Long ago, in a university far away – well, North Wales – there was a loose accumulation of musicians that sometimes performed under a name that rather cheekily parodied that of a local Silver Band. Some 50 years on, Dave Higgen and David Harley somehow got back in touch, swapped some recordings, and eventually fell into recording and even occasionally writing together, through the wonders of internet communication. It seemed appropriate to relaunch as the New Prize Silver Jug Band. Other silver bands and jug bands are available.
“David Harley originally recorded this in a solo country blues style (not released commercially), but Dave pointed out that it would lend itself to a treatment closer to urban blues, and did most of the heavy lifting on the recording. David used his Gretsch resonator guitar for the slide part, but it does sound less country blues and more as if he’d washed his hands in Muddy Waters… To get that hybrid sound, Dave mixed the input from the internal transducer and from an external mic..”
(Note to anyone looking at this post in the Reader or on a phone you may need to visit the actual site to be able to view and listen to the music track)
Lyrics
Who Do You Think You Are
I came home last night, just about the break of day
She’s got her suitcase packed, just about to make her getaway
(ch) She said, well now baby, who do you think you are
You stayed out all night, don’t know what you came back for
Five long years my baby walked the line
Now she’s gone, long gone, since she found out I was playing double time
Down at the courthouse, fell down on my knees
Said I love you babe, won’t you forgive me please?
Wrote her a letter, wrote it on my knees
Babe I learned my lesson, won’t you come back please?
She wrote back, well now baby, who do you think you are
Got my eyes wide open, don’t know what I’d come back for
credits
Words, music, and vocal by David Harley.
David A. Harley 1949 – 2025
I like the style of this one, Jude. I wouldn’t take him back either! xx