piano on "Marsha's Mood"? [tup]
Mystery Train..... " "
Streamline..... " "
Orange Blossom Special.....Nitty Gritty Dirt Band w/ Vassar Clements
Smokestack Lightning.....Yardbirds
Train Kept a'Rolling..... "
Midnight Special.....Johnny Rivers....at LA's Whiskey a Go Go !!!

Keep in mind that many of these tunes have been recorded by others and some of these are not by the principle artist. They were culled from about a third of my LP(yeah, yeah) collection last night and I'll post more later.The earlier poster was right; you could spend a long time digging this stuff up. Sort of like an Alan
Lomax lifetime mission thing, which reminds me that I've hardly begun with the Delta bluesmen.

I'm tired now, so see ya later.

Blessed be Jean Shepard in all His works.


Captain Video aka Rixflix

Over and Out!!!

[domefoamer]

So many train songs, so few trains to ride...
I don't think there's ever been a bad train song. What's so musical about a train? Everything! Diesel locomotives beat out a deep groove like nothing else but a Fender bass. Ride behind steam instead, and brushes keep the time on a hi-hat cymbal. One jazz tune puts both of those rhythms together, "Last Train Home" by Pat Metheny. The beat goes on and on without any breaks or flourishes, just like a piece of fine machinery. After several instrumental verses of sitar guitar and piano, a chorus of singers sweeps past like a passing train. The tune opens with an engine whistle and fades with a crossing bell. If you have even the slightest tolerance for jazz, it's a keeper. There other train songs thrughout jazz. Anybody remember some?
On a different note, I'll never forget a live Lynerd Skynrd concert (is that spelled right? Who cares?) in Memphis, during their heyday. The stage was set right in front of some tracks. As they played their big hit, "Free Bird," a fast freight barreled past from stage left to right. Whether a lucky break or a crafty showbiz trick, it was some of the best special effects I ever saw at a rock show!

[eolafan]

Try as I might, I just can't shake the "railroad song" in my mind that was the commercial for "Good 'N Plenty" candy..."Choo Choo Charlie was an engineer......love my Good 'N Plenty".

[Anonymous]

what about the LOCOMOTION by Little Eva also by Grand Funk Railroad[8D]

[cherokee woman]

Thanks Carl:

I had totally forgotten about "Locomotion".

"EVERYBODY'S DOING A BRAND NEW DANCE, COME ON BABY, DO THE LOCOMOTION'!

[rixflix]

country schmountry here's a returning thread.

[Anonymous]

I may not have the lyrics exactly right, but Bruce Springsteen's "Darkness On The Edge Of Town" starts like this--"Well we're still racing out at the trestles..."

The Blues Brothers' version of "She Caught The Katy" is darn good!!!

[jchnhtfd]

And of course there's the Kingston Trio's 'The Train that goes Tomorrow' if you want to get your head twisted gently (and humourously!).

[Anonymous]

"Life is a Mountain Railroad"

Gospel tune we picked up in a Mobile Chapel some years ago. We would butcher it by switching railroad terms to trucking terms cuz not all knows about trains. =)

Take care!

Lee