[R.I.P.]. Jerry Jeff Walker

Heard it on the radio this morning, fittingly as I was driving around the ranch. Got to see him in numerous dancehalls: Luckenbach, Lajitas, Gruene, Albert, Bankersmith, Broken Spoke, Blanco's. Always a happy dude. He totally epitomized the phrase "I wasn't born in Texas but I got here as fast as I could."

One of the best afternoons of my life was randomly drinking a several few longneck Lonestars under an oak tree in Luckenbach, while he picked and sang and messed around with his harmonica. He was just totally down to earth, like you were sitting around with your buddies. Dude had stories, and thankfully he put a bunch down, and most to music.

This one hurts me a bit. "Just living my life easy come, easy go."

 

https://www.rollingstone.com/feature/viva-terlingua-jerry-jeff-walker-outlaw-country-772406/





"Little Bird" is probably my favorite song of his

 

Played some JJW on the boat this morning.

 

One of my favorite FU songs ever...

 

And since somebody has to play this, one of the most misunderstood songs ever, so here it is:

 

What a blow. I've been a fan since the 1960's. I saw him play at Sand Mountain, which was on Richmond in Montrose. Sand Mountain was an early place for folk music in Houston. A big old house were you sipped coffee while people like Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, and Jerry Jeff played and often stayed upstairs.

One night in 1967, probably the best night I had there, I was at a table with a girl I was dating, watching Jerry Jeff do a set. He said he had a new song, talked about it a little bit, and then played Mr Bojangles. We were entranced. It had to be right after he wrote it and while he was staying there. It was just before he left Houston to help put together Circus Maximus in the Village. He was wearing a black beret and telling stories between songs, of course.

This is a really bad year. It just got worse.

Spoiler

I knew a man Bojangles and he danced for you
In worn out shoes
Silver hair, a ragged shirt and baggy pants
The old soft shoe
He jumped so high
He jumped so high
Then he'd lightly touched down
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Dance
I met him in a cell in New Orleans I was
Down and out
He looked to me to be the eyes of age
As he spoke right out
He talked of life
He talked of life
He lightly slapped his leg instead
He said the name Bojangles and he danced a lick
Across the cell
He grabbed his pants for a better stance
He jumped so high
He clicked his heels
He let go a laugh
He let go a laugh
Shook back his clothes all around
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Dance
We danced for those at minstrel shows and county fairs
Throughout the south
We spoke in tears of fifteen years
How his dog and him
They travelled about
His dog up and died
He up and died
After twenty years he still grieves
They said I dance now at every chance and honky tonks
For drinks and tips
But most the time I spend behind these county bars
Cause I drinks a bit
He shook his head and as he shook his head
I heard someone ask please
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Dance
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles
Mr Bojangles

 

I don't know about him. Ive heard his name. Didn't know Mr. Bojangles was his. That song is obviously about a black man right? Ken Burns's country music documentary focuses pn how a lot of early country musicians were influenced by real life Bojangles types

 

I don’t think I know of a more beautiful song than mr. bojangles, I cry every time I hear it, Rest In Peace mr.walker.

 

Really hit me hard. Listened to him a lot in high school and some afterwards.

 

Took out my LP of Viva Terlingua and played it one last time in memory of Jerry Jeff. Saw him perform back in the 80's at the Amardillo World Headquarters.

 

RIP to a Texas legend. Don't care that he wasn't born here...his music was part of the "growing up Texan" experience. Glad I got to see him in Gruene around 20 years ago...just wish I had laid off the booze a bit more and remembered it more clearly.

So many good tunes...Mr. Bojangles, LA Freeway, Pissin' in the Wind, Gettin' By, Desperados Waiting for the Train, Sangria Wine...

 

Don't make it the last time. I still have my dad's Terlingua double album along with others from others, and that's something I'll never let go.