The Two Poor Boys

The Two Poor Boys were an American folk-blues duo, composed of Joe Evans and Arthur McLain (or McClain). Evans and McLain were performers, based in Tennessee.[1] The Two Poor Boys recorded between 1927 to 1931. Their songs typically featured Evans' laid-back vocals, with a musical approach based on “beautifully matched guitar and mandolin accompaniment”.[2] On some records, they are listed under the pseudonym, 'Colman and Harper'.

Collected songs

The Two Poor Boys: Complete Works (1927-1931) – 1991. Document Records
No. Title Length
1. "Little Son of a Gun (Look What You Done Done)" (recorded c. July 25, 1927 in Birmingham, Alabama) 2:50
2. "Two White Horses in a Line"   2:51
3. "John Henry Blues" (Take 1) 3:21
4. "John Henry Blues" (Take 3) 2:44
5. "New Huntsville Jail" (Take 1) 3:13
6. "New Huntsville Jail" (Take 2) 2:54
7. "Take a Look at That Baby"   3:14
8. "Mill Man Blues"   2:37
9. "Oh You Son of a Gun"   2:49
10. "Georgia Rose"   3:00
11. "Early Some Morning Blues"   2:38
12. "Cream and Sugar Blues"   2:37
13. "Old Hen Cackle"   2:42
14. "Sitting on Top of the World"   3:04
15. "My Baby Got a Yo-Yo"   3:01
16. "So Sorry Dear"   2:47
17. "Sourwood Mountain"   2:40
18. "Down in Black Bottom" (Take 1) 2:40
19. "Down in Black Bottom" (Take 2) 2:43
20. "Shook It This Morning Blues"   3:01

Tracks 2-13 recorded May 20, 1931; tracks 14-20 recorded May 21, 1931, in New York City.

References

  1. ^ D. K. Wilgus, ‘Hillbilly Music’, The Journal of American Folklore, Vol. 81, No. 320. (April–June 1968), pp. 179-185. available on-line
  2. ^ Paul Oliver, Songsters and Saints: Vocal Traditions on Race Records, (Cambridge University Press: 1984), p. 231.