Monthly Archives: February 2010

John Rankin to Demo Snoozer Style on March 18
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I’m excited that New Orleans guitarist John Rankin will be joining me on March 18 at the Louisiana State Museum for my presentation on Snoozer Quinn. John will be there to demonstrate some of the techniques that made Snoozer Quinn such a special, innovative guitar player for his time — such as palm harmonics, detuning, and right hand patterns. John is a longtime Snoozer fan — his mom introduced him to the Wiggs recordings in 1964.

Thanks to Allen Boudreaux for designing the lovely poster art for the March 18 presentation. A small poster-sized PDF can be downloaded here.

Snoozer Web Poster for March 18

Is Snoozer the guitarist on these Mart Britt recordings?
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In Brian Rust’s The Victor Master Book Vol. 2 [1969] he lists Mart Britt accompanying himself on guitar in a session from Feb. 9, 1928.

MART BRITT Vocal, Acc. by own guitar
Recorded in Memphis, TN, Feb. 9, 1928 in the Auditorium
41866-3 Tell Me, Sweet Rose – 21261
41867-2 Joe’s Barroom
41868-2 You Will Be Gone – 21261

Bogalusa Daily News p. 3 Feb. 26, 1928

I found an article in the Bogalusa Daily News, from Feb. 26, 1928, saying that:
“Eddie has made several records accompanied with Mart Britt, a vocalist, but has now been solicited by the Victor Company to make a series of records with his trusty banjo.”

I recently tracked down the 78 featuring these two songs. Any chance that we have more Snoozer on record, even as simple accompaniment, is worth investigation! And thanks to fellow New Orleanian and music lover Rob Hudak for digitizing these songs, I can now post them here for your listening pleasure. Any feedback is much appreciated!!!!

I have written off to the great Brian Rust for his opinion on the matter. I do not know what his original sources were. Hope I hear back!!!


Tell Me, Sweet Rose:

You Will Be Gone: